“Making the Appalachian South in Black and White” by Matt O’Neal What is “Appalachia”? Where is it? Who lives there? This talk will outline the creation of the Appalachian region in late-nineteenth century America and explain how it came prepackaged with assumptions about its racial and ethnic makeup. If we look beyond the myths surrounding …

Mississippi Day is an annual event for all community members to showcase the impact of the University of Mississippi across our region, state and the world. Join us as we celebrate the state of Mississippi and the university’s contributions to its culture, education, health care and economy through hands-on activities, demonstrations, food and much more. …

Gullah/Geechee Muslims: Identity, Memory and the Making of American History by Muhammad Fraser-Rahim In this SouthTalk, Dr. Muhammad Fraser-Rahim will discuss his work associated with his book Gullah Geechee Muslims in America: Exploring Islamic Identity in the African Diaspora. Through meticulous research, interviews, and documentation the book presents a unique and significant contribution to religious …

Praisesong for the Kitchen Ghosts: Food, Place, and the Ancestors Crystal Wilkinson In this SouthTalk, Crystal Wilkinson will discuss the role food plays in her writing. Drawing from material from her memoir Praisesong for the Kitchen Ghosts, she explores how food functions as inspiration, as a tie to one’s past, and as an important marker …

“‘Pigs in the Parlor’: The Legacy of Racial Zoning and Its Impact on Land Use Policies in the South” by Jade A. Craig Racial zoning was the preferred method of establishing residential segregation in the South in the early twentieth century until the US Supreme Court formally struck it down in 1917. In this SouthTalk, …