Practical Symbolic Interactions in the Shrine of the South: Conversations with a Damn Yankee

Practical Symbolic Interactions in the Shrine of the South: Conversations with a Damn Yankee explores how Lexington-Rockbridge, VA, community sentiments towards Southern symbols like the Confederate Battle Flag and Robert E. Lee are not necessarily reducible to a racial divide. Data shows that most black and white respondents navigate a social balance between conservation and progress to unite as a community, challenging conventional paradigms. The controversy over Southern symbols may be overrepresented as a social problem for the many in the middle.

Format: Hardback
Length: 230 pages
Publication date: 15 January 2023
Publisher: Lexington Books

Practical Symbolic Interactions in the Shrine of the South: Conversations with a Damn Yankee delves into the complex dynamics of community sentiment towards Southern symbols in Lexington-Rockbridge, VA. John F. Cataldi employs data to reveal that the attitudes of both black and white respondents towards these symbols are nuanced and multifaceted, defying simple categorizations based on race. Instead, Cataldi suggests that most individuals navigate a delicate social balance between the extremes of conservation and progress, seeking ways to coexist and unite as a community rather than perpetuate division based solely on symbolic ideology. These resilient individuals actively seek common ground through pleasant and productive interactions, demonstrating a commitment to fostering understanding and harmony within their community.

These findings challenge prevailing sociological paradigms and expand the discourse on tolerance and situational context within communities that daily encounter Confederate symbols. Cataldi argues that while the controversy surrounding Southern symbols may be amplified by those at ideological extremes, it may be overrepresented as a social issue affecting the majority of community members who reside in the middle ground.

In conclusion, Practical Symbolic Interactions in the Shrine of the South: Conversations with a Damn Yankee offers a insightful exploration of the nuanced and multifaceted attitudes towards Southern symbols in Lexington-Rockbridge, VA. Through data-driven analysis, Cataldi challenges the notion of a racial divide and highlights the efforts of individuals to navigate a social balance between conservation and progress, fostering unity and understanding within their community. This book contributes to a broader understanding of the complexities surrounding symbols and their impact on society, offering valuable insights for policymakers, educators, and community members alike.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781666923698