The Rhetorical Road to Brown v. Board of Education: Elizabeth and Waties Waring's Campaign

In 1947, Black parents in rural South Carolina began seeking equal educational opportunities for their children. They challenged legally mandated segregation in public schools with a third lawsuit in 1950, which was eventually decided in Brown v. Board of Education. Elizabeth Avery Waring and her third husband, federal judge J. Waties Waring, launched a rhetorical campaign condemning white supremacy and segregation. Wanda Little Fenimore employs innovative research methods to recover the Warings speeches and reveals the terms upon which segregation was defended and the reasons those who opposed white supremacy remained silent. This multilayered story of social progress traces the symbolic battle that provided a locus for change in the landmark Supreme Court decision.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 260 pages
Publication date: 17 April 2023
Publisher: University Press of Mississippi

In the early 1940s, a determined group of Black parents in rural South Carolina embarked on a quest for equal educational opportunities for their children. Despite facing two unsuccessful lawsuits, these families refused to give up. In 1950, they took a bold step forward by filing a third lawsuit, known as Brown v. Board of Education. This landmark case challenged the legally mandated segregation in public schools, a system that had been in place for decades.

Amidst the ongoing resistance from Black parents, Elizabeth Avery Waring, a twice-divorced northern socialite, and her third husband, federal judge J. Waties Waring, took up the mantle of activism. Recognizing the urgent need for change, they launched a powerful rhetorical campaign condemning white supremacy and segregation. Through a series of speeches, the Warings exposed the stark contrast between American democratic ideals and the harsh reality faced by Black Americans in the Jim Crow South. They implored audiences to pressure elected representatives to force southern states to end legal segregation.

Wanda Little Fenimore, a historian, employs innovative research methods to recover the speeches delivered by the Warings. By delving into archives and using a range of sources, Fenimore uncovers the previously untold stories and the unspoken truths about white supremacy. The couple's audacious remarks, which challenged the notion of segregation and all men being created equal, sparked a fierce response from white supremacists. Their speeches received both damning and congratulatory letters, which provide valuable insights into the terms upon which segregation was defended and the reasons why those who opposed white supremacy remained silent.

Through meticulous research and compelling storytelling, Fenimore crafts an engaging narrative that illuminates the rhetorical context from which Brown v. Board of Education emerged. This multilayered story of social progress traces the symbolic battle that laid the foundation for the landmark Supreme Court decision. Fenimore dispels the notion that the decision was inevitable, highlighting the tireless efforts and sacrifices made by Black parents and activists who fought for equality.

Brown v. Board of Education marked a significant turning point in American history, symbolizing the end of legal segregation in public schools. It paved the way for greater racial equality and paved the way for future generations to pursue their dreams without fear of discrimination. The legacy of the Warings and their rhetorical campaign continues to inspire and empower individuals to stand up against injustice and work towards a more inclusive and just society.

Weight: 272g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781496843975