JACKSON, MISS. – October 26, 2021 – Mississippi Folklife, an online journal documenting the state’s folklife and cultural heritage, has published a new exhibit focused on the civil rights movement in the state titled, “Folklife and the Civil Rights Movement in Mississippi.” The exhibit is now available online at www.mississippifolklife.org/exhibits.  A series of essays and accompanying photos, the exhibit highlights traditional artists and communities whose work commemorates the legacy of the civil rights movement. The exhibit explores the intersection of traditional arts, folklife and civil rights history through visual art, performance, celebration, reunion and activism. It includes the following essays:

• “An Artist Yet: The Possibility of M.B. Mayfield” – Dr. B. Brian Foster explores the work and life of painter M.B. Mayfield.

• “Keeping the Civil Rights Movement Alive: Black Spring Break” – Dr. Constance Bailey celebrates the Gulf Coast’s Black Spring Break and further expresses the importance of black recreation in Civil Rights History.

• “Jerry Jenkins on the Djembe, an Instrument for Education and Uplift” – Kumasi McFarland and Maria Zeringue discuss Jerry Jenkins’ use of traditional West African drums to reconnect African Americans to their heritage.

• “Victory Day in Port Gibson” – Dr. Dave and Patty Crosby’s exhilarating photo essay documents the origins of Victory Day, a celebration honoring a long-fought victory against oppression in Claiborne County.

• “Doris Derby: The Lifework of an Activist and Artist” – Dr. Robert Luckett presents to us the incredible life of Dr. Doris Derby, a photographer, teacher, and activist who documented the movement in Mississippi and brought arts and education to the disenfranchised.

• “The Mule Train Collection” – Betty Crawford and Connie Rudolph highlight Crawford’s awesome commemoration of the historic Mule Train journey through various artistic mediums.

• “The Sunflower County, Mississippi Civil Rights Reunions” – Dr. Stacy White’s expansive photo essay details her family’s experiences during Freedom Summer and the seven reunions that were organized by her and a group of civil rights veterans to reconnect with the brave volunteers.

• “Civil Rights and Civil Wrongs: Reflections on the B. B. King Blues Cotton Sack” – Dr. J. Janice Coleman focuses on the activist side of B.B. King and beautifully describes the quilt she created to bring to light this lesser celebrated aspect of the famous blues musician.

• “All We Have Are Our Memories: Bobby Whalen and Art in the Civil Rights Movement” – Maria Zeringue and Kumasi McFarland celebrate the work of traditional artist and musician Bobby Whalen.

• “Willie King’s “Struggling Blues” – Scott Barretta expounds upon the life of Willie King and the evolution of his political voice in his music.

• “Generational Courage” – Through text and video, Dr. Wilma Mosley Clopton explores the values and traditions of organizing and activism that are passed down within families.

• “Hands Up, Don’t Shoot: Ancestral Quilting for the Future” – Addie Citchens and Maria Zeringue delve into the work of Dail Chambers, a multi-faceted artist and quilter whose work not only commemorates the movement but expands it through sustainability and love of the Earth.

This exhibit is the third from Mississippi Folklife’s newly launched exhibits webpage as part of a new initiative to expand the programming offered online. The exhibit was edited by Addie Citchens and Maria Zeringue.

This project is generously supported by the Mississippi Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts. 

Visit the “Folklife and Civil Rights Movement in Mississippi” exhibit at www.mississippifolklife.org/exhibits.

Contact:  Maria Zeringue | Folk and Traditional Arts Director | mzeringue@arts.ms.gov | (601) 359-6034