University of Louisville ThinkIR: The University of Louisville's Institutional Repository Electronic Theses and Dissertations 5-2018 'Where history meets the future' : a historiographic exploration of Mississippi : the view from Tougaloo. Khirsten L. Echols University of Louisville Follow this and additional works at: https://ir.library.louisville.edu/etd Part of the English Language and Literature Commons, and the Rhetoric and Composition Commons Recommended Citation Echols, Khirsten L., "'Where history meets the future' : a historiographic exploration of Mississippi : the view from Tougaloo." (2018). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 2899. https://doi.org/10.18297/etd/2899 This Doctoral Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by ThinkIR: The University of Louisville's Institutional Repository. It has been accepted for inclusion in Electronic Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of ThinkIR: The University of Louisville's Institutional Repository. This title appears here courtesy of the author, who has retained all other copyrights. For more information, please contact [email protected]. ‘WHERE HISTORY MEETS THE FUTURE’: A HISTORIOGRAPHIC EXPLORATION OF MISSISSIPPI: THE VIEW FROM TOUGALOO By Khirsten L. Echols B.A., Tougaloo College, 2012 M.A., University of Alabama, 2014 A Dissertation Submitted to the Faculty of the College of Arts and Sciences of the University of Louisville in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy In English/Rhetoric and Composition Department of English University of Louisville Louisville, Kentucky May 2018 Copyright 2018 by Khirsten L. Echols All rights reserved ‘WHERE HISTORY MEETS THE FUTURE’: A HISTORIOGRAPHIC EXPLORATION OF MISSISSIPPI: THE VIEW FROM TOUGALOO By Khirsten L. Echols B.A., Tougaloo College, 2012 M.A., University of Alabama, 2014 A Dissertation Approved on April 6, 2018 by the following Dissertation Committee: ___________________________ Carol Mattingly, PhD Chair ___________________________ Andrea Olinger, PhD ___________________________ David Anderson, PhD ___________________________ Carmen Kynard, PhD ii DEDICATION This dissertation is dedicated to my late great-grandmother, Willie Mae Brooks. iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Hail to thee, our Alma Mater; Dear to us thou art; Sun and moon and stars beloved Bless thy loving heart. Tougaloo, Eagle Queen, we love thee; Mother Eagle, Stir thy nest; Rout thine eaglets to the breezes; They enjoy the test. Hero cannot love his country More than we love thee; Though he die upon the altar, We would die for thee. For thine inspiration, Mother Though thy sons depart, For the rainbows end forever We will bless thy heart. - Jonathan Henderson Brooks ʼ29 I am indebted to many people for their assistance as I worked through the many cities, courses, processes, and stages that allowed this project to come to fruition. As is always true, when one tries to thank each and every individual independently, there is at least one person who was important left out of the thank you’s. That considered, I want to acknowledge all who intentionally and/or unintentionally contributed to this journey. Your contributions are appreciated. The Tougaloo College family, community, and staff were very integral to the completion of this project. To Mr. Tony Bounds and Mrs. Minnie Watson, your hours of archival assistance are greatly appreciated. This project could not have been completed without generous funding support from the University of Louisville’s English Department, Graduate Student Council, and College of Arts and Sciences and the National Endowment for Humanities. To my family, friends, and loved ones—Thanks for your support, understanding, and flexibility as I pursued my passions. It was your support through spoken and silent prayers and undying encouragement that sustained my completion of this chapter of my journey. To my mother, Katrenia Rossell—Your constant willingness to understand new ways to see the world and yourself has pushed me to be the woman and scholar I am today. Although I haven’t always understood every method you’ve taken on in your parenting, I find myself appreciating them as I learn more about you and myself. You were the first fiery feminist, culturally-driven educator I knew. Perhaps unbeknownst to you, your iv intellectual prowess may not have been honed in a university, but you introduced me to so much, and I appreciate you greatly. I’m sure 28 years ago you didn’t imagine all of this for my life, but just remember, I am, because you are. I love you, ma. To my granny, Earline Rossell—Thank you for everything! Your wake-up calls, check- ins, saving me from parking tickets and overdue books, and so much more. I know that I wouldn’t have made it through each step without you. To my dad, James E. Jones, Jr.—You’ve held it down for our family for a long time, and I appreciate you. Thinking back on when you came into my in the late-1990s, I didn’t understand the extent of the impact you would have on my life. The countless hours of working on school projects to brainstorming new business ideas over the years have motivated me in ways that I can’t express fully. Thanks for loving and support me through everything, Pumpkin. To my beloved Spencer—When I moved to Kentucky for doctoral studies, you told me that if we made it through this time, we could make it through anything. I think it’s safe to say, we made it! Thank you for your support, understanding, and cooperation when I was impossible to get along with during the many hours of stringent reading, writing, researching, and traveling. Thank you for listening to me read every draft and every chapter aloud. Thank you for growing with me in love and see the beauty in my conversations, criticisms, curls, curves, and cries. I love you always, and in all ways. To Dr. Carol Mattingly—I wouldn’t have been able to complete this project without your guidance and support. In fact, there wouldn’t be a project without you. Your devotion to my success is so appreciated. Much love. To Dr. Andrea Olinger—Thank you for always being so attentive to my work and ideas. Thank you for being you, always. Much love. To Dr. David Anderson—I am grateful that I had the courage to ask you to join my committee. Your contributions, questions, and conversations really pushed me to think through this project and its future. Thank you. Much love. To Dr. Carmen Kynard—You the realest. Always. And in all ways. Words can’t adequate describe how much you’ve inspired my work. Thank you for your work, your light, and your support. Much love. To my brothers, Kylan and Kameron Echols—Thanks for always holding me accountable and helping me remain balanced. Y’all motivate me daily. May our bond never be broken. I love y’all forever and a day. To my nieces, Khloé and Allie Grace, and nephew, Jaylen—Thanks for giving my heart a joy I never knew possible. May this project and all the times we share be a source of inspiration for you all. v To my goddaughter, JaMya—Thank you for reminding me of the simplicity of love and a smile. May your #blackgirlmagic continue to shine for the world to see, my dear. To Dr. Candice Love Jackson—Thank you for everything. Truly. You told me I was going to graduate school in 2008 when I had no idea what graduate school or a PhD meant or required. I will always be your student, and you my mentor. Much love. To Dr. Trudier Harris—Thanks you for your guidance and support. Thank you for stepping in whenever I need you and offering your feedback in ways that only you can. Much love. To Briana—Thanks for motivating me and praying for and with me. We pushed each other through the valleys and mountains of the last few years and I’m grateful for every experience. Much love Dr. Whiteside. To Lou—We pushed each other through this journey, and we are definitely better for it. Collective rage and pain around graduate school allowed our paths to cross…and the collective gains of our accountability writing and charting new paths with DBLAC allowed us to make it. Thanks for always keeping it real. Much love Dr. Louis Maraj. To the Scott family—Thank you (immediate and extended family) for riding along on this journey and being supportive. Ms. Lavita, your prayers, encouragement, and laughter were felt and appreciated. To Ashley and LJ Molden—Thanks for your unwavering friendship and support. You both and your families (Carpenter and Molden) have become my family over the last decade and I am grateful for the love and memories we have shared. My many research trips to Tougaloo and our alumni conversations and reflections gave this project new dimensions. Much love. To the Paige and Dease family—Thank you all for always loving and supporting me. You all trusted me with your most precious Paige girls and from there the family ties were born and continue to thrive. I would not have been able to complete the research necessary for this project without your help during visits and encouragement along the way. Bria, Kellyn, and Amber, I hope I have inspired you all as much as you all have inspired me to stay motivated and grounded in excellence. Much love. To Symone—Thank you for listening and coming to visit me during this program. Our ten-year friendship has gotten me through so much and I couldn’t ask for a better friend and sister. I know you’re not one for many words, but I appreciate you deeply. Much love. To my Curl Sistas (LaDaryl, Adrienne, Jika, Tamera, Andrea)—Our group message got me through this dissertation and so much more.