"Of Some Importance, but Uneven and Limited:" External Support for the Local Civil Rights Action in Tennessee's Haywood and Fayette Counties, 1959-1963

Abstract

Rural blacks in Fayette and Haywood counties began participating in local elections by registering to vote in 1959. Within a year, both counties' minority white popularly set up an economic boycott to drive out to politically active black families. While waiting for federal court action, several small tent communities were established to house evictees. Press coverage and activists travelling beyond west Tennessee encouraged commodity and financial support, which arrived from many groups around the country. This paper considers the variety of contributors and the importance of their aid in the overall movement.