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Rediscovering the Fisk University Library of Congress Coahoma County Study 1941

Logan Cox

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Published in Lost Delta Found: Rediscovering The Fisk University Library Of Congress Coahoma County Study 1941 1942

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In the summer of 1941, a team of researchers from Fisk University and the Library of Congress descended upon Coahoma County, Mississippi, to document the lives and culture of African Americans in the rural South. The resulting study, known as the Fisk University Library of Congress Coahoma County Study, is a treasure trove of information on African American history, Southern history, and the New Deal era. This article rediscovers the study and its significance, and explores the ways in which it can be used to teach about American history.

Background

The Fisk University Library of Congress Coahoma County Study was one of a series of studies conducted by the Library of Congress during the 1930s and 1940s to document the lives and culture of Americans from all walks of life. The studies were part of the Library of Congress Folklore Project, which was established in 1938 to collect and preserve American folklore and folklife. The Coahoma County Study was the first study in the series to focus on African Americans.

Lost Delta Found: Rediscovering the Fisk University-Library of Congress Coahoma County Study, 1941-1942

by Kevin White

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Language	:	English
File size	:	67123 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
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Print length	:	341 pages

The study was led by John Lomax, a renowned folklorist and collector of American folk songs. Lomax was joined by his son, Alan Lomax, who was also a folklorist and musician. The team also included Zora Neale Hurston, a novelist and anthropologist who was born in Coahoma County. Hurston assisted the Lomaxes with collecting oral histories and other ethnographic data.

Methodology

The Fisk University Library of Congress Coahoma County Study was conducted over a period of several weeks. The team of researchers interviewed over 200 African Americans in Coahoma County, including farmers, sharecroppers, teachers, preachers, and musicians. They also collected photographs, songs, and other materials. The study's methodology was groundbreaking for its time, and it remains a valuable resource for scholars and educators today.

Findings

The Fisk University Library of Congress Coahoma County Study provides a rich and detailed portrait of African American life in the rural South in the early 20th century. The study's findings cover a wide range of topics, including:

The economic and social conditions of African Americans in Coahoma County
The role of education and religion in the lives of African Americans
The musical traditions of African Americans in Coahoma County
The impact of the New Deal on African Americans in Coahoma County

The study's findings are not always easy to read, but they are essential for understanding the history of African Americans in the United States. The study provides a firsthand account of the challenges and triumphs that African Americans faced during this period of time, and it offers valuable insights into the ways in which African Americans have shaped American society.

Significance

The Fisk University Library of Congress Coahoma County Study is a significant historical document that sheds light on the lives of African Americans in the rural South in the early 20th century. The study's findings are still relevant today, and they can be used to teach about American history, race relations, and the New Deal era. The study is also a valuable resource for scholars and educators, and it has been used in zahlreichen publications and documentaries.

Rediscovering the Study

The Fisk University Library of Congress Coahoma County Study was largely forgotten for many years. However, in recent years, there has been a renewed interest in the study. In 2009, the study was published in book form for the first time. The book, entitled "Rediscovering the Fisk University Library of Congress Coahoma County Study 1941," includes the original transcripts of the interviews, as well as photographs, songs, and other materials collected by the team of researchers. The book is a valuable resource for scholars and educators, and it has helped to bring the study to a wider audience.

Using the Study in the Classroom

The Fisk University Library of Congress Coahoma County Study can be used in a variety of ways to teach about American history. The study can be used to teach about African American history, Southern history, and the New Deal era. The study can also be used to teach about race relations, folklore, and oral history. The study is a valuable resource for teachers and students, and it can help to bring the past to life.

The Fisk University Library of Congress Coahoma County Study is a valuable historical document that sheds light on the lives of African Americans in the rural South in the early 20th century. The study's findings are still relevant today, and they can be used to teach about American history, race relations, and the New Deal era. The study is also a valuable resource for scholars and educators, and it has been used in numerous publications and documentaries. The study is a reminder of the importance of preserving our history, and it is a testament to the power of collaboration between scholars and the communities they study.