Unlearning the Hush: Oral Histories of Black Female Educators in Mississippi in the Civil Rights Era

Despite significant challenges and historical opposition, Black female teachers stood at the forefront of advocating for and providing education to Black students. Their dedication not only improved opportunities for Black communities but also influenced changes in U.S. laws and societal expectations. Marlee S. Bunch draws on oral histories to illuminate the interior lives of Black female educators who taught before and after desegregation in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. In their own voices, these women detail the hurdles they faced guiding students through Jim Crow laws and Civil Rights–era desegregation. Bunch unearths the personal stories of teaching and activism during a historic time that included the Brown v. Board of Education decision and whites’ massive resistance to desegregation. The educators highlight the significance of the Black community and the role of Black homes in fostering student success and community cohesion. In addition, Bunch looks at the legacies of Black educators and the work still to be done. Visual artwork and poetry complement the text. Inspiring and immersive, Unlearning the Hush blends personal memory with Civil Rights history to document the pivotal role Black women played in education during a transformative and charged period in American history.

1147315296
Unlearning the Hush: Oral Histories of Black Female Educators in Mississippi in the Civil Rights Era

Despite significant challenges and historical opposition, Black female teachers stood at the forefront of advocating for and providing education to Black students. Their dedication not only improved opportunities for Black communities but also influenced changes in U.S. laws and societal expectations. Marlee S. Bunch draws on oral histories to illuminate the interior lives of Black female educators who taught before and after desegregation in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. In their own voices, these women detail the hurdles they faced guiding students through Jim Crow laws and Civil Rights–era desegregation. Bunch unearths the personal stories of teaching and activism during a historic time that included the Brown v. Board of Education decision and whites’ massive resistance to desegregation. The educators highlight the significance of the Black community and the role of Black homes in fostering student success and community cohesion. In addition, Bunch looks at the legacies of Black educators and the work still to be done. Visual artwork and poetry complement the text. Inspiring and immersive, Unlearning the Hush blends personal memory with Civil Rights history to document the pivotal role Black women played in education during a transformative and charged period in American history.

14.95 Pre Order
Unlearning the Hush: Oral Histories of Black Female Educators in Mississippi in the Civil Rights Era

Unlearning the Hush: Oral Histories of Black Female Educators in Mississippi in the Civil Rights Era

Unlearning the Hush: Oral Histories of Black Female Educators in Mississippi in the Civil Rights Era

Unlearning the Hush: Oral Histories of Black Female Educators in Mississippi in the Civil Rights Era

eBook

$14.95 
Available for Pre-Order. This item will be released on October 7, 2025

Available on Compatible NOOK devices, the free NOOK App and in My Digital Library.
WANT A NOOK?  Explore Now

Related collections and offers


Overview

Despite significant challenges and historical opposition, Black female teachers stood at the forefront of advocating for and providing education to Black students. Their dedication not only improved opportunities for Black communities but also influenced changes in U.S. laws and societal expectations. Marlee S. Bunch draws on oral histories to illuminate the interior lives of Black female educators who taught before and after desegregation in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. In their own voices, these women detail the hurdles they faced guiding students through Jim Crow laws and Civil Rights–era desegregation. Bunch unearths the personal stories of teaching and activism during a historic time that included the Brown v. Board of Education decision and whites’ massive resistance to desegregation. The educators highlight the significance of the Black community and the role of Black homes in fostering student success and community cohesion. In addition, Bunch looks at the legacies of Black educators and the work still to be done. Visual artwork and poetry complement the text. Inspiring and immersive, Unlearning the Hush blends personal memory with Civil Rights history to document the pivotal role Black women played in education during a transformative and charged period in American history.


Product Details

ISBN-13: 9780252048319
Publisher: University of Illinois Press
Publication date: 10/07/2025
Series: Transformations: Womanist studies
Sold by: Barnes & Noble
Format: eBook
Pages: 226
File size: 26 MB
Note: This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Marlee S. Bunch is an educator, author, and scholar.

Table of Contents

Cover

Title Page

Copyright

Dedication

Contents

Companion Website

Visual Art and Poets

Foreword

Poetic Reflection by Ariana Benson

Preface and Origin Story

Acknowledgments

Poetic Reflection by Mary Ruefle

Chapter 1. “Everybody Knows about Mississippi”

Poetic Reflection by Evie Shockley

Historical Vignette by Christopher M. Span

Poetic Reflection by Ariana Benson

Chapter 2. The Wisdom of Elders

Poetic Reflection by Emily Pettit

Historical Vignette by Christopher M. Span

Poetic Reflection by Nate Marshall

Chapter 3. Unwavering Determination

Poetic Reflection by Jordan Stempleman

Historical Vignette by Christopher M. Span

Poetic Reflection by Maxine Chernoff

Chapter 4. Love Is Resistance

Poetic Reflection by Cole Swensen

Historical Vignette by Christopher M. Span

Poetic Reflection by Stanley E. Banks

Chapter 5. Legacies and Artifacts

Poetic Reflection by Ashley M. Jones

Historical Vignette by Christopher M. Span

Poetic Reflection by Jordan Stempleman

Epilogue: Listening to the Lessons

Poetic Reflection by Claudia Rankine

Audio Poems

Poetic Reflection by Michelle Taransky

Abbreviations and People List

Notes

Bibliography

Index

Back Cover

From the B&N Reads Blog

Customer Reviews