Lessons from Texas history for organizers today: "when [liberals] tried to moderate their appeals to the electorate and do something that they viewed as "electable" or centrist, they found they didn't have anyone who wanted that." So they went left, people got enthusiastic, and turned out to vote

Institute for Southern Studies@southernstudies.bsky.social · 4w ago

With a key U.S. Senate seat up for grabs, Texas progressives are hoping 2026 is the year they can break through. @chriskromm.bsky.social talks with a historian of the state's progressive political history, and what lessons those movements may have for today. www.facingsouth.org/2026/07/can-...

With a key U.S. Senate seat up for grabs, Texas progressives are hoping 2026 is the year they can break through. @chriskromm.bsky.social talks with a historian of the state's progressive political history, and what lessons those movements may have for today. www.facingsouth.org/2026/07/can-...

Can Texas go blue? A conversation with historian Max Krochmal

With a key U.S. Senate seat up for grabs, Texas progressives are hoping 2026 is the year they can break through. Facing South talks with a leading historian about the state's progressive political his...

facingsouth.org

Texas’s political history is more layered than its reputation suggests. In this new interview, historian Max Krochmal discusses how multiracial labor and civil rights coalitions helped reshape Texas politics in the 1960s and why those alliances still matter today.

Stacey Abrams warned Tennessee lawmakers that eliminating the state’s only Black-majority congressional district is part of a broader assault on Voting Rights Act protections. “Rigged maps” silence communities before votes are even cast. www.facingsouth.org/2026/05/voic...

VOICES: 'This is not democracy. This is cowardice.'

On May 6, 2026, former Georgia state representative and gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams testified before the Tennessee Senate Judiciary Committee in opposition to the state's

facingsouth.org

We spoke with Tram Nguyen of New Virginia Majority talks about the long, messy work of movement building that their organization did ahead of their success in the 2025 elections and that is needed to change the South as whole. Here is the full conversation: www.facingsouth.org/2025/12/tram...

@chriskromm.bsky.social writes that the Supreme Court’s ruling in Louisiana v. Callais could spark a new wave of redistricting across the South, threatening majority-Black districts and reshaping Black political power for decades to come. www.facingsouth.org/2026/05/supr...

Supreme Court sharpens divide between South's diverse communities and those who represent them

Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act aimed to ensure that diverse communities had political representation. The U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in Louisiana v. Callais threatens to increase the disconnect b...

facingsouth.org

After SCOTUS’ latest ruling further dismantling the Voting Rights Act, @southernstudies.bsky.social revisits this interview with @brennancenter.org's Eileen O’Connor on what it could mean for the future of voter protections and fair representation. Read/watch: www.facingsouth.org/2026/02/loui...

The share of Southern workers in unions slightly increased in 2025, mirroring a small uptick in unionization nationally, according to government data released in February. www.facingsouth.org/2026/04/unio...

Unions make slight gains in South, mirroring national trends

The share of Southern workers in unions slightly increased in 2025, mirroring a small uptick in unionization nationally, according to government data released in February.

facingsouth.org

Support fearless reporting and a powerful voice for change in the South — donate to our spring fundraiser today! www.facingsouth.org/defend-democ...

It's been 18 months since Hurricane Helene stormed through the South. Western North Carolina is still rebuilding, and meager federal funding and FEMA chaos has slowed the recovery. A by-the-numbers look by @chriskromm.bsky.social: www.facingsouth.org/2026/03/inst...

INSTITUTE INDEX: FEMA chaos and North Carolina's Helene recovery

18 months after Hurricane Helene stormed through the South, the recovery in western North Carolina is seeing progress. But federal support has been small compared to other disasters, and chaos at…

facingsouth.org

Sign up today for the Facing South newsletter, featuring in-depth investigations, thoughtful analysis, and voices for change across the South — delivered free to your inbox! www.facingsouth.org/sign-facing-...

The South's political clout is growing: @chriskromm.bsky.social looks at new data showing Southern states could gain up to 9 Congressional seats and Electoral College votes after the 2030 census count:

South’s national political clout projected to grow after 2030 census

New Census Bureau data suggests that population growth in Southern states will lead to significant gains in U.S. House seats and Electoral College votes after the 2030 census count. But the Trump…

facingsouth.org

This week's primaries made clear: Texas is a key battleground. The national importance of Texas and other Southern states is already growing. @chriskromm.bsky.social looks at new projections into the South's growing clout as we head towards the 2030 census: www.facingsouth.org/2026/03/sout...

South’s national political clout projected to grow after 2030 census

New Census Bureau data suggests that population growth in Southern states will lead to significant gains in U.S. House seats and Electoral College votes after the 2030 census count. But the Trump admi...

facingsouth.org

Who is making big money on ICE and Border Patrol contracts? In the 2nd installment in our series at Facing South, @chriskromm.bsky.social details 58 companies in Georgia that stand to receive $10 billion from 2025-2026 fiscal year contracts alone. www.facingsouth.org/2026/01/geor...

Georgia companies poised to bring in $10 billion from ICE and Border Patrol contracts

As public outrage mounts over federal immigration operations, new analysis shows a key Southern state is home to companies that could bring in more than $10 billion to assist Border Patrol and ICE.

facingsouth.org

NEW VIDEO: What does Duke owe Durham? Historian and urbanist @davarianbaldwin.bsky.social breaks down the role of universities like Duke and why they should invest more to support workers and communities. www.facingsouth.org/2025/10/watc...

WATCH: What does Duke owe Durham?

At a recent Institute forum, urbanist and historian Prof. Davarian Baldwin looked at the role of universities in their communities, and why institutions like Duke University should do more to invest i...

facingsouth.org

Southern states are being disproportionately hard-hit by the government shutdown. Analysis finds 8 of 20 states most affected are in the South, based on indicators including share of federal jobs and contract dollars per capita. More: wallethub.com/edu/governme...

🗳️Democracy is strongest when everyone has a voice. Last month we released the Blueprint for a Stronger Democracy — a bold plan to defend and expand democracy in NC. 40+ bipartisan policies to protect voting rights & ensure every voice counts. Learn more: www.southernstudies.org/2025Blueprint

This Founders’ Day, @durhamrising.bsky.social urges Duke to honor the workers — past & present — who keep the university running. The campaign demands higher wages & investment in Durham, challenging Duke’s history of resisting worker activism. www.facingsouth.org/2025/09/durh...

Durham Rising confronts Duke’s troubled labor history

A campaign launched this spring is calling on Duke University to raise wages and invest in the city of Durham. Over its history, the elite Southern school has earned a reputation for its hostility to ...

facingsouth.org

🚨 Democracy in NC and nationwide is under threat. Our new Blueprint for a Stronger Democracy outlines 40+ reforms to protect and strengthen our institutions. NC has a proud history of democratic innovation with proven, bipartisan solutions,w e can lead again. 👉 www.facingsouth.org/2025/09/nc-a...

NC advocates release 'Blueprint' to strengthen democracy

A group of 20 state and national advocates has released a report outlining a pro-democracy agenda for North Carolina. Issues range from voting access to combating corruption, protecting court independ...

facingsouth.org

So thrilled to be back in Durham to help strategize and build people power, so that our wealthiest local institutions truly lean into community responsibility beyond symbolic gestures...let's go ✊🏿!!!

Institute for Southern Studies@southernstudies.bsky.social · 11mo ago

What Does Duke Owe Durham? Join us Friday 9/26 at 2pm for a forum featuring @davarianbaldwin.bsky.social about how Duke University can support workers and the community. Visit here for more info and to RSVP: www.southernstudies.org/davarianbald... @durhamrising.bsky.social

What Does Duke Owe Durham? Join us Friday 9/26 at 2pm for a forum featuring @davarianbaldwin.bsky.social about how Duke University can support workers and the community. Visit here for more info and to RSVP: www.southernstudies.org/davarianbald... @durhamrising.bsky.social

“At approximately 7:05 am, University Police was notified of what appeared to be the body of a Black male hanging from a tree (at) central campus near the DSU pickleball course,” Delta State University Chief of Police Michael Peeler said on Monday.

DSU Student Found Hanging in Tree, No Foul Play Suspected

Delta State University staff found the body of 21-year-old student Demartravion “Trey” Reed hanging from a tree in the middle of campus on Monday.

buff.ly

A Georgia judge said this week he will toss racketeering charges against 61 "Cop City" protesters. For Facing South I interviewed attorney Devin Franklin at @thesoutherncenter.bsky.social about the flimsy state RICO charges when they were first brought two years ago @southernstudies.bsky.social

'The stakes are incredibly high': An interview with Devin Franklin on RICO charges against 'Cop City' activists

In late August, Georgia’s attorney general issued indictments under the state’s RICO statute targeting protesters against a planned new police and fire training center. An attorney with the Southern C...

facingsouth.org

Southern states will feel brunt of attacks on the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: 49% of complaints filed with CFPB since 2011 have come from 13 states in the South @ddayen.bsky.social @warren.senate.gov @southernstudies.bsky.social @crlonline.bsky.social www.facingsouth.org/2025/08/inst...

Institute Index: The assault on consumer protection

As the Trump administration escalates its efforts to gut the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, an Institute analysis finds that half of the complaints filed by consumers asking for the Bureau's he...

facingsouth.org

As the Trump administration escalates its efforts to gut the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, an Institute analysis finds that half of the complaints filed by consumers asking for the Bureau's help have come from Southern states. www.facingsouth.org/2025/08/inst...

Institute Index: The assault on consumer protection

As the Trump administration escalates its efforts to gut the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, an Institute analysis finds that half of the complaints filed by consumers asking for the Bureau's he...

facingsouth.org

This #LaborDay, we remember John Stewart, a Black sawmill worker in Arkansas who won a promotion, back pay, and legal costs with his union’s support—part of a wave of Black workers reclaiming wages, showing fairness at work is won through solidarity. www.facingsouth.org/eeoc-mandate...

EEOC: Mandate for Labor

facingsouth.org

@durhamrising.bsky.social is urging Duke to invest in its city & raise employee wages to $25/hr. Historian Davarian Baldwin says universities often worsen gentrification & inequality, and advocates PILOT programs to support schools, housing & public services. www.facingsouth.org/2025/08/what...

What do universities owe communities? An interview with Davarian Baldwin

At a critical moment for higher education, a leading urban scholar argues universities need to be doing more — not less — to support and invest in the communities where they are based.

facingsouth.org

On the 62nd anniversary of the March on Washington, we look back at a 2023 Facing South story, where photographer Earl Dotter reconnected with Raymona Middleton — first photographed there as a teenager— to reflect on the march’s enduring meaning. www.facingsouth.org/2023/08/marc...

Revisiting the March on Washington

On the sixtieth anniversary of the March for Jobs and Freedom, photojournalist Earl Dotter writes about reconnecting with Raymona Middleton, a third-generation Black Washingtonian whom he first met on...

facingsouth.org

📅 On this day in 1975, Joan Little became the 1st woman in U.S. history acquitted for using deadly force to resist sexual assault—killing a white guard in self-defense. In 1978, Southern Exposure revisited how her case reshaped racial & gender justice in the South. www.facingsouth.org/i-am-joan

I Am Joan

facingsouth.org

Today: North Carolinians protested at the legislature in Raleigh, speaking out against a number of bad bills that hurt immigrant and LGBTQ communities, attack diversity, and more. They called on lawmakers to uphold Governor Stein's vetoes of these harmful bills.