Throughout history, some high-profile incidents in Nashville and the surrounding area have played a pivotal role in the struggle for racial equality in the United States.
In 1946, a violent uprising in Columbia, Tenn., led to national attention and a court case that historians say was the first time the legal system was used by Black defendants in the Civil Rights Movement. Then, in the late ’50s and early ’60s, three bombings in Nashville kicked off a nationwide campaign of violence in opposition to the movement.
Today, we speak with historian and author Betsy Phillips about her new book, “Dynamite Nashville: Unmasking the FBI, the KKK, and the Bombers Beyond Their Control,” which pieces together what really happened and who was involved in the three Nashville bombings. We’ll also speak with historians Dr. Learotha Williams, Jr. and Linda Wynn about the most recent white supremacist march through downtown Nashville and the connection to the racially motivated violence of Nashville’s past.
GUESTS:
- Betsy Phillips | Historian and author, “Dynamite Nashville: Unmasking the FBI, the KKK, and the Bombers Beyond their Control”
- Dr. Learotha Williams, Jr. | Professor of African American and Public History at Tennessee State University; Coordinator of North Nashville Heritage Project
- Linda Wynn | Historian and co-founder, Nashville Conference on African American Culture & History; Assistant Director for State Programs, Tennessee Historical Commission; Former history professor at Fisk University
Today’s show was produced by Mary Mancini.
FURTHER LISTENING AND READING
- This Is Nashville: “Remembering the life and legacy of Z. Alexander Looby”
- Video footage of Looby’s home after the bombing
- NashVillager podcast: “Preserving civil rights history”
- Nashville Scene: “Nashville Leaders Condemn White Nationalist March on Fourth of July Weekend Members of far-right hate group”
On Air - 90.3 WPLN-FM