Racial Rhetoric

In the 1950’s the Civil Rights Movement would ignite, and blacks would unify under the philosophy of equality for all. As blacks fought for their rights, a wave of white resistance developed. White resistance came in many forms, ranging from social violence to political manipulation. In southern communities such as Greensboro, a new form of white resistance known as “progressive mystique” developed. “Progressive Mystique” allowed communities, such as Greensboro, to “maintain both a progressive liberal racial rhetoric and a conservative discriminatory racial order”. “Progressive mystique” incorporated the concepts of unanimous agreeability, hospitability to new ideas, civility, and “community responsibility towards the Negro” (8). The book Civilities and Civil Rights by William H. Chafe and the documents on Virginia Durr demonstrate the role and impact of “progressive mystique”.

In the 20th century, Greensboro, North Carolina was recognized for its “progressive outlooks, especially in industrial development, education and race relations” (4). As a progressive city, Greensboro allowed its blacks some educational and intellectual freedom. For example, individuals like Nell Coley and Vance Chavis openly announced their participation in the NAACP and advocated blacks to register for voting (24). This open exchange of ideas gave blacks a sense of power and ultimately led to gatherings with an agenda. At these gatherings, blacks began to demand: better job opportunities, decent housing, and quality equipment for schools (9). The ability for blacks to speak freely on their opinions is an example of progressive mystique, and the philosophy of hospitability to new ideas. As a result of this freedom, Greensboro’s blacks woul...

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...” (17). In this scenario, Virginia was forced to implement the ideologies of “progressive mystique” to maintain civility and agreeability with the conditions of the college. Virginia compromised her conservative ideologies concerning race and sat with the black girl at lunch, a progressive liberal racial ideal. This experience would impact the way Virginia Durr treated blacks. She was now more open to new ideas concerning race and exhibited more civility towards the black race.

In comparison to other cities in the South, Greensboro looked as though it was a progressive community. However, Greensboro was a gilded community covering up its conservative discriminatory racial order with some progressive liberal rhetoric. In Greensboro under the philosophy of “progressive mystique” it was more important to maintain social harmony than obtain racial equality.