South Of Freedom Sparknotes

South of Freedom by Carl T. Rowan examines the experiences a young African American man traveling around the American South in the 1950’s. Carl Rowan, a man employed by The Minneapolis Tribune set out around the American South for 10 years reporting on his personal experiences of how segregation and racism were affecting the south differently than the north. The social mores and southern tradition of slavery led to a culture of people who refused to change and grow with their evolving country. South of Freedom shares an insight into a culture of people who acted out of hate and fear of “different”. While some readers might say that Carl Rowan’s accounts are one sided, and are selectively negative experience he had while visiting the south, South of Freedom also gives examples of everyday people going against the social norm and acting out of human kindness, and thought these examples were small, personal interactions the author had with

individuals, they are just as powerful in telling the complex story of racism in the 1950’s.
One of his first encounters, not yet being completely in the South, involved him checking into the Plaza hotel in Washington, D.C.

To make sure his reservation would be held fully, He called not once, but twice for conformation. However, upon arriving at the hotel, the bellboy “took my bags and made no effort to conceal his surprise” (Rowan 60). Also, after being stared at in all directions by other residents. It slowly became clear that he was not welcomed to stay at this Hotel. He spoke with the receptionist but she insisted there were no rooms available. Even after stating his situation and a few more minutes of disagreement, they turned him away. While this is not an example of blatant racism, it still demonstrates the Jim Crow regulations set in place even somewhere like Washington, D.C. Even the bellboy, being black himself, makes a comment towards Rowan saying, “I thought you were crazy when you stopped here” (Rowan 61), which gives a clear example on how common it was for blacks to be welcome into the same place as

whites.
I do agree that along his journey, Rowan encountered the evils and unpleasantries of racism time and time again. However, though few and far between, he was met with kindness and acceptance. While in South Carolina reporting near a Klan rally happening in Aiken, Rowan stopped for food near a diner in Charleston. The place was heavily crowded with white people and only white people. There was one Jim Crow table available and he took it reluctantly. This did however mean he got to eat right away without waiting like others. His server came up to his table and right as she was going to pull the curtain to separate his table from the rest of the diner, a voice yelled, “Don’t pull that curtain!” (Rowan 86). A white navy patrolman commanded the waitress to leave the curtain, and even after she argued it was the law in South Carolina to close them when eating, the man would not let her do it. Most people, including Rowan, were shocked by this man’s actions. He didn’t hesitate in exchanging conversation with Rowan and continued until they were both finished eating. I find it interesting that racism and prejudice appeared not solely based on location. He experienced hate in northern areas as well as southern locations. Overall, Rowans journey helped him figure out not just what prejudice was experienced but why these people were stuck in this mindset and refused to change the way they thought. Rowan discovered some people continuously refused to not change while some never experienced anything but this way of life, never knowing it was wrong.