First published 2020
Since Republicans gained complete control of North Carolina's government in 2013, the state has experienced unprecedented political transformation. Timothy B. Tyson documents how Republican lawmakers pursued an ultra-conservative agenda that The New York Times called "North Carolina's pioneering work in bigotry." The all-white Republican caucuses launched what Tyson describes as the most aggressive campaign against people of color and low-income citizens in fifty years. Their targets expanded to include women's rights and LGBTQ+ citizens, culminating in attacks on fundamental constitutional principles. Tyson argues this represents more than typical political maneuvering. North Carolina faces a battle for its democratic identity, with implications extending far beyond state borders. Other states have adopted the "North Carolina playbook," making this struggle a test case for American liberty and equality. The book features contributions from Rev. William Barber, who led the Moral Monday Movement, providing insider perspective on the resistance efforts that emerged in response to these political changes.
Genres: political-science, politics, 21st-century, social-justice, activism, american-history
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: political-drama, resistance, social-commentary
Setting: North Carolina
Period: 2013-present
224 pages · Kindle Edition · Blair
Content warnings: homophobia, racism, sexism