About the Entry

This three-part series examines the living legacy of historic racial segregation and desegregation in a former “oasis of tolerance and pragmatic gentility,” in one of the poorest, blackest areas of Mississippi.

• The anonymous town that was the model of desegregation in the Civil Rights era
• Most teachers claim we can’t learn because we don’t have resources like books
• What happens when two separate and unequal school districts merge?

Entry Credit

• Emrys Eller, Contributing Videographer, The Hechinger Report
• LynNell Hancock, Contributor, The Hechinger Report
• Nicole Lewis, Contributor, The Hechinger Report

Comments from the Judges

“Startling look by Hechinger at the ups and downs of integration/segregation in MS. Plus, the way it includes video with this series is really impressive.”

“Great use of details, characters, story structure set in historical context. Excellent and revealing read.”

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