W. Ralph Eubanks
Award-winning writer, scholar, and faculty fellow at the Center for the Study of Southern Culture; author of the book discussed in this episode, combining memoir, reporting, and history about the Mississippi Delta and its social and economic history.
Best podcasts with W. Ralph Eubanks
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Jan 7, 2026 • 1h 5min
W. Ralph Eubanks, "When It's Darkness on the Delta: How America's Richest Soil Became Its Poorest Land" (Beacon Press, 2026)
W. Ralph Eubanks, an award-winning writer and scholar, dives deep into the complex history of the Mississippi Delta, revealing its transformation from a flourishing economic hub to a region of poverty. He discusses how historical figures like Theodore G. Bilbo and community organizers like Calvin Head have shaped its story. Eubanks emphasizes the intertwined themes of racism, economic oppression, and grassroots resilience, offering a compelling portrait of the Delta as both a microcosm of American inequality and a place of enduring community spirit.
Jan 7, 2026 • 1h 5min
W. Ralph Eubanks, "When It's Darkness on the Delta: How America's Richest Soil Became Its Poorest Land" (Beacon Press, 2026)
W. Ralph Eubanks, an award-winning writer and scholar, delves into the complex history of the Mississippi Delta, a region often misrepresented as merely impoverished. He discusses the dynamic interplay between economic oppression and grassroots resilience, spotlighting figures like Gloria Carter Dickerson, who fought for desegregation. Eubanks also examines the lasting impacts of historical injustices, the myth-making surrounding the Delta, and the nuanced relationships between politics, race, and economic instability, providing a thought-provoking perspective on the region's legacy.
