Wading in

More about the book

Focusing on the historical context of Black life in Biloxi, the narrative traces the fight for desegregation of beaches and schools, beginning with the arrival of slave ships in 1721. The book highlights Dr. Gilbert Mason, a key civic leader, who mobilized local activists against racial segregation in 1955 amidst a climate of violence and repression. Through archival research and survivor interviews, it details grassroots efforts that contributed to the desegregation of Mississippi's beaches and schools, establishing Mason as a significant figure in the civil rights movement.