Turning South Again: Re-Thinking Modernism/Re-Reading Booker T.

**Unearth the Complexities of Black Modernism in the American South: A Revisionist Journey with Houston A. Baker, Jr.'s "Turning South Again"** Delve into the heart of African American intellectual history with Houston A. Baker, Jr.'s groundbreaking work, "Turning South Again: Re-Thinking Modernism/Re-Reading Booker T." This isn't just another book; it's a profound re-evaluation of black modernism, centered firmly within the often-overlooked landscape of the American South. Baker, a distinguished and award-winning essayist, poet, and scholar of African American literature, challenges conventional wisdom and offers a compelling, revisionist account of the struggle for black identity and progress in the United States. Forget the simplistic narratives. "Turning South Again" dares to explore the nuanced and often contradictory role of figures like Booker T. Washington and institutions like the Tuskegee Institute. Baker's perspective here marks a significant departure from his earlier work, "Modernism and the Harlem Renaissance," presenting a more critical and complex understanding of Washington's legacy. He doesn't shy away from the difficult questions, examining how even institutions designed to uplift black communities could, in some ways, perpetuate systems of control and regulation. Baker masterfully blends historical analysis with psychoanalysis, personal memoir, and critical engagement with whiteness studies. He argues that the South, with its intricate web of racial dynamics and regulating institutionsmost notably, the prison systemhas always been a pivotal, yet often suppressed, force in shaping the African American experience. From the horrors of the slave ships to the exploitative peonage of Reconstruction and the contemporary crisis of mass incarceration, Baker demonstrates how the concept of confinement has profoundly shaped black life in America. The book introduces the concept of "mulatto modernism," a term Baker uses to describe Washington's approach to racial "uplift." He suggests that Washington's efforts, while well-intentioned, represented a compromised pathway to full citizenship, a negotiation within the existing power structures of the time. This provocative argument forces readers to confront uncomfortable truths about the complexities of racial progress and the strategies employed by black leaders in the face of systemic oppression. But "Turning South Again" is more than just a theoretical exploration. Baker weaves in autobiographical elements, sharing personal reflections on growing up in the South and his later return to Duke University. This personal narrative adds a layer of depth and vulnerability to his analysis, grounding his intellectual arguments in lived experience. You'll gain insight not just into Baker's scholarly perspective, but also into the personal journey that shaped his understanding of race, identity, and the enduring legacy of the South. "Turning South Again" isn't a book for the faint of heart. It's a challenging, thought-provoking, and ultimately rewarding read that will force you to reconsider your understanding of black modernism, the role of the South in American history, and the ongoing struggle for racial justice. Prepare to be challenged, enlightened, and moved by Baker's powerful and deeply personal exploration of the African American experience. This paperback edition from Duke University Press, spanning 128 pages, provides a vital contribution to American cultural studies, urging a central focus on the South's lasting impact.