Prof launches book about racism

Surrounded by a standing-room only crowd of more than 100 colleagues, students and friends, English Professor Paul Hendrickson spoke about his new book -- Sons of Mississippi -- as part of the Penn Humanities Forum Tuesday night.

But the gathering transcended the intimate -- C-SPAN's Book TV recorded the talk, which was followed by a book signing featuring wine and live jazz.

After a glowing introduction from English Professor Wendy Steiner, Hendrickson took the podium. He began by acknowledging the many people who had helped him during his literary journey, thanking everyone from family and friends to his editor at Alfred Knopf.

Sons of Mississippi deals with the legacies of seven sheriffs who were photographed, billy club in hand, preparing to resist the integration of Ole Miss in 1962. Hendrickson's photo inspiration adorns the book's cover and was also prominently displayed on the podium from which he spoke.

"I have always thought that books mysteriously find us," said Hendrickson, as he segued into discussing his new work, "instead of we them."

He then explained how the project began as he leafed through a book of photographs one evening while stopping in a bookstore.

"There, on page 55, was a picture that stopped me dead in my tracks," he said. "I think I wanted urgently to know how did these seven Southerners get to be this way."

Then, before reading two excerpts from his book, Hendrickson described the book as being "about a black-and-white photo," but also said that it was "about the arc of sorrow that defines us as Americans."

The book was exhaustively researched and written over five years, requiring more than 35 trips around the country, according to Hendrickson.

After reading from his book, Hendrickson, who was a reporter for the Washington Post before coming to Penn, took questions from the audience.

When one student asked what role good reporting and good fortune played in finding and telling his story, Hendrickson offered advice, but also stressed the importance of luck.

"You just go," he said, "and it's a kind of luck based on terrible desire."

But Hendrickson was not the only literary figure gracing the event. Several Post staff members, including Wil Haygood, were in attendance. Noted author Lorene Carey, whose book The Price of a Child was selected for the One Book, One Philadelphia project, also asked a question during the discussion.

Waiting for Hendrickson to sign copies of his book, students -- past and present -- praised him on his latest endeavor.

"He has a wonderful, vibrant personality," Wharton freshman Patrick Klosterman said. "He uses his words well. There's a lot of meaning in what he says."

The lecture and reception were part of the Penn Humanities Forum's Year of the Book program.

Please note All comments are eligible for publication in The Daily Pennsylvanian.