'The Southernization of America' seeks to explain the South's influence in shaping culture and politics

Cynthia Tucker, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and resident at the University of South Alabama, says the South had influence and has been the epicenter of racism and most recently an example of democracy when you look at recent elections.

“Many, many African Americans are moving back to the South because they know how much it has hanged and to help it change more,” said Tucker.

She further explained that the South has ongoing work to do, pointing to Republican lawmakers’ current push to limit voting rights.

Tucker and Frye Gaillard, a historian and resident at the University of South Alabama, were guests on Monday’s edition of “Closer Look.”

During the conversation, they talked with program host Rose Scott about several topics, including their thoughts about what it would take to create a more inclusive democracy and their new book, “The Southernization of America,” which examines the role of the South in shaping culture and politics in the United States.

“I would argue that the South has not done as much as it should’ve to teach the nation what is wrong with racism and violent oppression of people of color,” said Tucker.