Question

What changes in McIntosh county during the 1970s and 1980s undermined Sheriff Poppell’s power?

Answer 1

McIntosh county in the 1970's was a secluded constituency in Georgia, America. The McIntosh county comprised of mainly African-Americans. Although, the African-Americans formed the majority of voters but not a single African-American was elected to any office. They were only employed as workers, househelp and chefs. They were not allowed to take up any white-collared jobs.

The American people lived near the McIntosh county in a town called Darien. The African-Americans worked in houses of the Americans and traveled the long distance to and fro daily. The civil-rights movement which had gathered momentum in many other places of America did not have its presence in McIntosh County. The people had just heard vague stories about the civil rights movement and leaders who were fighting for the rights of the African-Americans.

The African-Americans in McIntosh County were resigned to their fate and were tolerating the atrocities against them without any resistance. But, there was a hero among them. Thurnell Alston was a boilermaker who despite being handicapped and a stuttering speech managed to create a furor among the people by his powerful speeches against the injustice perpetrated on them by the Americans. He was a fearless person and did not bother about the consequences of his inciting talks.

Sheriff Thomas Poppell was the law enforcement officer incharge of McIntosh county. He pretended to be compassionate commander, but was a devious person. He patronized the African-Americans by giving them some gifts and necessities, but had a hidden purpose behind his endeavors. Sheriff Powell wanted to control the vote bank which comprised of mainly the African Americans voters, so as to help to elect a person of his choice. Sheriff Powell managed the affairs of the county in a ruthless manner. He was racially prejudiced against the African-Americans and did not hesitate to kill an African-American person, if he sensed any trouble.

The shooting of Ed Finch an African-American in the mouth by a deputy officer without any provocation or reason was the last straw in the tolerance level of African-Americans, who had suffered the tyranny of the Whites for several years. Ed Finch was not given medical treatment, instead he was accused of many crimes.

The African-Americans had been subjected to grievous injuries, killings, wrongful convictions, ridicule, discrimination and humiliation for generations, but the extreme injustice inflicted on Ed Finch and the absolving of the deputy who shot him was a turning point in the history of McIntosh county. The African-Americans realized that the Whites were unlawful, unjust and took undue advantage of their freedom to harm the African-Americans unnecessarily.  

The people of McIntosh county were appalled at the audacity of the White people. The shooting of their fellow-being inhumanely gave rise to a sense of extreme bitterness and hatred towards the unfair ways of the White people. They shrugged off the dominance of the Whites and realized that they were in majority as compared to the Whites living in their county. Thus, they started disobeying the orders of Sheriff Powell and these changes in McIntosh County during the 1970s and 1980s undermined the absolute power of Sheriff Powell. Sheriff Powell could not restore his previous authority and dominance again in McIntosh County, thereafter. The civil-rights movement was born in the McIntosh County by the courageous efforts taken by Thurnell Alston who led his people to fight for their rights.