Self-Liberation of Parson Sykes: Return to Southampton County

The Returned to Southampton County is the third novel in the Self-Liberation of Parson Sykes trilogy. It informs readers of the daunting task that America faced in restoring order in the South, reunifying a war-torn nation, and extending equality to Black Americans. With a victorious end to the Civil War, Parson fulfilled the goal of self-liberation, but he grew frustrated with the Reconstruction programs. Between 1863 and 1877, the nation undertook the obligation of integrating formerly enslaved people into a bitterly divided country over emancipation. After the defeat of the Confederacy, vicious racial violence characterized the resistance to integrating Black people. Parson’s story highlights the challenges faced by Black people and the government’s efforts to make amends. It shows how Black families tried to build new lives by starting schools, forming churches, buying land, and taking part in politics, even though there was constant resistance from white supremacy.