University Press of Mississippi eBooks, Sep 30, 2021
Eureka Springs is a unique space in the Ozarks, a free or safe place, where people from all walks... more Eureka Springs is a unique space in the Ozarks, a free or safe place, where people from all walks of life can do business, socialize, and even set roots. The town is quirky and takes sometimes liminal states. Homogeneity of the region counterweighs the region and leads to friction in the town as they grapple with diversity, including LGBT communities.
University Press of Mississippi eBooks, Sep 30, 2021
Several cults have made the Ozarks their home. The Incoming Kingdom Missionary Unit One was an ea... more Several cults have made the Ozarks their home. The Incoming Kingdom Missionary Unit One was an early cult that believed that they would be safe in Searcy County after the apocalypse. A more recent cult migrated in from New Orleans: the Nahziryah or the Purple People. Led by Duvall Augustus Mitchell, it became a rare example of an African American cult. Also discussed in the chapter are other African American religious groups that are on the fringes of American society.
University Press of Mississippi eBooks, Sep 30, 2021
This chapter introduces some of the major themes that reoccur throughout the book such as liminal... more This chapter introduces some of the major themes that reoccur throughout the book such as liminality, modernity, eccentricity, communalism, and sustainability. In addition to addressing the geographical area, the book also briefly introduces major Ozark scholars.
University Press of Mississippi eBooks, Sep 30, 2021
Following the work of John Shelton Reed and others, southern identity is studied especially as it... more Following the work of John Shelton Reed and others, southern identity is studied especially as it relates to race. Key words such as Southern, Dixie and Ozark take on certain geographies as they are mapped throughout the south.
University Press of Mississippi eBooks, Sep 30, 2021
Besides hosting one of the earliest rock concerts in the South, the Ozarks are the home of rockab... more Besides hosting one of the earliest rock concerts in the South, the Ozarks are the home of rockabilly acts such as Billy Lee Riley and Ronnie Hawkins. These performers inspired Black Oak Arkansas who became well known and even established a compound in the Ozarks. The other famous band from that time was the Ozark Mountain Daredevils.
Sociologists and other social scientists confront a number of trends in American society and even... more Sociologists and other social scientists confront a number of trends in American society and even inside the academic world such as anti-intellectualism and a preference for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines. Often, people in the public have a misperception about what social sciences are and what sociologists do. However, a number of important people such as Martin Luther King offered an explicit vision of the mission for social scientists. That vision entails social scientists as progressive social change agents. Two sociologists who fit that vision are Ernst Borinski and Howard Becker. These public scholars spent a lot of time understanding in-group/out-group dynamics. They also took on the insider/outsider roles to conduct their research and pursue other endeavors. Becker and Borinski and other sociologists were able to show the public why sociology is important in the day-to-day lives of individuals. Drawing on the works of Becker and Borinski,...
The Group, an intentional community began as the Dan Blocker Singers. They were led Dixon Bowles ... more The Group, an intentional community began as the Dan Blocker Singers. They were led Dixon Bowles who directed much of their day-to-day lives as well. The singers gained the attention of Dan Blocker, Hoss from Bonanza, who allowed them to use his name. They moved to Hollywood from Odessa, Texas and eventually made three appearances on the Milton Berle Show. Later, the singers became The Group when they migrated to the Arkansas Ozarks and eventually Greers Ferry where they tried to live communally under the continued leadership of Bowles.
This chapter introduces some of the major themes that reoccur throughout the book such as liminal... more This chapter introduces some of the major themes that reoccur throughout the book such as liminality, modernity, eccentricity, communalism, and sustainability. In addition to addressing the geographical area, the book also briefly introduces major Ozark scholars.
Comics convey social meaning, and Li’l Abner is well known for exploring social issues of the tim... more Comics convey social meaning, and Li’l Abner is well known for exploring social issues of the time. This chapter delves into the history of humor with focus on the hillbilly as an archetype of a trickster—a character that personifies contradictions in modernity as shaped in the south by way of the Lost Cause and other lingering issues.
Eureka Springs is a unique space in the Ozarks, a free or safe place, where people from all walks... more Eureka Springs is a unique space in the Ozarks, a free or safe place, where people from all walks of life can do business, socialize, and even set roots. The town is quirky and takes sometimes liminal states. Homogeneity of the region counterweighs the region and leads to friction in the town as they grapple with diversity, including LGBT communities.
The Ozarks, especially the Arkansas Ozarks, have a long history of paranormal belief. More UFOs a... more The Ozarks, especially the Arkansas Ozarks, have a long history of paranormal belief. More UFOs are reported in the Ozarks than any other region of the state. It is also home of the Ozark Mountain UFO conference that once invited Erick von Daniken, author of Chariots of the Gods to speak. In Missouri, during the 1950s–1960s, Buck Nelson held his spaceship conference where he related tales about overall-clad Venusians and their humongous dog “Bo.”
Besides hosting one of the earliest rock concerts in the South, the Ozarks are the home of rockab... more Besides hosting one of the earliest rock concerts in the South, the Ozarks are the home of rockabilly acts such as Billy Lee Riley and Ronnie Hawkins. These performers inspired Black Oak Arkansas who became well known and even established a compound in the Ozarks. The other famous band from that time was the Ozark Mountain Daredevils.
One band that became the voice of sustainability in the Ozarks was the Hot Mulch Band. Members ca... more One band that became the voice of sustainability in the Ozarks was the Hot Mulch Band. Members came from various intentional communities in the area such as Seven Springs. Some worked at the New Life Farm, researching and teaching sustainability in the region and even across the country.
This chapter briefly describes several Arkansas communes and the back-to-the land movement, espec... more This chapter briefly describes several Arkansas communes and the back-to-the land movement, especially in the Boston mountains of the Arkansas Ozarks. Three families are discussed with focus on the role of alternative education of children. Another facet explored is how children of the movement were shaped and influenced.
Several cults have made the Ozarks their home. The Incoming Kingdom Missionary Unit One was an ea... more Several cults have made the Ozarks their home. The Incoming Kingdom Missionary Unit One was an early cult that believed that they would be safe in Searcy County after the apocalypse. A more recent cult migrated in from New Orleans: the Nahziryah or the Purple People. Led by Duvall Augustus Mitchell, it became a rare example of an African American cult. Also discussed in the chapter are other African American religious groups that are on the fringes of American society.
University Press of Mississippi eBooks, Sep 30, 2021
Eureka Springs is a unique space in the Ozarks, a free or safe place, where people from all walks... more Eureka Springs is a unique space in the Ozarks, a free or safe place, where people from all walks of life can do business, socialize, and even set roots. The town is quirky and takes sometimes liminal states. Homogeneity of the region counterweighs the region and leads to friction in the town as they grapple with diversity, including LGBT communities.
University Press of Mississippi eBooks, Sep 30, 2021
Several cults have made the Ozarks their home. The Incoming Kingdom Missionary Unit One was an ea... more Several cults have made the Ozarks their home. The Incoming Kingdom Missionary Unit One was an early cult that believed that they would be safe in Searcy County after the apocalypse. A more recent cult migrated in from New Orleans: the Nahziryah or the Purple People. Led by Duvall Augustus Mitchell, it became a rare example of an African American cult. Also discussed in the chapter are other African American religious groups that are on the fringes of American society.
University Press of Mississippi eBooks, Sep 30, 2021
This chapter introduces some of the major themes that reoccur throughout the book such as liminal... more This chapter introduces some of the major themes that reoccur throughout the book such as liminality, modernity, eccentricity, communalism, and sustainability. In addition to addressing the geographical area, the book also briefly introduces major Ozark scholars.
University Press of Mississippi eBooks, Sep 30, 2021
Following the work of John Shelton Reed and others, southern identity is studied especially as it... more Following the work of John Shelton Reed and others, southern identity is studied especially as it relates to race. Key words such as Southern, Dixie and Ozark take on certain geographies as they are mapped throughout the south.
University Press of Mississippi eBooks, Sep 30, 2021
Besides hosting one of the earliest rock concerts in the South, the Ozarks are the home of rockab... more Besides hosting one of the earliest rock concerts in the South, the Ozarks are the home of rockabilly acts such as Billy Lee Riley and Ronnie Hawkins. These performers inspired Black Oak Arkansas who became well known and even established a compound in the Ozarks. The other famous band from that time was the Ozark Mountain Daredevils.
Sociologists and other social scientists confront a number of trends in American society and even... more Sociologists and other social scientists confront a number of trends in American society and even inside the academic world such as anti-intellectualism and a preference for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines. Often, people in the public have a misperception about what social sciences are and what sociologists do. However, a number of important people such as Martin Luther King offered an explicit vision of the mission for social scientists. That vision entails social scientists as progressive social change agents. Two sociologists who fit that vision are Ernst Borinski and Howard Becker. These public scholars spent a lot of time understanding in-group/out-group dynamics. They also took on the insider/outsider roles to conduct their research and pursue other endeavors. Becker and Borinski and other sociologists were able to show the public why sociology is important in the day-to-day lives of individuals. Drawing on the works of Becker and Borinski,...
The Group, an intentional community began as the Dan Blocker Singers. They were led Dixon Bowles ... more The Group, an intentional community began as the Dan Blocker Singers. They were led Dixon Bowles who directed much of their day-to-day lives as well. The singers gained the attention of Dan Blocker, Hoss from Bonanza, who allowed them to use his name. They moved to Hollywood from Odessa, Texas and eventually made three appearances on the Milton Berle Show. Later, the singers became The Group when they migrated to the Arkansas Ozarks and eventually Greers Ferry where they tried to live communally under the continued leadership of Bowles.
This chapter introduces some of the major themes that reoccur throughout the book such as liminal... more This chapter introduces some of the major themes that reoccur throughout the book such as liminality, modernity, eccentricity, communalism, and sustainability. In addition to addressing the geographical area, the book also briefly introduces major Ozark scholars.
Comics convey social meaning, and Li’l Abner is well known for exploring social issues of the tim... more Comics convey social meaning, and Li’l Abner is well known for exploring social issues of the time. This chapter delves into the history of humor with focus on the hillbilly as an archetype of a trickster—a character that personifies contradictions in modernity as shaped in the south by way of the Lost Cause and other lingering issues.
Eureka Springs is a unique space in the Ozarks, a free or safe place, where people from all walks... more Eureka Springs is a unique space in the Ozarks, a free or safe place, where people from all walks of life can do business, socialize, and even set roots. The town is quirky and takes sometimes liminal states. Homogeneity of the region counterweighs the region and leads to friction in the town as they grapple with diversity, including LGBT communities.
The Ozarks, especially the Arkansas Ozarks, have a long history of paranormal belief. More UFOs a... more The Ozarks, especially the Arkansas Ozarks, have a long history of paranormal belief. More UFOs are reported in the Ozarks than any other region of the state. It is also home of the Ozark Mountain UFO conference that once invited Erick von Daniken, author of Chariots of the Gods to speak. In Missouri, during the 1950s–1960s, Buck Nelson held his spaceship conference where he related tales about overall-clad Venusians and their humongous dog “Bo.”
Besides hosting one of the earliest rock concerts in the South, the Ozarks are the home of rockab... more Besides hosting one of the earliest rock concerts in the South, the Ozarks are the home of rockabilly acts such as Billy Lee Riley and Ronnie Hawkins. These performers inspired Black Oak Arkansas who became well known and even established a compound in the Ozarks. The other famous band from that time was the Ozark Mountain Daredevils.
One band that became the voice of sustainability in the Ozarks was the Hot Mulch Band. Members ca... more One band that became the voice of sustainability in the Ozarks was the Hot Mulch Band. Members came from various intentional communities in the area such as Seven Springs. Some worked at the New Life Farm, researching and teaching sustainability in the region and even across the country.
This chapter briefly describes several Arkansas communes and the back-to-the land movement, espec... more This chapter briefly describes several Arkansas communes and the back-to-the land movement, especially in the Boston mountains of the Arkansas Ozarks. Three families are discussed with focus on the role of alternative education of children. Another facet explored is how children of the movement were shaped and influenced.
Several cults have made the Ozarks their home. The Incoming Kingdom Missionary Unit One was an ea... more Several cults have made the Ozarks their home. The Incoming Kingdom Missionary Unit One was an early cult that believed that they would be safe in Searcy County after the apocalypse. A more recent cult migrated in from New Orleans: the Nahziryah or the Purple People. Led by Duvall Augustus Mitchell, it became a rare example of an African American cult. Also discussed in the chapter are other African American religious groups that are on the fringes of American society.
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