Virginia: A Guide to the Old Dominion, one of the holding of the Library of Virginia, discussed yesterday, was originally compiled during the Depression by the workers of the Writers' Program of the Work Projects Administration in the State of Virginia. First published in the American Guide Series in 1940, it was sufficiently popular to receive three more printings in 1941, 1946, and 1947. Out of print for nearly half a century, it was finally re-issued by the Library of Virginia in 1992.
This guide, which is quite extensive, provides a look at Virginia in 1940 and, perhaps just as importantly, insight into how its authors saw Virginia and its history. It is of particular interest to note that its section on African-Americans is relatively generous for the times even though Walter Plecker, the racial "purity" obsessed head of Virginia's Bureau of Vital Statistics, and white supremacy were in their heyday. Its treatment of the Indians of Virginia, however, is exceedingly ungenerous and reflects Plecker's contention that there were no longer any Indians living in Virginia.
To read the guide: Click Here.
Walter Plecker, with his special abhorrence of people of mixed race ancestry, including the Melungeons, must be turning over in his grave today as just such a person takes the oath of office as the 44th President of the United States, and does so having carried his own state of Virginia.
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When you read this stuff, you realize how much harm one person in a position of power can do. A very dark chapter for the state of Virginia but with the election of Obama (and his carrying VA), we realize how things have really changed for the better. You don't have to agree with Obama's politics to realize that racism is just plain wrong. Plecker thought his racist views were based in religion. Another reason for all of us to be very skeptical of anyone who thinks they speak for God.
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