In 1968, in the little town of Laurel, Mississippi, the Jaycees wished to honor an exemplary citizen and one of their own, Clifford Wilson, a man of many civic accomplishments. The ceremony was at a special banquet, and the Reverend Bob Marsh, a local Baptist preacher, was asked to present the award. Wilson got a bronze plaque, and gave an acceptance speech promising continuing service to the people of Laurel. There were photographs and smiles, and the satisfied crowd went home. An hour later, Clifford Wilson was arrested for the murder of a black man named Vernon Dahmer; others of his Klan buddies were also arrested. They had burned down Dahmers house and fired into the flames as he tried to defend his family. Reverend Marsh was disgusted that he had been fooled into recognizing Wilson. Charles Marsh, the Reverends son, tells the story of his fathers shame in _The Last Days: A Sons Story of Sin and Segregation at the Dawn of the New South_ (Basic Books). The author moved with his family to Laurel in 1967, and was there for some of the most vile acts of racism, but was also there when the schools were integrated, so this is a valuable and unique memoir of a time when enormous changes were occurring in the south. Neither liberal nor bigot, the Reverend Marsh confronts his hypocrisy and makes a difference.
_The Last Days_ is a loving look at a father who was a devoted minister, and a mother who was a devoted ministers wife, trying to make sense out of a confusing time of turmoil. The time does seem so distant now, and it is instructive to have the author give us details of the period. The Rev. Marsh stayed and did his part to help. It would make a good TV movie if he had been more of an Atticus Finch from _To Kill a Mockingbird_, and it would be dramatic if he stood on the church steps in a climax to confront the men in white hoods and robes. Marshs heroism was parceled out in smaller steps, such as the time in 1970 when a girl from his church brought a friend, a black girl, to the service. The deacons wanted to eject the unwelcome visitor, but Marsh would not permit it; and then they insisted on an apology to the congregation, but Marsh did not give one. He did, however, work to keep the community from being split by integration.
_The Last Days_ is not just about growing up in a time of changing race relations, but also is simply about growing up. There is a fondness for family within these pages that makes the racial chill and terror stand out starkly. The author has admiration for his parents who in some of the nations most turbulent times... held on tight to the Old Story and refused incivility the final word. Family members ought to be very proud of this son and his fine book. The Klan was not triumphant, and healing was begun; a harrowing and unforgettable story ends in redemption and hope.
