The Lower South

Mason-Dixon Line

A line separating Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Delaware, historically separating 'free' and 'slave' states.

Lower South

Characterized by a warm and humid climate, wetlands, forests, and a high share of Black population.

Cotton Kingdom

An agricultural region primarily in the Deep South known for the cultivation of cotton.

Proclamation of 1763

A decree prohibiting settlement west of the Appalachian Mountains, reserving land for Native Americans.

Chattel slavery

A system where enslaved individuals were considered property and their status was hereditary.

Marronage

A form of resistance where fugitive slaves and Native Americans created communities to escape oppression.

Jim Crow laws

Legislation that enforced racial segregation and discrimination in the South from the late 19th century to the 1960s.

Hurricane Beryl

The earliest major hurricane on record, illustrating the season's commencement from June to November.

Environmental justice

Movement seeking to address environmental racism and social inequalities affecting marginalized communities.

Atlanta Race Riot (1906)

A violent outbreak fueled by racial tensions in Atlanta, sparking conflicts between Black and white residents.

Civil Rights Movement

A struggle for social justice advocating for racial integration and equal rights, primarily during the 1950s and 1960s.

Black nationalism

Political and social movement advocating for the rights and empowerment of Black people, often calling for racial separation.

Not-in-my-backyard (NIMBY)

A sociological term describing opposition to local land uses deemed undesirable by residents.

Gulf Stream

An ocean current that influences the climate of the Southern Atlantic coast of the U.S. and Northwest Europe.

Hurricane

A tropical cyclone that forms over warm ocean waters and can cause significant damage upon landfall.

Ecoregions

Regions defined by patterns in geology, landforms, vegetation, and climate.

Blues

A music genre that reflects real-life issues and experiences, rooted in African American culture.

Montgomery Bus Boycott

A civil rights protest against racial segregation in public transportation, initiated by Rosa Parks.

Clyde Woods

A Black professor known for analyzing the cultural and social significance of blues music.

Tenant farmers

Farmers who work land owned by someone else and pay rent in cash or crops.

Environmental racism

The intentional placement of polluting industries in communities predominantly inhabited by people of color.

Atlanta

A historically significant city, a hub for Black culture, and the capital of Georgia.

Sugar cane and rice farming

Agricultural practices integral to Louisiana's economy, influenced by its distinct cultural heritage.

Civil War and Reconstruction

A period of transformation in U.S. society, with attempts to redefine citizenship and rights of Black Americans.

Southern wetlands

Ecological regions providing refuge for Native Americans and fugitive slaves, significant in cultural history.

Cancer Alley

An industrial corridor in Louisiana known for high pollution rates and cancer incidences among local populations.

Hartsfield-Jackson Airport

The world's busiest airport, serving as a key hub in Atlanta.

HBCUs

Historically Black Colleges and Universities, important for higher education in the Black community.

Gentrification

The process where urban neighborhoods undergo transformation, often displacing existing communities.

Leadbelly

A notable blues artist known for his song 'Jim Crow Blues,' capturing the experience of racial discrimination.

Rosa Parks

Civil rights activist whose refusal to give up her bus seat sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott.

Cajun culture

A distinct culture in Louisiana derived from French settlers, particularly from Nova Scotia.

Hurricane Katrina

A catastrophic hurricane in 2005 that led to significant flooding, damage, and loss of life in New Orleans.

Atlantic Triangular Trade

A historical trade route involving the exchange of goods and enslaved people between Europe, Africa, and the Americas.

Jim Crow

A derogatory term for laws and practices that enforced racial segregation and disenfranchisement.

North Atlantic Gyre

A system of ocean currents that played a role in climate and navigation in colonial times.

Hurricane season

The period from June to November when hurricanes typically form in tropical waters.

Separation of races

The practice of keeping different racial groups apart in society, especially during the Jim Crow era.

Darker Blues

A style of blues music characterized by its slower melodies and deeper emotional expression.

Florida

A southern U.S. state known for its unique climate, culture, and as a popular retirement destination.

Sharecroppers

Farmers who rented land and paid rent with a portion of their harvest, often leading to cycles of debt.

Disaster Capitalism

A term used to describe profit-seeking actions taken by corporations during times of crisis.

Louisiana Creole

A culture in Louisiana deriving from enslaved African and West Indian people, rich in traditions.

Gulf Coast industries

Industrial sectors focused on oil, gas, and petrochemical facilities, impacting the economy and environment.

Civil Rights Act of 1964

Legislation prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

Voting Rights Act of 1965

A landmark piece of federal legislation prohibiting racial discrimination in voting.

Cotton cultivation

The growing of cotton as a cash crop, historically reliant on slave labor in the South.

White flight

The migration of white residents from urban areas to suburbs, often leading to racial segregation.

Climate system

A complex network that distributes solar energy and influences regional climates.

Florida wetlands

Ecosystems in Florida that include swamps and lakes, vital for biodiversity and water management.

Racial segregation

The enforced separation of racial groups in daily life, notably in the South during the Jim Crow era.

Historic plantations

Large estates where crops are grown, historically reliant on enslaved labor in the Southern U.S.

Everglades

A vast wetland in Florida that serves as a refuge for both wildlife and marginalized communities.

Anti-Black violence

Acts of aggression and discrimination directed towards Black individuals and communities, including lynching.

The Delta

An agricultural area between the Yazoo and Mississippi rivers, known for its distinctive cultural and economic challenges.

Fertile alluvial floodplain

Rich, nutrient-dense land formed by the deposition of sediments from river flooding.

Economic distress

A state of poverty or hardship impacting a community's financial stability, often a goal of protest actions.

Atlanta’s history

Significant due to its role as a center for Black culture and a hub during the Civil Rights Movement.