"Vividly revealing the challenges faced by a group of migrant workers who eventually farmed the multiracial town of Randolph, Arizona, Not All Okies Are White is a celebration of the resilience and adaptability of people too often ignored by history texts." "Not All Okies Are White recaptures the ways of life for black migrant workers, as well as Hispanics and Native Americans, in the first half of the century through richly detailed interviews of the families of Randolph's founders. Through the words of each narrator, these personal stories recount work experiences and survival strategies offering new insights into the people's relationship to the land. The narratives reveal a creative tension between place and identity, movement and migration. LeSeur provides a historical, cultural, and literary context for the oral histories by incorporating news articles, information culled from historical society archives, analyses of films and novels, advertisements, and photographs." "Not All Okies Are White will appeal to scholars and general readers interested in oral history, African American history, multicultural studies, and women's studies."--BOOK JACKET.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 237-242) and index.

A Note about Rememberin', Tellin', and Writin' / Lynn C. Lewis I. Introduction "There Are Pioneer Souls That Blaze a Path": Dreamin' the West II. "Men That Press On with the Ardor of Hope" Migrant Places and Randolph, Arizona Sarah Lucille Smith Manuel and Eva Acuna Myrtle Jordan Jeff Jordan III. "Next to You, We Love Cotton Best!" The Fabric of Black Life Obed, C. Fields Nick White

Metris White Ron and Pearl Jordan IV. "We Are Sojurner's Daughters" The Casa Grande Valley Cotton Women Parlee Bradley Georgia Rupe Fannie Reece Mamie Selmon Beulah Moore and Christine Moore Fields V. "Turn Not Away from Their Smiles and Their Tears" Educating Black Migrant Children Matthew and Elgie Batteau Ron Jordan.