Dr. Goode is a long-time history professor here at Lipscomb who, amidst all the free-time that four classes allot him, has been working as an editor on his second collection of Will D. Campbell writings. Writings on Reconciliation and Resistance covers the work of a man who held hands with both the Panthers and the Klan, and swapped stories with Dr. Goode on how he did just that. They will both be at Beaman library today at 4pm discussing the book and the ideas presented by a man whose radical lifestyle and contrary ideas got him into a lot of trouble but gave him some good stories and insight along the way.
What exactly is the focus of the book and Will Campbell's writings
Campbell is fascinated with 2 Corinthians 5 which addresses our call to be ministers of reconciliation -"being" reconciled not only to God, but to each other. He lived working to bring people together that many did not want to be working with. Will Campbell was a large part of the Civil Rights Movement, but when he saw that the success of this movement caused the white extremist to become ostracized, he reached out to them as well. Campbell is quoted as saying "Jesus died for the bigots too" and feeling as though he should extend no less grace, he befriended both the Black Panthers and the KKK. He says that resistance stands not in opposition to the reconciliation he speaks of, but alongside it as the common people resist the higher powers that drive wedges between our co-existence.
Dr. Goode says if Campbell's true calling had not been reconciliation, it would have been storytelling. From getting kicked out of the University of Mississippi, to causing a stir on Lipscomb campus with his views on homosexuality, he relays each adventures and endeavor in such a captivating manner. All Campbell needs is a platform, like the book talk, to do just that.
