Well...they invented blues music. That's one clue.

Poor sharecroppers, being taken advantage of with little to no possibility of making a decent living. Rampant, extreme racism and violence against blacks. Lynchings were common.

I grew up in that area 1970-1980-ish. There were and still are people living in 3rd world conditions.

Just 10-15 minutes from "downtown" Helena you could find the equivalent of shanty towns.

Phillips county is widely known for its' racism (see Elaine massacre)

I thought the "N" word was acceptable until I left. I mean everyone (white people) used it as a generic term for a black person...good or bad. "He's a good "n", or that "n" is pissing me off."

Even in the early 80's, the downtown area was unofficially segregated. Cherry St. was for the white folks, and Walnut Street (one block over) was for the blacks.

I'm glad that I had the opportunity to leave and "see the light".

The area has come a long way, but it's still very troubled.

On a positive note, they host one of the best blues music festivals in the world.