Sharon Burnette Bell's M.A. Thesis on Anselm J. Finch

Why It Needs to Be Published

By Roscoe Barnes III, Ph.D.
Chairman, Anne Moody History Project
Copyright (c) 2019

#AnneMoody

Anselm Joseph Finch

I would love to see Sharon Burnette Bell's M.A. thesis published. It's titled, Anselm Joseph Finch: Mississippian and Life Long Educator (Jackson State University, 1976). Finch was Principal Willis in Anne Moody's book, Coming of Age in Mississippi, a fact that most people don't know. Since Bell did not mention Moody in her research, it's possible that she did not know of his connection to Coming of Age.

Given what we now know about Moody changing the names of people in her book, Bell's work would be a significant contribution to research on Moody, Mississippi, and civil rights.

A university press would probably be the ideal publisher for Bell's work. I would gladly write a Foreword to give context and show relation to Coming of Age.

For more on Finch as Principal Willis, see these links on the Roscoe Reporting blog:

Siblings of Anne Moody: ‘Principal Willis was Mr. Anselm J. Finch’: Family Confirms Name of the Founder of Willis High in Coming of Age in Mississippi. See here or follow this link:
http://roscoereporting.blogspot.com/2018/10/siblings-of-anne-moody-principal-willis.html

The Sphinx’s Profile of Anselm Joseph Finch: A Positive Look at The Man Who Appears as “Principal Willis” in Anne Moody’s Coming of Age in Mississippi. See here or follow this link:
http://roscoereporting.blogspot.com/2018/09/the-sphinxs-profile-of-anselm-joseph.html

Another Look at Anselm J. Finch, aka Mr. Willis, in Coming of Age in Mississippi: The Controversial Principal Wrote a Letter about 'Preparation' in 1964 School Yearbook. See here or follow this link:
http://roscoereporting.blogspot.com/2018/04/another-look-at-anselm-j-finch-aka-mr.html

"Turn around, Queen, look at yourself": A Look at Eunice N. Finch as Mrs. Willis in Coming of Age in Mississippi. See here or follow this link:
http://roscoereporting.blogspot.com/2018/04/turn-around-queen-look-at-yourself.html

My first discovery:

The 'Uncle Tom' Principal in Coming of Age in Mississippi: A Look at Anselm J. Finch. See here or follow this link:
http://roscoereporting.blogspot.com/2018/03/the-uncle-tom-principal-in-coming-of.html