olor are responsible for a plethora of economic and social problems. Affirmative action and other government programs that give preference to minorities are often cited. The economy in East Texas is not good, and many white males find themselves competing in the labor market with minorities, who are perceived as receiving unfair advantage. This animosity is directed at all people of color, but given the historically strained racial relations between black and white, African Americans bear the brunt of the backlash. Under extreme circumstances, this backlash can turn violent, as it did in Jasper. The success of blacks is perceived as a challenge to white supremacy. Whites who fear the loss of their power and privilege often react in antisocial, reprehensible ways: "Knowing how white men think has always been crucial not only to black male success, but to black male survival" (Edwards and Polite 203).
The town of Jasper itself undoubtedly contributed to the racist socialization process of Byrd's accused killers. In many respects Texas, a western state, is more closely associated with southern attitudes about race: "Jasper is more
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