Olivia Paschal

Archives Editor

Olivia Paschal is the archives editor with Facing South and a Ph.D candidate in history at the University of Virginia. She was a staff reporter with Facing South for two years and spearheaded Poultry and Pandemic, Facing South's year-long investigation into conditions for Southern poultry workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. She also led the Institute's project to digitize the Southern Exposure archive. Her reporting has appeared in The Atlantic, The Nation, the Huffington Post, Southerly, Scalawag, the Arkansas Times, the American Prospect, and Civil Eats, among other publications. Olivia holds a bachelor's degree in history from Yale University and a master's degree in history from the University of Virginia.

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Articles by Olivia

Organizing faculty in Florida: An interview with Paul Ortiz

By Working HistoryOlivia Paschal

October 17, 2024 - Paul Ortiz joined the Southern Labor Studies Association's Working History podcast to discuss higher education organizing in Florida and the history of higher education labor in the South.

Black and white photo of woman looking into camera with arms crossed, next to an image of a light blue book cover that reads "Life and Death of the American Worker"

Lives on the line: An interview with Alice Driver

By Olivia Paschal

September 2, 2024 - Alice Driver talks about her new book "The Life and Death of the American Worker," an accounting of the lives and working conditions faced by poultry and meatpacking workers in Arkansas, where Tyson Foods is headquartered.

A group of Black students seated outside reading a book. One appears to be reading out loud.

Before & after Freedom Summer

By Olivia Paschal

June 21, 2024 - On the sixtieth anniversary of Freedom Summer, read a collection of work from Southern Exposure about the Mississippi Movement and its aftermath.

From-behind image of protestors in front of UNC's Wilson library. Two signs are visible: "Tikkun Olam can't come from Israel's bombs" and "UNC Faculty for Justice in Palestine." Speakers at the front hold Palestinian flags.

A Southern Exposure/Facing South reading list for Gaza organizers

By Olivia Paschal

May 1, 2024 - A collection of Facing South and Southern Exposure’s past coverage of militarism and state repression of protest in the South, created for the students, community organizers, faculty, and staff protesting the U.S.-backed destruction in Palestine in cities and on campuses around the country.

History

Scanned photo with crease through the middle showing man standing in an office with his hand to his chin, wearing a red and white checked shirt

Five questions with Marc Miller

By Olivia PaschalMarc Miller

April 1, 2024 - The former Southern Exposure editor and Institute for Southern Studies staffer reflects on his work on the Southern Exposure digital archives project over the last two years and his career at the Institute.

History

Four people sit on a stage in front of microphones

Why We Did What We Did: Reflections from Sue Thrasher, Leah Wise, and Bob Hall

By Olivia Paschal

November 16, 2023 - On a panel at the Southern Exposure 50th anniversary event this spring, Sue Thrasher, Leah Wise, and Bob Hall talked about launching the Institute for Southern Studies and Southern Exposure magazine in the 1970s. Listen to the panel on SLSA’s Working History podcast and read the transcript.

Workers mill about outside holding signs calling for justice

'Throwing the heroes away': As Arkansas Tyson plant closes, workers strike over treatment

By Rachell Sanchez-SmithOlivia Paschal

April 28, 2023 - Workers at a Tyson Foods chicken processing plant in Van Buren, Arkansas, walked out for several days this month, saying the company is putting their health and safety at risk — and is now shoving them out the door after hailing their loyalty through a deadly pandemic.

Olivia Paschal

Archives Editor

Articles by Olivia

Organizing faculty in Florida: An interview with Paul Ortiz

Lives on the line: An interview with Alice Driver

Before & after Freedom Summer

A Southern Exposure/Facing South reading list for Gaza organizers

Five questions with Marc Miller

Why We Did What We Did: Reflections from Sue Thrasher, Leah Wise, and Bob Hall

'Throwing the heroes away': As Arkansas Tyson plant closes, workers strike over treatment

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