In 1965, there were 280 black elected officials around the country.

That is too big a geographical unit, the black officials said.

To many public officials, black and white, his lack of experience is a serious liability.

"Why is it that black officials have to move to the center?"

But local black officials have by and large yet to take up the cause.

Nonetheless, many black officials say they have not quite been able to put the past behind them.

By 1990, Mississippi has more elected black officials than any other state in the union.

The number of black elected officials overall has gone from 600 to 6,681.

These days, much is made of the fact that Mississippi has 600 black elected officials, more than any other state.

Many whites are thrilled to hear such talk from black officials.