Essays / Thesis Help: History of race in the South of America [7]

Describe the history of race in the South. Also, describe how race and politics were interwinded in the south between 1860 and 1968.

An essay from my Cultural Studies class.
Any help with coming up with a thesis, any help would be greatly appreciated!!

Essays / Should Southerners be consider their own ethnic group? Essay [2]

Should Southerners be consider their own ethnic group?
-Define Reed's opinion "John Shelton Reed" Book: My Tears Spoiled My Aim.
-Define Your opinion

These is some of Reed's opinion from his book.
-Like other ethnic groups, Southerners have differed from the national norm: they have been poorer, less educated, more rural, occupationally specialized. They also differ culturally in important respects, and their political behavior has been distinctive .

-Not often identifiable by name or appearance, their accent usually serves as an ethnic marker.

I don't know where to start, but i guess i agree with Reed's opinion and say Yes.
These are the three ex./opinions i agree about, Southerns are likely to be less educated, live in rural areas, and their accent servin as a ethnic marker.

Help me out, please!