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, in 1968, the student body looked much like him: white, male, determinedly rural

This may be a little bit peripheral to the thread, but...

I haven't been everywhere in this country, but I live in Ohio, have been to several southern states, along with Texas and Oklahoma, and we now have property in WV.

Every rural area I've been to, is nearly exclusively white.

I don't believe people in those areas are racist and would create a hostile environment for non-whites (although non-whites may believe that and it would be enough to presumably deter them) - in fact, I think rural people are some of the most accepting there are towards racial and/or ethinic differences.

Are there rural areas of non-white farmers, ranchers, etc. that I just haven't seen, or is there something about either the area or the type of work/mindset that is not compatible with the average non-white?

Texas is just about the friendliest state you’ll ever visit — all of it (well there are those inner city pocket you might avoid).