Separate No More

Starred review from November 15, 2020
A comprehensive exploration of one of the most life-changing Supreme Court cases in American history. In May 1954, the United States Supreme Court ruled that racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional. This ruling on a landmark case--Brown v. Board of Education--would be a vital step in the ongoing fight for racial equality. But that victory did not occur in a vacuum. The civil rights movement reached this milestone because several key figures, catalysts, and circumstances culminated in a perfect storm for progress. Goldstone details the harrowing journey toward Brown by providing ample historical and cultural context for the decades preceding the decision: the founding of the NAACP, the racist violence sweeping the nation, and the artistic explosion of the Harlem Renaissance, to name a few. The author takes care to balance depictions of Black oppression with examples of Black triumph and perseverance. Several key characters who influenced the civil rights movement also feature: Ida B. Wells, W.E.B. Du Bois, and Thurgood Marshall, among others. The prose is engaging and accessible for young readers without being condescending, and intense scenes from history illuminate nearly every chapter. Goldstone underlines the tireless efforts of civil rights activists despite staggering odds, offering hope for a present that is also plagued by racial inequalities and violence. Crucial historical information wrapped in well-written, inviting prose. (bibliography, source notes, image credits, index) (Nonfiction. 12-17)

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December 1, 2020
Grades 7-10 Goldstone traces the history of school desegregation, citing significant court cases between 1896 (Plessy v. Ferguson, which affirmed segregation) and 1954 (Brown v. Board of Education, which ruled segregation unconstitutional). In a thorough discussion, he touches on topics as varied as the Springfield riots (1908), the formation of the NAACP (1909), voting restriction laws, efforts to encourage African Americans to attend quality law schools, the effects of military service on expectations of equality, and the similar cases that were bundled with Brown. The author emphasizes important players in the crusade for social justice, including W. E. B. Du Bois, Moorfield Storey, Charles Hamilton Houston, and Thurgood Marshall, among others. His tone is direct, often summarizing the arguments and rulings of lawsuits, and he does not shy away from describing the violence connected with these cases, including lynching, false imprisonment, and death. Illustrated with black-and-white period photos and document reproductions, and appended with generous sources and notes, Goldstone clearly demonstrates the incremental fairness achieved, as well as recent regressions toward racial divide.

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