Unpunished Murder

June 1, 2018
An account of a little-known Reconstruction-era massacre, how it came about, and its influence on U.S. history.The prologue tells the story of the Colfax massacre itself, when over 100 black men were murdered by white supremacists in Louisiana in 1873. The book then backtracks to the early days of the U.S., chronicling individuals and events that would later affect the situation in Colfax: the formation of the Supreme Court, the Dred Scott decision, the racist attitudes of presidents Andrew Jackson and Andrew Johnson, the passionate abolitionist Radical Republican Thaddeus Stevens, the Ku Klux Klan, and more. While some moments of historical import help put the Colfax massacre in context, others are overly detailed, and readers may wonder if they are necessary at all. Colfax comes up again nearly halfway through the text, with lawyer J.R. Beckwith's fight for justice for the slaughtered. His efforts were actively thwarted by the U.S. government, leading to the creation of the Jim Crow South. Despite being overly long, this book shines a light on a shameful sea change moment in U.S. history, although the message of injustice is weakened by the positive presentation of the Homestead Act which forcibly removed Native Americans from their land. Though the book ends abruptly, readers will come away with a thorough understanding of the Colfax massacre and its place in America's past and present.Difficult and necessary. (glossary, bibliography, source notes, index) (Nonfiction. 12-18)

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Starred review from June 1, 2018
Grades 9-12 *Starred Review* This information-packed book discusses the origins and repercussions of the Colfax massacre. In central Louisiana in 1873, white supremacists surrounded a courthouse where more than 100 formerly enslaved men had taken refuge. The attackers set the building ablaze and, after the freedmen came out and surrendered their weapons, shot them. No one was convicted of those murders. A Supreme Court decision related to the massacre resulted in the dismantling of Reconstruction and the swift return of widespread discrimination and violence against black Americans, particularly in the South. Offering a broad view of the issues, Goldstone presents a great deal of relevant background material on constitutional history, the federal court system, and the Dred Scott decision as well as describing significant individuals and political factions during the Reconstruction period. The illustrations include period portraits, photos, and political cartoons. Though the many details regarding government officials, judicial rulings, and widespread corruption during the period can be fascinating, students without a solid foundation in American history may lose interest. Those who persevere will find a gripping story and a well-informed perspective on American history. Spotlighting an event seldom discussed in books for young people, Goldstone provides a complex, useful historical context for understanding issues surrounding race and justice.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)