... about the dark days of desegregation and of the hate and ignorance during that time
588535
This book taught me about the dark days of desegregation and of the hate and ignorance during that time. It reminded me of how we don't speak up when our hearts are challenged for fear of rejection. I believe this sad part of our history needs to be told and that much can be learned. Jim came to my book club. This book sparked challenging and insightful conversation. Jim has done extensive research and tells this story thru the eyes of a bullied teenager.  I will recommend this book to my children, other family and friends.
2513711
This books takes you back to a time young people cannot imagine. The fear, of knowing you could be killed just because and no one of authority will help. There are many with Emmetts blood on their hands.  Anyone who knew, but was too cowardly to warn Mr. Mose Wright. Knew, but refused to testify. Sad. It is shocking that the racist, pot bellied sheriff HC Strider has a portion of a hwy named after him. Carolyn Bryant-Donham will spend an eternity in the pit of hell for her actions. Somethings are unforgivable. I wonder what the Bryant and Milam children must feel knowing their fathers are pathetic, ignorant murderers. The KKK is nothing more than a bunch of cowardly, ignorant, backward morons. They do NOT represent the white race.
4826089
During the enlightment of the Trayvon Martin murder case July (2013), I was compelled to read this book to see what the fuss was about.  A local school in the state of Georgia assigned this book to be read as a class assignment.  However, one set of parents contested it to be a mandatory reading because of the profanity language found within.  They were not requesting to remove it but to remove it as being mandatory in other words let it be a choice if a student chooses to read it for class credit. In this incident the student was 12 years of age.

We live in a white cultural society in America with history of men, women and children being removed from their homeland and entreated into slavery to serve those who considered themselves as "white masters". These people were shipped from Africa and treated harshly as human beings.  Latinos government sent many of their people to America seeking a new way of life, however, that way was of some abuse from the same masters.

The author has captured some truth of what it is like to be in poverty and have to work to eat.  The effect of what slavery is to the African American community is also felt among the Latinos.

It appears as though the white Americans want to keep this movement under covered from their children, children's children and all generations as to the truth of the insanity structured on another person of different culture of life.

It is a teaching of civil rights, love, kindness, ignorance, and treachery to name a few which is still alive today, although the first three are in danger of being slaughtered.  The Latino community suffered such as the African American community but not as great.  It is history that should be exposed.  There are many Latinos that contributed to new discovery that added to life for accomplishing living and receive no recognition.  It should be noted that America is no longer white due to its own choices but of many cultures that was offered a better way but wanting to colonize once again without struggles or interference of the different.

The book is a good read and exposure to truth of a neighbor's possible life of horrors.  Demonstrations revolve around courage and sincerity to be dignified with respect. The minor profanity was just that, minor. It could be the 12 year olds will make America a better place if the truth is not hid.

I recommend the book and pray it is not removed but allow it to be a choice out of curiosity.  The earth is meant to swallow the wicked, the locust will devour prior to the swallowing. Many more lessons to learn.

Lady O'deda
Atlanta, Ga.
4086197
This book took me back to a terrible time in the country's history that we are still feeling the repercussions of today.  It helped me to feel the terror Black people felt due to the lynchings and other crimes inflicted on them by the KKK, mostly in the former slave holding states, The reason for the cruel treatment of Black people, and the terrorist night raids  was actually shown to be the white population's fear of losing privileged status in society and their fear of not being able to compete fairly for jobs and resources against Black people who were used to working harder and longer hours for little or no pay. In fact, many Black citizens were still working and living under inhumane conditions on plantations that operated just as they had when slavery was legal.  Unfortunately, the government at all levels was in cahoots with the racists, citizens in all walks of life were in the KKK, and thus, the Black population had little to no source of help during those decades of Jim Crow and racial terrorism.
4228619
This book gave me a real feel for my south in the time just before the serious struggle for civil rights.  I knew but understand better now just how black citizens felt then and still feel now.  Most  of the descriptions of a southern town and its people are so engaging.  The pace of the book could have been improved somewhat.
2002989
It was very disconserting to me to read the reviews on this book and and  see the term " racism " used so much.  Ms. Rawlings revealed the  old south and old Florida as it was and is and will always will be.  Accept  it or don't waste your time reading this marvelous book of the old south of  and of old Florida. Robert G. Holloway
2972679
It was a book about overcoming difficult times in the south.  I don't always want to think about very difficult times in people's lives and having been raised in the north it had sad moments for me to read the unkindness of supposed Christian people to others but I also had a hard time putting the book down and in the end it was worth the read to see the courage of people to overcome bad circumstances.  I will read more of the author's books.
1119549
I find it especially disturbing that one can recognize the stage set up for the war on racial integration disguised as war on drugs. The southern resistance to the integration from the 60's is a crucial part of how the justice system targets the racial minorities today and yet no one seems to recognize it or cares about it enough to do something about it.
50343
I happened upon this book years ago, I forgot where.  It tells quite a story both in words and in pictures.  It is hard to see how poor these folks were in the United States and how hard their lives were.  But this was during the Depression, life was hard everywhere.  Many children, not enough food, not enough clothes.  Can't go to school, got to work in the fields.  The book was published in 1975, pictures in black and white.  It tells stories in a different way than color.  The book was first published in the 1930s.  Sad, too sad.  I read much of what Erskine Caldwell wrote about these people.  The landlords took advantage of both blacks and whites causing both groups to hate each other.  Draining the land, making it useless.  Men and women, discouraged by life, too tired, too poor to care.  Run down shacks, people trying to make it but wonder if it is all worth while.  Erskine Caldwell and Margaret Bourke-White told quite a story back in the day going through the south.
4119773
If you're sensitive to political correctness, don't read this book. You have to remember it reflects its time and many negative epithets were used to describe people of different ethnicities. If you can remember that it was written in the 1800's, you might enjoy it.
4855900
The author did an excellent job presenting the tools (intimidation, murder, the legislative process, etc.) White racists have used to suppress people of color. Sadly the strategies used in the past are still being used today. We must learn from the past so that we can stop the systematic racism that is destroying the lives of our fellow citizens and our future.
79783
As a child of the 1950's south, this remarkable book answered many vague, indistinct, complex questions about the racial relationships of that era.  There was love, hate and fear but also a sense of family that is now gone.  Thank you, Harper Lee for this book.
1318998
Really e joyed this book.  Though I only visited the South in the summer I was aware of the segregation  and ignorant beliefs whites had of Bla 's.  This story showed how all races Black and white suffered from racism.  Whites lost their humanity and suffered not teaching their full potential to experience the talent, culture and work ethic of their Black neighbors.  Blacks suffered unmentionable indigenous city.  Most outspoken in the book when Mary offered herself, k owing it would probably mean her life to save the girls.  Bill's racism cost him everything_ his family, brother, the business he worked so hard to make himself financially and socially respectable.
3095421
I loved re-visiting a grown-up Jean Louise aka "Scout" and her father, Atticus Finch. It was hard for her, as it was to those who loved "To Kill A Mockingbird" to see Atticus take a stance that seemed incongruent with the man and father she'd/we'd loved. But I'm old enough to remember the Supreme Court decision and the times in which it occurred--to say nothing of the rhetoric and feelings throughout the South when faced with de-segregation. My 8th grade class was discussing it (West Texas), and I finally used the argument, "Would you want to be treated the way the Negroes of this town are treated?" Another student (also a girl) used a legal argument, i.e. "A Supreme Court decision says segregation's illegal and that's that." The teacher commented on our different styles, i.e. emotional vs legal, and looking back, I see that it's been a fundamental principle of my life. I think subsequent events would've disgusted Atticus.
3246054
I think this should be on the list of recommended reading for high school students. It certainly brought the struggle for equality in education so much closer to me. Amazing that within my lifetime Black kids were treated so badly in a place that should have been safe - their schools. I'm ashamed for my generation.
162502
The coming of age memoir of a survivor of a crime that resounded around the world.  Ms. McKinstry shares with the readers her own personal struggles with the aftermath well into her adulthood.  She shared facts that were not well known.  It is sad  how hatred can cause such tragic events and how the fallout reverberated through the years.  The book dragged at times, however, it was a very interesting account about one of the most segregated cities in the country and how the bigotry and hatred exploded into the ugly violence that was so common during that time.  Highly recommended.
1355023
A very moving story from the depths of the darkest parts of American history, about human relationships, abuse of power told in the vinacular of the period