Desegregation in a Small Southern Town

 

In 1956 twelve black students attended the high school in Clinton Tennessee. Other towns in the country like Little Rock, Arkansas were covered in detail, but the events in Clinton were relatively unknown. Rachael Martin became interested in the Clinton High School’s desegregation when she was a graduate student. She remained interested in the story of the town eventually interviewing over sixty residents as well as the twelves students.

This is a sad and in some ways a brutal story with raciest actions, the KKK, beatings, and burning crosses. The story is filled with action, but for me it was hard to read about relatively normal townspeople becoming a vindictive mob.

I appreciated that the author looked at the events from the standpoint of the townspeople. They weren’t simple hatred filled people. They saw their way of life disappearing and lashed out. It is the history of a very sad time in our country. Martin’s research is outstanding and the story is told so that the average reader can appreciate the scholarship, and also understand the story.

Thanks to the publisher and Net Galley for this book.