SEPARATE NO MORE

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.