Day 9. Black History Month: Passing of the Baton for Civil Rights

     Not sure if this will the be last children’s book to review for Black History Month, but if it is it certainly not the least in the array of titles that are chosen to be showcased in this blog.  Before going further,  it is important to explain why children’s books are so prominent in this blog and in the particular list.   One of the benefits of reading and critiquing children’s book is the author’s most times give a very simple yet accurate explanation of word or ideas that are sometimes hard to explain.  The book chosen for today, is an excellent example of how historical terms or ideas are explained in a straightforward manner which helps the adult and child enjoy the story with clarity. 

Child of the Civil Rights Movement written by Paula Young Shelton and Raul Colon, is vivid,  well-paced story of a little girl who was born in the North and went to the Deep South with her family to help fight the unjust laws which were known as the Jim Crow laws.  In Ms. Shelton notes, she recalls that when she first heard of these laws she was only four years old.  In her young mind, she believed that Jim Crow was an actually bird.  She came to find out that it was a set of laws named after a White man who wasn’t very nice to black people.  In her words, she felt that was fitting since the laws weren’t very nice either. 

Of particular note is that Ms. Young came from an activist family who worked side by side with other Civil Rights Leaders of their day.  Most notably Martin Luther King Jr, whom she called Uncle Martin.  Those who worked, worried and walked in marches tougher became a “family” in every sense of the word.   The book is a testimony to what can be done when working together for a a common goal and just cause.  The Jim Crow laws in the South were meant to keep African Americans  from achieving full “rights” and freedoms that are guaranteed  to every American citizen.  

The story concludes with the famous March from Selma to Montgomery.  The march stretched for 50 miles with National Guards escorting the peaceful demonstrations to its final destination.  Ms. Shelton’s recollection of the march is detailed from the beginning at the Baptist church where men and women of all religious backgrounds and races were walking side by side to demonstrated their belief that African Americans should have the right to vote in the South.  She points out that the march drew a lot of attention nationally and that even President Johnson watch the marchers on Television.   

The book ends acknowledging that her “family” passed the baton to her and her sisters to carry on the Civil Rights Movement.   Judging from this work,  it  is apparent that her contributions to the movement is just as powerful and important as the protest and marches were in the 1960s.