Synopses & Reviews
The never-before-told story of the African-American child who started the fight for desegregation in Americas public schools
One fall day in 1848, on windswept Beacon Hill in Boston, a five-year-old girl named Sarah Roberts walked past five white schools to attend the poor and densely crowded all-black Abiel Smith School. Incensed that his daughter had been turned away at each white school, Benjamin Roberts resolved to sue the city of Boston on her behalf.
Thus began what would be a more than one-hundred-year struggle that culminated in 1954 with the unanimous decision in Brown v. Board of Education to desegregate Americas schools. Today, few have heard of the Roberts case or of the black abolitionist printer whose love for his daughter started it all, but now, with Sarahs Long Walk, readers can learn about one black communitys heroic struggle for equality.
Sarahs Long Walk recovers the stories of white and black Boston; of Beacon Hill in the nineteenth century; of twenty-four-year-old Robert Morris, the black lawyer who tried the case; and of all the people who participated in this early struggle to desegregate Bostons schools.
Stephen Kendrick and his son, Paul, have told Sarahs story--previously a mere footnote in the history books--with color and imagination, bringing out the human side of this very important struggle. Sarahs Long Walk is popular history at its best.
Synopsis
In the fall of 1848, a five-year-old African American girl named Sarah Roberts walked past five white schools to attend the poor and densely crowded all-black Abiel Smith School on Bostons Beacon Hill. Her father, Benjamin Roberts, decided to sue the city to end this injustice. The historic court case that followed set the stage for over a century of struggle, culminating in 1954 with the unanimous decision in Brown v. Board of Education.
A carefully framed, evocative portrait of the middle-class black community that had been ensconced on Beacon Hill since Revolutionary times . . . New depth in the legacy of Americas struggle for equal rights.” Kirkus Reviews
The authors handle the weighty issue of desegregation with skill; this is a book for historians and humanitarians.” Publishers Weekly
Supremely gifted historians in every respect, Stephen Kendrick and Paul Kendrick have given us an exceptionally full and compelling account of the antebellum struggle for racial equality in the nations Birthplace of Liberty.” James Brewer Stewart, author of Holy Warriors: The Abolitionists and American Slavery
Synopsis
In the fall of 1848, a five-year-old African American girl named Sarah Roberts walked past five white schools to attend the poor and densely crowded all-black Abiel Smith School on Boston& #39; s Beacon Hill. Her father, Benjamin Roberts, decided to sue the city to end this injustice. The historic court case that followed set the stage for over a century of struggle, culminating in 1954 with the unanimous decision in Brown v. Board of Education.< br=""> < br=""> & quot; A carefully framed, evocative portrait of the middle-class black community that had been ensconced on Beacon Hill since Revolutionary times . . . New depth in the legacy of America& #39; s struggle for equal rights.& quot; < br=""> & mdash; Kirkus Reviews< br=""> < br=""> & quot; The authors handle the weighty issue of desegregation with skill; this is a book for historians and humanitarians.& quot; < br=""> & mdash; Publishers Weekly< br=""> < br=""> & quot; Supremely gifted historians in every respect, Stephen Kendrick and Paul Kendrick have given us an exceptionally full and compelling account of the antebellum struggle for racial equality in the nation& #39; s & #39; Birthplace of Liberty.& #39; & quot; < br=""> & mdash; James Brewer Stewart, author of Holy Warriors: The Abolitionists and American Slavery
Synopsis
In 1847, a five-year-old African American girl named Sarah Roberts was forced to walk past five white schools to attend the poor and densely crowded all-black Abiel Smith School on Boston's Beacon Hill. Incensed that his daughter had been turned away at each white school, her father, Benjamin, sued the city of Boston on her behalf. The historic case that followed set the stage for over a century of struggle, culminating in 1954 with the unanimous decision in Brown v. Board of Education.