Segregation and Integration in the US

The history of African Americans in the United States is deeply intertwined with the concepts of segregation and integration. Segregation was a systemic practice that divided society along racial lines, particularly in schools. African American students were often forced to attend separate and inferior schools, lacking the resources and opportunities available to their white counterparts.

The Civil Rights movement emerged as a powerful force to challenge segregation and demand equal rights. Activists, such as Martin Luther King Jr., led peaceful protests and campaigns to bring about change. Their efforts culminated in landmark legislation, such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibited discrimination in public facilities, including schools.

The process of integration, however, was not easy. It faced significant resistance from those who opposed racial equality. Schools became battlegrounds as white supremacists fought to maintain the status quo. Nevertheless, over time, integration has made some progress, although challenges still remain. Today, the struggle for true equality and integration continues, as the United States works to address the lingering effects of its segregated past.

I didn't initially realize that this was a young adult book. However, upon further examination, it became evident that the photographs and text within it are truly second to none. The quality of the images is outstanding, capturing the essence and emotions of the story in a powerful and engaging way. The text, too, is well-written and engaging, drawing the reader in and keeping them hooked from beginning to end.

What's more, the book finishes on a positive, uplifting note, which is not only refreshing but also necessary. In a world that can often seem dark and overwhelming, it's important to have stories that offer hope and inspiration. This book does just that, leaving the reader with a sense of optimism and a belief that anything is possible.

Overall, I would highly recommend this book to anyone, regardless of age. It's a beautiful and moving story that will touch your heart and leave you with a lasting impression.

2.5 stars.

The collection of photographs presented here is indeed valuable. It offers a visual feast that allows viewers to capture various moments and scenes.

However, from a personal perspective, I found the brief descriptions located at the back of what was truly happening in the pictures to be more captivating than the text that was paired with them.

The descriptions seemed to provide a deeper and more detailed understanding of the context, adding an extra layer of interest to the photographs. They helped to bring the images to life and made me engage with them on a different level.

While the paired text might have its own merits, for me, it was the back-of-the-picture descriptions that really stood out and enhanced my overall experience of the collection.

Perhaps the creators could consider emphasizing these descriptions more or finding a way to integrate them more seamlessly with the rest of the presentation to further enhance the value and appeal of the collection.

Morrison captions a collection of historical photographs taken around the time when schools were being desegregated.

These photographs serve as a powerful visual record of a significant era in history. They capture the moments of change, the challenges faced, and the hopes and dreams of those involved in the desegregation process.

Morrison's captions add an extra layer of meaning to the photographs. They provide context, explain the significance of each image, and offer insights into the emotions and experiences of the people in the pictures.

By captioning this collection of historical photographs, Morrison is not only preserving a piece of history but also making it accessible to a wider audience. Through his words and the images themselves, viewers can gain a better understanding of the struggles and achievements of the desegregation movement.

This collection of captioned photographs is a valuable resource for historians, educators, and anyone interested in learning about this important period in American history. It serves as a reminder of the progress that has been made and the work that still needs to be done to ensure equality and justice for all.

If you're not already familiar with this book, it is truly a remarkable collection.

It consists of photographs from the era surrounding school and other forms of integration, and is paired with Ms. Morrison's vivid imaginings of what the subjects of those photos might have been thinking.

My library had it categorized as YA. I checked it out with the intention of reading and discussing it separately with my fourth-grader and my second-grader. However, after going through it with the older one, I decided to hold off with the younger. For the fourth grader, though, this book was absolutely perfect. It didn't shy away from the harsh reality of our nation's past, yet it was written in a way that wasn't scary but rather serious. Paired with a proper discussion, it served as a perfect jumping-off point for developing empathy and facilitating real learning. Ms. Morrison's imaginings, as expected, were also ideal for stimulating genuine and meaningful discussion and exploration.

Although many of the events pictured are deeply disturbing - and they should be - Ms. Morrison's presentation of the story is uplifting and encouraging, leaving the reader feeling hopeful and inspired.

Here's a word of caution: if you're not already well-versed in the history of these events and the people involved, you might want to prepare yourself. There's a helpful glossary in the back, but you may also want to conduct some additional research on your own before using this as a teaching tool. We were able to have a much more enriching experience with this book precisely because I was able to share with him the stories of the children in the photos, what occurred before and after, and so on.

Remember: A Journey to School Integration by Toni Morrison is my choice for reading a book by a Nobel laureate for Women’s Bingo 2020.

When I heard the news of her passing, I realized that I had never completed one of her novels. I had tried, but as someone mostly rooted in the present, I struggled with her poetic and esoteric writing.

Perhaps, when I first attempted Morrison’s work, I wasn't an experienced enough reader to fully appreciate it. I've discussed reading classics at different stages of life in other reviews, so I won't go into depth here.

Toni Morrison was a Nobel laureate and a gifted writer, and it's essential that I read her work. With African American History Month approaching and a lineup planned, I decided to start small.

Remember was recommended to me because it was written for children to help them understand the complex subject of school integration history.

In the past year, I've read many books on civil rights. Sadly, the pursuit of knowledge is never-ending, especially on a topic as timely and poignant as this.

Last year, I read a memoir by a member of the Little Rock Nine, and this year, I have another book on school integration lined up.

Morrison begins by explaining the basics of segregation to children in an understandable way. Each page features text accompanied by photographs of people of all ages and skin colors.

To conclude the introduction, Morrison urges children to remember, saying, "Because you are a part of it. The path was not entered, the gate was not opened, the road was not taken only for those brave enough to walk it. It was for you as well. In every way, this is your story."

If the book only had the first and last pages, the explanation would be sufficient for children. Morrison outlines the basics.

Before the passage of Brown v Board of Education and the Civil Rights Act during the Jim Crow era, children of different races couldn't attend school together. School districts could legally segregate schools, with black schools being inferior in every aspect.

Then the photographs begin - black children in a one-room schoolhouse, often in a state of disrepair, and some walking miles to reach the nearest subpar school.

After Brown v Board, the law changed. Legally, black and white children could attend school together. However, many adults in the South who adhered to the old way of life disagreed with the legal change and tried to prevent integration from becoming a reality.

Morrison gently tells her young readers that this wasn't the fault of the children who simply wanted to go to school.

A powerful photograph shows a black and white girl looking at each other across an aisle of desks. The text reads, "I think she likes me, but how can I tell? What will I do if she hates me?"

Many of the photos are positive, depicting black and white children getting along in classrooms or in activities. Even if they were raised with fear or hatred of those who didn't look like them, the children made the most of their opportunity to live a more open-minded life than previous generations.

There are also some photographs of picket lines, empty classrooms except for a few African American students, and a few of the Little Rock Nine entering Central High School surrounded by a mob.

The fact that these brave students fought for the basic right to attend equal schools as their peers gave hope to future generations of African American children.

Morrison’s last two photographs are of Rosa Parks on a bus and Dr Martin Luther King, Jr on the dais about to deliver his “I Have a Dream Speech.” She says that all it takes is one person to give people a chance and hope for a better future.

Knowing what has happened in the last sixty-five years since Brown v Board of Education, it's easy to look back and say that things have improved. Schools are mostly integrated, and the United States is on the verge of achieving a plurality with people from all over the world, including children of all different colors attending school together.

If anyone has a friend of a different color, they might take the early battles for civil rights for granted. However, integration was far from easy, filled with fear, threats, and even bombings.

Integrationists have persevered, creating a more just society one step at a time. By remembering, Toni Morrison has told the story of school integration in a way that children can understand.

Exposure to her writing has shown me what a gift she was, allowing me to gradually progress from this book to her unique and complex novels.

5 stars

Grade/interest level: Middle School (6 - 8)
Reading level: 5.7 (Lexile 660L)
Genre: Information Book, Multicultural Literature

Main Characters: Several photographed individuals
Setting: Segregated U.S. in the 1950’s
POV: Unnamed 1st person narrator

Remember: The Journey to School Integration by Toni Morrison is a remarkable work. It uses black and white archival photographs to vividly tell the story of school integration. The medium is primarily visual, but it also includes the voice of a fictional narrator. This narrator details the thoughts and feelings of both the children and the adults who lived through the era of segregation. The photographs are arranged chronologically, exploring significant historical events. For example, there are famous pictures of segregation like separate drinking fountains and white people protesting the Brown versus the Board of Education ruling. These are shown as a counterbalance to the integration movement, which includes pictures of peaceful black protests, Rosa Parks, and Martin Luther King, Jr. The most incredible pictures, however, are those of children of both races learning together in integrated schools, free from the destructive prejudice.

I would use this book along with a unit on the Civil Rights Movement. I believe it would be highly beneficial for students. The historical photographs can help them better imagine how segregation affected the lives of students. Moreover, this book is a unique informational book as it provides a fictional narrative that coincides with the photographs. This enhances the understanding of the real-life struggles that resulted from segregation, making it a powerful educational tool.

This is an okay book.

It contains a plethora of pictures that vividly depict the school integration process.

However, for me, it didn't offer any novel information.

Nevertheless, it might prove to be educational for younger children.

If they haven't yet learned about this particular topic in school, the book could serve as a useful resource.

The pictures can help them visualize and better understand the concept of school integration.

It can introduce them to an important aspect of history and social change.

Although it may not be groundbreaking for those who are already familiar with the subject, it still has its value in educating the younger generation.

Overall, it's an average book that has its place in the educational landscape.

This book, "Remember: The Journey to School Integration," is an extremely compelling tool. It serves as an excellent means to introduce children to the significant events of the Civil Rights Movement and school integration.

I truly enjoyed the captivating stories that Toni Morrison presented, enhanced by the use of actual photographs from that particular time period. These photographs offer a vivid and real glimpse into the conditions that prevailed in African American schools during those days.

I firmly believe that this book will have a special resonance with children who are more inclined towards visual learning. The combination of engaging narratives and powerful images makes it an ideal resource for them.

"Remember: The Journey to School Integration" is a remarkable work of historical fiction. I consider it to be most appropriate for upper elementary school students. In my future classroom, I would love to utilize this book to seamlessly integrate a history lesson with literacy. It has the potential to make learning about this important era both interesting and educational for the students.

Years ago, in many regions of the United States, children of diverse races were prohibited from attending school jointly.

School districts had the legal right to segregate students into distinct schools based solely on the color of their skin. This unjust practice was a blatant form of discrimination that deeply affected the lives and educational opportunities of countless children.

The heck.

If you happen to encounter this book, it is highly advisable to obtain it. The genuine pictures within it possess an extraordinary power in narrating a segment of history that the younger generation would likely find it extremely challenging to believe. These images serve as a vivid reminder of the past, allowing us to better understand the struggles and sacrifices that have led to the more inclusive society we have today.

Toni Morrison’s book Remember is a remarkable picture book. It showcases a collection of photographs, some from the segregated South and others more contemporary.

Accompanied by exquisitely crafted text, it vividly tells the story of school desegregation. This book can be incorporated into various themes within a text set. Whether a teacher is teaching a unit on understanding, friendship, freedom, or integrity, Remember is a perfect fit.

The stark and sometimes slightly unsettling pictures on each page align seamlessly with the text. One can observe the anger and ridicule on the faces of many white people. However, the fortitude, fear, joy, and pride of the young black children are also palpable. The photos evoke a powerful response that children can understand just as quickly as adults.

I firmly believe that a 5th or 6th grade class would greatly benefit from this book. The text is accessible, yet the subject matter is intense, requiring some basic emotional control. It could serve as an excellent introduction to a unit on the Civil Rights Movement, providing students with a fundamental understanding of its historical timeline and making it personal. Students would be compelled to consider how different their lives might be without some of their friends in the classroom or school.

This book is a well-deserved Corretta Scott King Award winner. It meets the criteria of appreciating African-American culture and common humanity. It offers all young children the opportunity to witness how far we have come and perhaps reflect on how much further we can progress.

I wholeheartedly appreciate this book. Although it may not have a direct application in my high school classroom, I would eagerly recommend it to a middle school teacher. As an educator who teaches about the Civil Rights Movement, I found it to be an insightful portrayal of the struggle for equality. The combination of photographs and text weaves a narrative that elicits feelings of fear, sadness, and ultimately, triumph.

This product is beautifully designed and executed.

Every detail has been carefully considered and crafted to perfection.

The design is not only aesthetically pleasing but also highly functional, making it an essential addition to any collection.

Whether you are using it for its intended purpose or simply displaying it as a piece of art, it is sure to impress.

The quality of the materials and the craftsmanship are evident, ensuring that it will last for years to come.

Overall, this is a product that combines beauty and functionality in a truly remarkable way, and it is an essential item for anyone who appreciates fine design and quality.