posted on 07 Aug 2017

Remember the journey to School Integration by Toni Morrison

On 17th May 1954 the Supreme Court heard the case of Brown v Board of Education in Topeka and declared that schools segregated on the basis of ‘race’ or ethnicity was unconstitutional in the United States. This was what is known as a ‘class action’ covering several cases brought together under one heading and which challenged the philosophy of ‘equal but separate’ which had been used as the justification for segregation across the Southern States.

There were however  plenty of people among the White population who were angered by the court ruling and resistance to the integration of schools was often vicious and violent. Black children were bussed to schools and required to enter through lines of baying adults and children shouting abuse – these were not easy times for Black children who had to be extraordinarily brave to hold their nerve.

It turned out that the Brown v Board of Education ruling was a pivotal moment in race relations in America and it was the first significant dent in the segregationist social structures that dominated at the time.

In this book – designed for adults and younger readers - Toni Morrison has trawled through the photographic archives to find a collection of images that captures the story. Many of the black and white photographs that come from unnamed photojournalists of the day are disturbing to modern sensibilities – you can feel the hatred and the trepidation that is written across the faces of so many people. It’s hard to believe that these pictures capture a time only 60 years ago and in living memory.

Toni Morrison’s contribution is to provide a minimalist but innovative text – she writes what amounts to a series of thought-bubbles that sit alongside the people featured in the photographs. This very simple technique cuts through the usual complexity to make the questions we all want to ask stand out starkly against the actions captured in the pictures.

It’s a beautifully produced book in a large format and printed on a glossy, lustrous paper that emphasises the richness of the black and white prints. But the book also allows the pictures and text space to breathe and the white paper is used to good effect.

You’ll find copies of this book on the second hand market for around the £15 mark – which isn’t much to revisit a moment of history in the company of one of the great writers.

 

Terry Potter

August 2017