Right to Ride: Streetcar Boycotts and African American Citizenship in the Era of Plessy v. Ferguson by Blair LM Kelley
In previous posts, I have said that I had an excellent high school history teacher. He made history come alive and taught my class the history of the United States like it was oral tradition. With that being said, I have gaps. When I first learned of Dr. Kelley's book it made my reading list due to that. My understanding of African American history goes something like this, President Lincoln issues the Emancipation Proclamation, the Civil War ends, Rosa Parks refuses to give up her seat and is arrested, and the Montgomery Bus Boycott begins. See that comma between the Civil War ends and Rosa Parks refuses to give up her seat? That is the span of 90 years. I have some work to do.
Dr. Kelley's book took me to a part of history right after Plessy v. Ferguson Supreme Court Case was decided. It examines segregation on public transit and the way people fought against it. Right to Ride gives a look at the tradition of boycotts and civic action that are woven into the fabric of the United States. Our most famous examples may be Dr. Martin Luther King, but he was relying on a long tradition. The model for the modern Civil Rights movement happened in those years right after Plessy.
As for the book, Dr. Kelley's writing style makes Right to Ride a treat. It is easily read, coming in at just under 200 pages. It is also impeccably researched with reference footnotes.* The best praise for a book like this, is that Dr. Kelley gets out of the way of the story. Too many times non-fiction authors feel the need to interject themselves into the history, or give conjecture that is not necessary. History is fascinating enough without unnecessary commentary. Right to Ride gives the compelling story minus any ego. It very much worth reading and sharing with friends. It would make a great book club read, or just a discussion piece for a group of friends.
Moving on, my next book is Kafka on the Shore. I am reading some Haruki Murakami in preparation for 1Q84. I like to get to know an author before I read his opus.
In previous posts, I have said that I had an excellent high school history teacher. He made history come alive and taught my class the history of the United States like it was oral tradition. With that being said, I have gaps. When I first learned of Dr. Kelley's book it made my reading list due to that. My understanding of African American history goes something like this, President Lincoln issues the Emancipation Proclamation, the Civil War ends, Rosa Parks refuses to give up her seat and is arrested, and the Montgomery Bus Boycott begins. See that comma between the Civil War ends and Rosa Parks refuses to give up her seat? That is the span of 90 years. I have some work to do.
Dr. Kelley's book took me to a part of history right after Plessy v. Ferguson Supreme Court Case was decided. It examines segregation on public transit and the way people fought against it. Right to Ride gives a look at the tradition of boycotts and civic action that are woven into the fabric of the United States. Our most famous examples may be Dr. Martin Luther King, but he was relying on a long tradition. The model for the modern Civil Rights movement happened in those years right after Plessy.
As for the book, Dr. Kelley's writing style makes Right to Ride a treat. It is easily read, coming in at just under 200 pages. It is also impeccably researched with reference footnotes.* The best praise for a book like this, is that Dr. Kelley gets out of the way of the story. Too many times non-fiction authors feel the need to interject themselves into the history, or give conjecture that is not necessary. History is fascinating enough without unnecessary commentary. Right to Ride gives the compelling story minus any ego. It very much worth reading and sharing with friends. It would make a great book club read, or just a discussion piece for a group of friends.
Moving on, my next book is Kafka on the Shore. I am reading some Haruki Murakami in preparation for 1Q84. I like to get to know an author before I read his opus.
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