And Justice for All
Jan 10, 2009
And Justice for All
The United States Commission on Civil Rights and the Continuing Struggle for Freedom in America
Written by Mary Frances Berry
Publisher: Knopf
Pub Date: January 2009
ISBN: 978-0-307-26320-9
Also available as an eBook.
This is the story of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, written by Mary Frances Berry, the commission’s chairperson for more than a decade.
She describes how and why the commission was started by President Eisenhower in the 1950's, how it decided to take action instead of simply report on the issues, and how it got the ball rolling for peaceful protests to stop segregation.
She also tells about the non-peaceful battles in Montgomery and Little Rock, the sit-ins and freedom rides and the March on Washington.
The various acts that made it through Congress for the betterment of equality are all explained as to how they were brought about. She goes into detail regarding the in-house battles in government about these acts - who tried to block them, who fought for them, etc.
She herself has a colorful history in the Commission, with 3 different presidents trying to get her out of her position.
This book is written in basic textbook style, but if you're interested in the history, trials and tribulations of this commission, I can't think of anyone better and with more in-depth knowledge to explain it to you.
