Behold the Walls: Commemorative Edition

by Clara Luper, Karlos K. Hill (Editor), Bob L. Blackburn (Editor)

On August 19, 1958, Clara Luper and thirteen Black youth walked into Katz Drug Store in Oklahoma City and sat down at the lunch counter. When they tried to order, they were denied service. As they sat in silence, refusing to leave, the surrounding white customers unleashed a torrent of threats and racial slurs. This first organized sit-in in Oklahoma—almost two years before the more famous sit-ins in Greensboro, North Carolina—sparked other demonstrations in Oklahoma and other states. Behold the Walls is Luper’s engrossing firsthand account of how the movement she helped launch ended legal racial segregation.

First published in 1979, Behold the Walls now features a new introduction and 33 newly selected historical photos. Luper’s direct, unvarnished account captures the immediacy of the events she witnessed. As a Black woman, Luper refused to let either racism or sexism deter her from stepping forth as a leader. Born in 1923, Clara Luper taught history in Oklahoma public schools and led the NAACP Youth Council. The students who sat in at Katz Drug and other businesses belonged to that organization. Luper highlights the contributions of others, especially young people, in breaking down the walls of segregation in Oklahoma through numerous demonstrations, marches, and voter registration campaigns.

This commemorative edition of Luper’s eye-opening autobiography, published near what would have been her 100th birthday, as well as the 65th anniversary of the sit-ins, offers invaluable insight into the history of protest in the early years of the civil rights movement. With racial inequality still at the forefront of national debate, Behold the Walls places Luper’s efforts in the larger national context of the struggle to resist injustice and inspire positive change.
 

286 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 25, 2023

Reviews

[Timothy Sikes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Essential reading for OKC history.

Luper's style adds a sense of immediacy to her storytelling. She's very good at making observational comments on injustice: "but the white church leaders turned a deaf ear, as their beautiful buildings stood as monuments to their dedication to Christianity."

[Chelsea Render · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m giving this book five stars not necessarily because the writing is the best I’ve ever read — this wasn’t written by a “writer” in the traditional sense — but because I think it really should be required reading for anyone interested in Oklahoma history. It should be taught in Oklahoma grade school history classes, too, but unfortunately this book is my first encounter of knowledge about Clara Luper. Known as “the mother of the Oklahoma Civil Rights Movement”, Clara was a force to be reckoned with! The nonviolent movement that she launched helped to end legal racial segregation in the state, after many years of challenging work. What a powerful, inspiring read this book was, to see her experiences through her eyes.

[Emily Masters · Rating 5 out of 5]

required reading

An incredible and incredibly moving first-hand account of the Oklahoma City Civil Rights Movement, with pages on pages of quotable material and perseverance in the face of adversity

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clara Luper gets my vote for Greatest Oklahoman of All Time.

This book should be required reading for anyone who wants to engage in any form of public protest.

[ledge2014 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Essential read for Oklahomans. We’re very fortunate to have such an extensive and moving primary source on Oklahoma’s Civil Rights Movement from Clara Luper herself.

[Lisa Marshall · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is fantastic! There was so much history and so much humanity on every page. Learn about Clara Luper. Read this book!