Going to School in Black and White

by Cindy Waszak Geary, LaHoma Smith Romocki

A dual memoir of segregation

The school careers of two teenage girls who lived across town from each other—one black, one white—were altered by a court ordered desegregation plan for Durham, NC in 1970. LaHoma and Cindy both found themselves at the same high school from different sides of a court-ordered racial “balancing act.” is plan thrust each of them involuntarily out of their comfort zones and into new racial landscapes. eir experiences, recounted in alternating first-person narratives, are the embodiment of desegregation policies, situated in a particular time and place. eir intertwining coming of age stories are part of a bigger story about America, education, and race—and about how the personal relates to the political.

is dual memoir covers the two women’s trajectories from early school days to future careers working in global public health and challenging gender biases, racial inequities, and health disparities. LaHoma and Cindy tell their stories aware of the country’s return to de facto school segregation, achieved through the long-term dismantling of policies that initially informed their school assignments. As adults, they consider the influence of school desegregation on their current lives and the value of bringing all of us into conversation about what is lost or gained when children go to school in black and white.

Genres: American, Nonfiction

228 pages, Paperback

First published September 26, 2017

Reviews

[Anne Tofalo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed reading about the history of desegregation of the school system here in Durham. I feel better informed to vote about future education issues.

[Lee Lashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perspectives of desegregation

The authors of this book present their memories of desegregation at Hillside High School in Durham, NC. Their perspectives show different points of view for what happened and how it affected and continues to affect their lives. They also provide us with ways to question how to handle our own biases.

This would be a perfect book to use to begin dialogue on how to address some of our racial divides.

[Bigi Parsons · Rating 5 out of 5]

The events in this book, seen from two perspectives, are enormously revelatory and , I think, helpful for anyone who lives in the south of the United States. My takeaway from reading this book is that our political system has failed American students. In the 60s legislation encouraged the desegregation of schools but, in the end, the political power elite has over the years (and significantly so lately) let laws passed wither away until we have once again almost defacto school segregation. My second realization was Lahoma Smith Romocki's description of the power and support of her community as she strives for academic excellence with Cindy WAszak Geary's description of the relatively weak community support for less privileged white students.

[Juniper Lee · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this audiobook that I found on Scribd. It was read by the authors, which was really great in some parts (Like when Lahoma recalled her cheerleading days!). I liked hearing a more personal, slice of life telling of integration in North Carolina.
I’m not too sure why I just didn’t feel connected to this audiobook. The pacing was odd, with one author telling what happened in one year and then we would reconnect with the other authors experience of the same year in the next chapter.
It was ok, overall.

[Sheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading the perspectives of two women as they reflected on their time in a desegregated high school. Their stories and experiences are compelling and far more nuanced than I realized. The book is as enjoyable to read. It is also thought provoking and challenges some of my preconceived notions.

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting memoir by two American women, not much older than me, one black and one white. Because of court-ordered desegregation they both went to the same 'historically black' high school in Durham, North Carolina, in the 1970s. (They didn't know each other then but met many years later in a creative writing group). In alternate chapters they describe their experiences before, during and after school and how their schooling affected their lives.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great concept, mediocre execution