"Freedom Lessons"

 

Colleen, and her husband, Miguel live in a small southern town in 1969, Jim Crow era.  Colleen teaches at the local secondary school which is all black, which a poor school that lacks funding, and resources for the students. Colleen tries to do her best, for the students. For example, she creates a reading program for the students. She realizes that none of her students have library cards, so she stops by the library to pick up some applications for her students. When she enters the library, she is greeted by a young white librarian, Colleen says she is there to pick up some library card applications for her and her  students, the young woman says "Of course"  She goes to get them. The young woman returns hands Colleen  a pen and the application, and says she'll be back to look it over and her  Driver's I.D. Colleen fills out the standard application. nothing really exciting until the young librarian comes back and ask Colleen if the application is for her? Her maiden name is on her Driver's I.D. it is Rodryekwiss. She hadn't had the chance to change her name. The young librarian says "She has never seen a woman that looks like her with a Mexican name." She goes to her boss to get the approval for her paperwork. He does. But of course.... The young librarian ask again who are the applications for? 24 students. 24 black students. The young woman goes to get the applications, and says she must get parents approval before the library card applications can be approved. The young librarian's tone changes when she realizes the applications are for black students and she says there are fines for overdues books, The library is across town from the poorer side of town, and how will the students get there? Colleen says she'll drive them. The young librarian's response to all of this is rather mocking, "Bless your heart you are what this town needs." The tones of racism are spoken loud and clear. This scene was so sad. Something as simple as trying to get a library card ends up being scary.  It doesn't stop there. Later, The school board, decides to hold the secondary school children and The high school kids back from moving on to the next grade and Graduation. There is an uprising and the fight is won. Meanwhile, a young black man named Frank is trying to do is best to survive.  He is the star football player who wants more for himself. He faces push back too. He is held back too because of his skin color. The whites in the community make sure of it. Just like, Colleen, Frank wants to create change, but when they do racism comes out.  It is a sad truth that is woven in this book, if you are black you are held down simply because you are black, but if you are white you are royalty. Racism runs deep town to its core then, and now. It is a silent unspoken, quiet still voice, that if not, stopped will never die. Ms. Sanchez, wrote a great piece of writing. I am honored I read it. This the kind of book that doesn't leave the reader after the last page is finished. 

F.T.C. Title 16 Disclaimer 

"I recieved a complimentary copy of this book from IReads Book Tour from the publisher. I am only required to post a review not necessarily positive or negative. All opinions are solely therein my own. "I am disclosing this in accordance with The F.T.C. Title 16 Part 255, "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."