Description
Book SynopsisThis thought-provoking book delves into the racial, political, and social turmoil surrounding the Richmond Unified School District (RUSD) during a critical period of attempted school desegregation through busing in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Authoritative and deeply personal, the author combines field observations, interviews, and historical analysis to uncover the dynamics of a community torn apart by the integration of schools. What began as a court-ordered initiative to desegregate elementary schools quickly escalated into a heated battle between pro-busing liberal coalitions and newly galvanized conservative factions. The book examines the underlying racial tensions, class divisions, and ideological conflicts that defined this period, offering a microcosmic view of broader struggles in American society. In recounting the RUSD's journey from liberal-moderate governance to conservative dominance, the book exposes the intricate dynamics of grassroots mobilization, ideological
