Changing Corners

De: Betty May

Narrado por: Melanie Huesz

The 1950's teenagers are often called the “do-nothing” generation. Consumed by their cars, poodle skirts, and dance parties, they appear to be an unconcerned lot. However, their seemingly nonchalant, selfish lives had more to do with lack of awareness than lack of caring. Many, when confronted with the truth about racial inequality, became activists in civil rights issues - sometimes, with tragic results.

Now, in the 21st century, the struggle continues.

Bobbie doesn’t believe the Southern attitude toward people of color applies to her Northern world. Phillis lived in Mississippi and endured the worst effects of racial hatred, generating a mind filled with fear, distrust, bitterness, and anger. Friends when they were 5 years old, the two reunite in a late 1950s Long Island high school.

Phillis must convince Bobbie to confront the reality of racism in their community, even as they fight for the right to be friends. With humor and drama, Phillis, Bobbie, and a diverse group of teenagers wage battle to change their corner of the world.

At first, they succeed. They share high school highs and lows and first romances. Their euphoric lives collapse when officials accuse Phillis of arson. A riot ensues, and police arrive, guns drawn. They must expose the true culprits and clear Phillis’s name before she faces undeserved years in prison.

©2015 Elizabeth Jane May (Betty May) (P)2020 Elizabeth Jane May (Betty May)

A timely topic for us all

This would be a perfect reading assignment for middle schoolers to include round table discussions afterwards. So well written that it took me right back to that age and our similar antics. However, we never considered race issues during that era. The time is finally ripe today. What took us so long?