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The Help (linked to Jennifer’s review on 5 Minutes for Books) brought to light issues of class and race in Mississippi during the time of Jim Crow. Segregation was a very real part of recent history in the South, and as someone born and raised in the North, it still shocks me how black Americans were treated not so long ago. The Secret of Magic brings together the idealism of blacks in the North with Southern traditions and segregation.
Joe Howard Wilson has just returned from fighting in Italy, a decorated soldier who lost his best friend in World War II. The bus he is riding to his home in Revere, Mississippi is boarded by a man who demands that the blacks give up their seats for German POWs. Furious at this treatment at the behest of the enemy, Joe Howard refuses to leave the bus, and ends up dead for his troubles.
Regina Robichard is a young black lawyer working her dream job for Thurgood Marshall at the Negro Defense Fund in New York City. She intercepts a letter meant for Marshall, written by one M.P. Calhoun, requesting an investigation into Joe Howard’s death on behalf of Joe Howard’s father, Willie Willie. Ms. Calhoun is the famous reclusive author of a children’s book, also called The Secret of Magic, a book that Regina loved as a child, so Regina convinces Marshall to let her spend two weeks in Revere to see if she can bring justice to Joe Howard’s family.
Regina is not surprised that she has to move to the rear of the train or use separate restrooms, but she does not expect the separation between whites and blacks to be as large as it is. She’s also surprised that most of the residents of Revere not only know what happened to Joe Howard, they accept it as part of the way of life. Regina’s attempts to obtain information are blocked from many directions but she doesn’t give up. The racism she encounters also dredge up issues from her own past, but the strong values instilled by her mother enable her to work through her own personal issues while continuing to seek justice for Joe Howard.
The Secret of Magic novel is a stark reminder of how far we’ve come, yet we still have a lot of ground to cover before race relations are no longer an issue.
This novel is a good tie-in to Black History Month and an important read for everyone.
Win it!
Enter to win the giveaway below by following the instructions in the widget below, starting off by leaving a comment telling me your most memorable book or movie experience in regards to Black History.
Ronda says
The Help, very good.
Jenny says
To Kill a Mockingbird
Nancy says
I entered the Pioneer Girl book giveaway.
jeremy mclaughlin says
My wife liked The Help
Lt says
The Widow From The South.
Ashley Fryer says
A Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela.
Diana Hatch says
I also like The Help
Annmarie W. says
I entered your Hungry Caterpillar giveaway!
Annmarie W. says
I still haven’t read or seen the Help, but I hear it’s great. I really liked Driving Miss Daisy…would that count?
Tammy H says
I would say The Help
Pamela j says
i entered the hungry, hungry catapiller book giveaway.
Pamela j says
To kill a mockingbird.
Danielle Jones says
The Help is the most recent movie dealing with race relations that I have watched.
Nannypanpan says
Entered on grace
Teresa Thompson says
The Help was amazing.
Rachel Cartwright says
The Help was really fantastic.
liz l says
To kill a mockingbird
Gayle S says
A movie that was so powerful it will forever be one I think about in regards to race relations is Roots. I loved it!
Caralyn Rubli says
John Waters’ Hairspray!
Corey Olomon says
Ghosts of Mississippi
Kim Tanti says
Roots. WOW every one should watch that one.
MCGmandy says
Secret Life of Bees
JENNIFER HART says
The novel “Power of One”
Darlene Schuller says
The Green Mile
brittany laws says
the blind side!
Karla T says
The Help was a great book
ASHLEY COSSETTE says
i asboolutely loved the blind side!
Jenny Q. says
The Color Purple
Dawn Monroe says
My pick would be Glory but Sounder is a great eye opener also.
Dana says
the miniseries Roots
vickie couturier says
to kill a mockingbird
Zoe says
The movie Guess Who’s COming to Dinner is a movie I will never forget!
maggie says
I believe the butler
Christine says
The Help and the color purple
Janice Cooper says
I would say Color Purple and Hotel Rwanda
DEBIJOT says
I think for me it was Lillies of the Field with Sidney Poiter.
danielle says
The help was a great movie!
nannypanpan says
mandela
[email protected]
Debbie Welchert says
I’d have to say the movie The Color Purple.
Trish F says
The mini series Roots was well done and definitely a subject of race.
Susan P. says
The Help and To Kill a Mockingbird
Jodi says
The Help! The movie was good, but the book is way better!
Bonnie Way says
I LOVED The Help (we saw the movie). It was soooo good! Another book I’ve enjoyed is Passing By Samaria which talks about the race riots in Chicago. And All the Way Home talks about the internment of Japanese citizens in America during WW2 – another good read. 🙂
Kristina says
One movie that was eye opening was The Help!
letessha says
Glory is the movie I can remember regarding race relations.
Linda Kish says
The Help. But, I think I learned more by living during that time.
Tara says
To Kill a Mockingbird
Marya says
Pink and Say by Patricia Polacco
Shannon G says
I would say Lean on Me with Morgan Freeman.
LindaStewart says
The Help or maybe The Color Purple
Randalyn says
The help. Definitely an eye opener.
Jeanna says
I really enjoyed The Help. My son’s class has been reading Addie The American Girl & he is really enjoying that book.
Nancy says
I’d say the book The Help.
Heather B says
Definitely The Help
Daniel M says
recently watched the butler
Marti Tabora says
I think that would have to be The Help, it was really a great read. Thank you.
anne says
The Widow From The South.
Katherine I. says
IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT, starring Sidney Poitier and Rod Steiger.
rhonda says
The Help an eye opener!
Deedee says
The Help – and The Butler. Both were eye opening for me!
Karen Lynch says
The Round House by Louise Erdrich