Race Relations in the United States, 1960-1980 (Race Relations in the United States Series)

Few decades in American history were as full of drama and historical significance as the 1960s and 1970s. In the 1960s, a revolution in race relations occurred, seeing the rise of the Civil Rights Movement, Black Power, the American Indian Movement, and the Latino labor movement. The focus in the 1970s was on carrying out the reforms of the previous decade, with resulting white backlash. Few decades have interested students today as much, and this volume is THE content-rich source in a desirable decade-by-decade organization to help students and general readers understand the crucial race relations of the recent past. Race Relations in the United States, 1960-1980 provides comprehensive reference coverage of the key events, influential voices, race relations by group, legislation, media influences, cultural output, and theories of inter-group interactions.

Few decades in American history were as full of drama and historical significance as the 1960s and 1970s. In the 1960s, a revolution in race relations occurred, seeing the rise of the Civil Rights Movement, Black Power, the American Indian Movement, and the Latino labor movement. The focus in the 1970s was on carrying out the reforms of the previous decade, with resulting white backlash. Few decades have interested students today as much, and this volume is THE content-rich source in a desirable decade-by-decade organization to help students and general readers understand the crucial race relations of the recent past. Race Relations in the United States, 1960-1980 provides comprehensive reference coverage of the key events, influential voices, race relations by group, legislation, media influences, cultural output, and theories of inter-group interactions.

The volume covers two decades with a standard format coverage per decade, including Timeline, Overview, Key Events, Voices of the Decade, Race Relations by Group, Law and Government, Media and Mass Communications, Cultural Scene, Influential Theories and Views of Race Relations, Resource Guide. This format allows comparison of topics through the decades. The bulk of the coverage is topical essays, written in a clear, encyclopedic style. Historical photos, a selected bibliography, and index complement the text.

School Library Journal

Gr 9 Up

Covering a volatile period, this volume provides a thorough overview of the African-American, Latino-American, American-Indian, and Asian-American civil rights movements. Unsurprisingly, a large section of the book is devoted to the struggle of African Americans in the face of often violent opposition, chronicling the campaigns of Martin Luther King, Jr., the freedom rides, and the sit-ins, and discussing the 1963 March on Washington. The volume also provides an account of the many protesters, black and white, murdered because they sought to improve African Americans' lives. Additionally, Upchurch discusses César Chávez's efforts to empower migrant farm workers; the movement led by Russell Means and other American Indians to regain Native lands; and individuals such as Bruce Lee, Freddie Prinze, Flip Wilson, and Jimi Hendrix, and their collective impact on the culture. It should be noted, however, that Upchurch is best at simply retelling the story and at relaying facts. He tends to lose his objectivity when discussing Black Power. He states, for example, that Newark, New Jersey's CORE had "fallen victim to the Black Power heresy." Moreover, careful reading shows Upchurch taking a few pot shots at Martin Luther King, Jr., whom he labels a "star," a "media darling," and a "likeable fellow." He implies that King lived, at least in one situation, hypocritically, removing himself and his wife from substandard housing during a Chicago demonstration. Still, the overall story of these various movements is told well.-Carol Jones Collins, Columbia High School, Maplewood, NJ

THOMAS ADAMS UPCHURCH is Assistant Professor of History at East Georgia College.