The voice that challenged a nation: Marian Anderson and the struggle for equal rights

 
The voice that challenged a nation: Marian Anderson and the struggle for equal rights
by Russell Freedman
c2004, 114 p.
Reading Level: 8+
Interest Level: Grades 5+

Marian Anderson was an African American singer who loved to sing. Her talent was recognized by her church and school community at a young age and by age 10 she was asked to join the People’s Chorus, a choir of 100 of the best voices from black church choirs in Philadelphia. Andersen’s love for singing continued to grow as she did and eventually she was charging for public performances. After many years of professional education Andersen became an international success, traveling to Europe and singing in many different languages. Upon her return to the States, however, racism and prejudice was still everywhere. As Andersen’s popularity grew it became apparent that a large venue was needed for her to perform and  theDaughter’s of the American Revolution (DAR) were asked to use their Constitution Hall. When they denied the request based on a policy of disallowing African American performers there was public outcry. Even Eleanor Roosevelt withdrew her membership from the group in protest. On Easter, 1939 through the support of Mrs. Roosevelt and her friends, Andersen performed at the Lincoln Memorial to a crowd of 75,000.

This is a valuable book in the study of the American Civil Rights Movement because it provides a timeline on the struggle that African Americans faced. I think we often believe that the fight for equality did not begin on a large or public scale until the 1950s. Freedman presents this part of history in an accurate and accessible manner. He ends the book with chapter notes that reference his selected bibliography, allowing the curious reader or the student working on a report a place to go for more information.