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Political Memoir From The Busing Era: A Journey Through Race, Class, and Education

Andrew Bell

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Turmoil and Transition in Boston: A Political Memoir from the Busing Era

by Chris Black

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	13283 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	234 pages

Louise Day Hicks was a member of the Boston School Committee during the tumultuous busing era. Her new memoir, Political Memoir From The Busing Era, provides a unique and personal perspective on one of the most important civil rights struggles in American history.

Hicks was a young, white, middle-class woman when she was first elected to the School Committee in 1973. She quickly became a target of anti-busing protesters, who picketed her home and threatened her life. Despite the threats, Hicks remained committed to her belief that all children deserved a quality education, regardless of their race or socioeconomic status.

In her memoir, Hicks recounts the challenges and triumphs of her time on the School Committee. She writes about the bitter fights over busing, the resistance from white parents, and the courage of the black and brown students who fought for their right to a better education.

Hicks' memoir is a valuable contribution to the history of the busing era. It is a personal story that sheds light on one of the most important civil rights struggles in American history.

The Busing Era

The busing era was a period of time in the United States from the late 1960s to the early 1980s when school districts were ordered by federal courts to bus students to achieve racial integration. The goal of busing was to desegregate schools and provide all students with equal access to quality education.

Busing was a controversial policy that sparked widespread protests and violence. Many white parents opposed busing, arguing that it would lower the quality of education in their children's schools. They also feared that busing would lead to increased crime and white flight from cities.

Despite the opposition, busing was successful in desegregating many schools. It also helped to raise awareness of the issue of educational inequality in the United States. However, busing also had some negative consequences. It led to increased racial tensions in some communities, and it did not always result in improved educational outcomes for students.

Louise Day Hicks

Louise Day Hicks was born in Boston in 1943. She attended Boston public schools and graduated from Boston University with a degree in education. After working as a teacher, Hicks was elected to the Boston School Committee in 1973.

Hicks served on the School Committee for three terms. During her time on the Committee, she was a strong advocate for busing and other policies designed to improve educational equity. She also worked to increase funding for Boston public schools.

Hicks left the School Committee in 1983. She went on to work as a consultant and advocate for educational reform. She is currently a professor of education at Boston College.