Life on the Color Line

I have begun reading 'Life on the Color Line' and have found the book though tragic, very entertaining and enlightening. The story focuses on the life of a young boy who grows up in 1950's America under the impression that he is white. As his parent's marriage begins to fall apart he comes to the realization that his father is half black and he himself is of mixed race. As his world crumbles around him his father moves back home to Muncie, Indiana where the author's life really becomes difficult. Not white and not black he is living life on the color line. I am about halfway through the book and I can barely put it down, WOW. Comment from those who have read this book are greatly appreciated.

All Deliberate Speed is finished

I have finally finished Ogletree's retrospective look at the Brown v. BOE II case decided in 1955. Ogletree attempts to look into the, "why's," of why Brown v. BOE failed. After reading the rather arrogant historical look at the post Brown era I gleaned the following reasons for the failure. First, and probably the most damaging was the change in the Supreme Court from a more activist liberal court to a introverted conservative court. Secondly, was the societal apathy toward activism both on the part of whites and black, although blacks to a far lesser extent. Lastly, if I am reading the book correctly is the weakening of the many black activist groups such as the NAACP. I would have to agree with the author on all these points. However, his arrogant style of writing is so hard to cut through that readers may wonder at times if J. Ogletree is writing an acceptance speech on civil rights or writing a scholarly piece of historical non-fiction. With that said, I have to admit I found the book quite informative and useful. In particular the Bakke and Anita Hill chapters were very enlightening. Ogletree's look into the history of the black communities most powerful legal friend, Thurgood Marshall is interesting and a great read. Likewise the synopsis of Clarence Thomas as a Justice is both riveting and worrisome. I found the book educational, entertaining, and dripping with egotism. Any thoughts from those who have had the pleasure??