Uncover America’s Untold Stories on a Riveting Road Trip Through History with Beverly Gage
Even as a reader well-versed in that part of American history, I was glad to learn some new things from Gage. Beyond the facts, though, what makes this chapter (and numerous others) stand out is Gage’s willingness to probe beyond the basics. She notes that much of the messaging along the Civil Rights Trail emphasizes America’s “progress,” then pauses to consider the tension between that message and the present-day reality in much of the region, which faces “unemployment, poverty, resegregation, pollution and population loss.” The “comforting narrative” of progress is called into question by Montgomery based lawyer and activist, Bryan Stevnson, whose perspective and work Gage highlights in this chapter.
