The Southern United States, 1960s

The greater context of this story is the southern states of America in the 1960s. This was a society that was racially divided because of segregation laws and African American people were yet to be granted full access to the vote.

Selma, Alabama

Lynda grows up in Selma, Alabama, where strict segregation laws divided black and white people. She lived in the George Washington Carver Homes, where “everyone was black,” and they had their own black churches, schools, and facilities (13). She felt safe in this community because the members of the community supported and helped one another.

Brown Chapel

The African American community in Selma gathered at Brown Chapel for mass meetings, speeches by leaders like Dr. King, and to rally together for marches and demonstrations. This church is the hub of the movement described in this book.

The Sweatbox

There are several...