In 'Papa's Mark' by Gwnedolyn Battle-Lavert, Simms and his Papa knew how important the right to vote was to a black man living in the south during the 1960's. 'America could change for the better if all people had a say in the running of it,' was the consensus of the black community living in Lamar County. Even though the Fifteenth Amendment of the Constitution protected the rights of all people to vote, many restrictions were adopted in the southern states to make it impossible for members of the black community to exercise their rights. Gang violence, voting taxes, and literacy tests were obstacles instituted by many white communities to prevent the African-Americans from voting. So when Simm's Papa was able (after many nights of practice) to sign his own name at the voting booth, Samuel T. Blow could feel the winds of change shaping a newer and brighter America.
Similar authors: Deborah Wiles; Jacqueline Woodson;
Similar books: Freedom Summer by Deborah Wiles;
The Other side by Jacqueline Woodson;
Goin' Someplace Special by Pat McKissack;
Pop's Bridge by Eve Bunting;
Coolies by Yin
Date read: 8/1/2011
ISBN-10: 082341650X
ISBN-13: 9780823416509
Check the library catalog