Examining Issues Through Political Cartoons - Civil Rights (hardcover edition)

This anthology features cartoons drawn during the 1960s civil rights struggle as well as more recent sketches commenting on the legacy of the civil rights movement. Jules Feiffer, Ollie Harrington, Signe Wilkinson, and other cartoonists editorialize on issues such as the 1964 Civil Rights Act, racial integration, affirmative action, and multiculturalism.

Grade 7 Up-Williams does an excellent job of providing readers with an overview of African Americans' struggle for those rights enjoyed by other citizens and of the historical role of the political cartoon. Her introduction is succinct, clear, and thoughtful. Four chapters ("The Struggle for Justice," "Has the Civil Rights Movement Benefited Minorities?" "How Has Affirmative Action Affected Civil Rights?" and "What Is the Legacy of the Civil Rights Movement?") examine three to six cartoons each. All are reproduced in the book, and information about the artist is provided. Historically, political cartoons have not only represented views, but they have also shaped views in myriad ways. Herein lies the book's flaw; in the number and type of cartoons selected and in the topics and issues emphasized, this slim volume is only able to offer a glimpse into the available material. Still, there is no question about its intrinsic value. It represents a good beginning and may encourage further exploration of this topic.
Carol Jones Collins, Columbia High School, Maplewood, NJ
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