In this incisive examination of racial integration, award-winning journalist Laura Meckler explores the complexities of progress in housing, education, and community. Shaker Heights, once a national model for housing integration in the late 1950s and later celebrated for its racially integrated schools, serves as the focal point of her investigation. The school district, renowned for its academic excellence and diversity, exemplified how white and Black Americans could coexist and thrive. Drawing from her own experiences in Shaker Heights, Meckler delves into the community's intricate history and ongoing struggles to distinguish myth from reality. She poses a critical question: despite the community's efforts toward racial equity, why does a racial academic achievement gap remain? Through the narratives of Shakerites, Meckler examines the potential for well-meaning individuals to fulfill the promise of racial integration in America. What does success entail, and what sacrifices are expected from Black Americans and white residents alike? The result is a nuanced portrait of a community that, while imperfect, has achieved significant progress, offering insights for other communities striving for similar goals.
