See the cover and read an excerpt of And We Rise by Erica Martin, a powerful, impactful, eye-opening journey that explores through the Civil Rights Movement in 1950s-1960s America in spare and evocative verse, with historical photos interspersed throughout.

Scroll down to start reading!

Jacket designer: Theresa Evangelista

Illustrator: Adriana Bellet (@jeezvanilla)

 

It’s 1877 when

 

Jim Crow laws say it’s

acceptable

legal

lawful

to segregate Blacks

&

whites

based on the color of

their skin.

 

In

schools

hospitals

churches

cemeteries

prisons

public transit

restaurants—

 

if you were not

white

you were lesser

less than

human.

 

For years

&

years

&

years

&

years

 

nothing changed,

 

until 1954

when the Supreme Court reversed its decision

& ruled segregation unconstitutional.

 

Yet still,

nothing changed.

 

Because a ruling is only as effective

as its real-world execution.

 

 

the Supreme Court rules

 

in 1896

blacks are

“Separate but Equal”

 

yet

outside

in the middle of July

in Birmingham, Alabama

sweat drips

 

d

o

w

n

 

your forehead

your neck

your back

 

drenching

 

your shirt

your shorts

your socks

 

s e p a r a t e

but equal

 

you find a water fountain

your water fountain

and press the small rusty button

 

water arches

up

 

and out

waiting

for your

puck ered

lips

 

s e p a r a t e

but equal

 

only

 

it’s hot

brown

tastes like dirt

 

you glance around

checking for them

 

then

 

sneak a sip

from their fountain

 

s e p a r a t e

but equal

 

it’s cold

ice-cold

and refreshing

 

you sigh

 

s e p a r a t e

 

but equal

you are

not.

 

 

 

the Civil Rights Movement

 

was more than just

 

Dr. King

marching,

Rosa Parks

sitting,

Malcolm X,

fighting.

 

it was

 

your mom

your grandma

your best friend’s great aunt.

 

it was

everyday people

 

like you            and me.

 

 

1954

May 17

 

Brown v. Board of Education

+

inherently unequal, an unconstitutional violation of the fourteenth amendment

 

=

 

black schools

 

+

white schools

 

=

a great day for America and its court.

 

= segregation in public schools now illegal

 

 

 

 

 

in theory.

Signs, Everywhere you go . . . whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites ONLY

for colored

their (other) signs read

 

 

funny thing is

 

white is still a color

 

Preorder your copy here!

 

 

Are you all caught up on the amazing covers dropping? See the epic cover of Margot Mertz Takes It Down here!