4 out of 4 stars
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This reviewer is old enough to have experienced segregation. One of my earliest memories is of being a pre-schooler on the bus with my grandmother. We had to go to the middle of the bus because the only empty seats were between the white section at the front and the black section at the rear. A handsome young black man with sparkling dark eyes and a glossy mustache gave me a dazzling smile. I was fascinated. I had never seen a man with a mustache before, so I said, “Grandma, look. Look at the man.” She roughly pulled me back into the seat facing forward, scolding me. “We do not point out those people,” she said. From this experience, I could empathize completely when Dr. Ellis said of one of her teachers, “He put me in a category, and put me in my place.”
From Liberty to Magnolia: In search of the American Dream is an autobiography by Janice S. Ellis, Ph.D. Her journey begins as a black child in the turbulent 50s and 60s. She then relates her education, her marriage, and child rearing in the 70s and 80s. She ends with her later encounters with corporate and political barriers to her advancement. Her account is inspiring and thought-provoking.
Janice Ellis relates the story of her life from childhood in Liberty, Mississippi, to the present day. She details how she studied, prepared, and worked as hard as she needed to in order to make her own opportunities, despite the hurdles and barriers of racial injustice and sexual repression. She was, indeed, her mother’s “driven child.” Today, Dr. Ellis holds four degrees in political science and communication, and is famous as a columnist, radio commentator, business executive, and child advocate. She is widely published as an analyst on race and equality in America, following in the tradition of Eric Sevareid, her inspiration.
Her journey includes poignant memories of her parents retreating from white children who spat at them. Their restraint and quiet dignity were in stark contrast to the hateful violence that touched many of the author’s friends and neighbors in the turbulent civil rights era. Her family imparted strength, valued education, and instilled pride in young Janice. They fostered a safe and supportive atmosphere as they farmed their own land during this dangerous and deadly time.
I would like to describe this book as the writer’s journey to free herself from the fear and prejudice of the Deep South, to find the grace and beauty of the American dream. However, Dr. Ellis’ life was never about escape - quite the contrary. She confronts adversity with unbelievable energy and determination to make a positive impact on the world around her. She faces life with expectancy, holding an abiding faith that her destiny is in no man’s hands but her own. No parent, teacher, husband, or employer could define her or limit her ambitions. Her destiny was constrained only by the will of God and her own capability. “You can’t,” was unacceptable to her.
I liked that her efforts were not fueled by anger, resentment or defiance. Never once did she portray herself as a victim, even when being physically abused by her first husband. Her writing is courageous, clear, unapologetic, and was not unduly critical of the situation. She portrays the world as it is and details the incidents of racism and sexism she experiences with the professional journalist’s emotional distance. I admired her sharp intellect, measured logic, and resolute posture when faced with blatant discrimination. I appreciated her willingness to put herself in uncomfortable positions to further the advancement of equality. We should all be so brave.
As expected of a communications expert, the book is very professionally compiled and flawlessly written. The only part of the book that I would shorten, if I could, is the middle section quoting Walter Lippmann at length. I realize that her Ph.D. focused on Lippmann’s work from some 4,000 documents that she read, but From Liberty to Magnolia is about Janice Ellis. I would much rather hear about her. I would have been more interested in hearing how she synthesized the various monographs that she includes as appendices. I particularly liked the one about politics as a spectator sport. It is even more apropos now than when it was written.
To summarize, Dr. Janice Ellis has given us hope that belief in love and respect for humankind, and a desire to make life better will yield an incremental improvement in the human race. I award her my humble 4 out of 4 stars to add to the collection of awards that her book has already won. I urge women of career age to read her account, whether black or white, just entering school or reaching for the glass ceiling. It will be time well spent.
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From Liberty to Magnolia: In Search of the American Dream
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