Mighty Justice, Dovey Johnson Roundtree and Katie McCabe
From the first page, it is difficult not to be touched by the brutal honesty of this author. Her life was not easy. Jim Crow laws constantly obstructed her endeavors, but she never seemed to falter or give up her goals. Born in 1914, Dovey lived a long and fruitful life. She left her mark on history. Early on, she wanted to study medicine, but she eventually changed course and went into the law instead, but not before she helped to start a branch of the Women’s Auxiliary Army Corps for women of color. She also became an ordained minister. When she reached the age 104, in 2018, she joined her maker.
Although this story was written a decade ago, with the title Justice Under the Law, it is being republished now as a paperback. It is even more pertinent today. It is written with a fine clear-headed approach to civil rights, without the anger that is so prevalent in current books that attempt to deal with and describe the battle for equality for all or, better put, for human rights for everyone, equally.
Dovey, with the help of her co-author, has written this book with an exceptional amount of respect for every incident she experienced. She was a trailblazer who paved the way for the repeal of Jim Crow laws that cruelly enforced segregation. Because she lived such a long life, this book covers the history of many racial issues, particularly the practice of separate but equal opportunity in schools, in transportation, and on the battlefield. With her partner, Julius Robertson, she fought for equal rights for people of color and accomplished much with the NAACP. They fought for the cause of women’s rights as well. Undaunted by anything placed in her way, she marched on to success, against all odds.
I think this book should be required reading because it clearly and concisely truly explains the civil rights issues faced throughout history and to this day. Dovey’s actions and vision always seemed to be driven first, by compassion coupled with ambition and a need to participate in the civil rights struggle and better the world. She works with names that are written on the pages of history and yet were unknown to me. Some were common knowledge, like Martin Luthor King and Thurgood Marshall, others were less known like Dr Mary McLeod Bethune, and lesser known like her professor, the Reverend James Madison Nabrit and her savior, Mae Neptune. These people deserve their day in the sun because their efforts truly did change the world.
Although she was angry when young, once she overcame her anger towards white people, Dovey Johnson Roundtree used her energy to improve the plight of others and to benefit the cause of civil rights in positive ways. Her heroine was a white teacher who inspired and led her in many ways to see inside herself and to carefully examine the problems she would face. She rescued her on many occasions and introduced her to other civil rights activists of the day. Dovey’s family instilled in her a feeling of self worth and she spent most of her life helping others to do the same. She was a heroine in all ways!
I was interested in the facts about Plessy vs Brown, from which the idea of “separate but equal” was established. It seems that the judge thought that races sought to be together, yet today, the opposite seems to be the goal. People are becoming more and more tribal in a culture becoming more and more infused with identity politics. Those who once sought to be united, are now seeking to divide themselves again with safe spaces, ethnic dorms, classes only for those with similar backgrounds, and custom curriculums designed for specific groups of people. Is this the way of the future?
In conclusion, there is a truth to this book that is often absent in books about racial discrimination and the fight for equality and civil rights. Roundtree’s telling is so heartfelt and cites so many real incidents that the reader can identify with, that the book becomes more important by the page. She rolls up her sleeves every time she faces defeat and fights back with intellect, not emotion or anger, brains not brawn. She faces all the aspects of discrimination anyone could face and stares them down with courage and character.
Her gentle way of telling the story gives the reader pause. How could someone so harassed by society be so patient and peaceful in her approach while at the same time waging war against the establishment? Read it slowly in order to absorb the treasure trove of philosophy as well as information.

I enjoyed this book from a woman's perspective about the Civil Rights era. It was a great read for Women's History Month. Her time in the Army during World War II was my favorite part, although her relationship with her family was really touching. The writing was a little dense though and I got bogged down in places.

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review