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Their Highest Potential: An African American School Community in the Segregated South

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Their Highest Potential, written by Vanessa Siddle Walker, is an extensively researched book specifically covering a southern African American school community in Caswell County, North Carolina until its last year of segregated operation ending in 1969. The book focuses during the period of legalized segregation of public schools and how African American students were not equally as funded compared to that of white schools. Regardless of the unequal funding and the poorer facilities, Walker goes further in detail about how the untold story of this school system in Caswell County was able to provide the means necessary for their students to succeed to their highest potential. Walker states, to remember segregated schools largely by recalling only their poor resources presents a historically incomplete picture (p. 3). Through a series of interviews, Walker incorporates vivid memories of the past to help bring to life the existence and development of Caswell County High School. The book begins explaining how the environment and atmosphere of segregated schools was actually a good thing for black children. In segregated schools there was no conflict of racism nor did black children recognize themselves as a minority. Within the segregated school they were not treated like second rate citizens, but they received the attention and education they deserved, despite the lack of resources. Through out the years the school board reluctantly provided any materials necessary for satisfactory operation. Yet, the black community continuously in the dilemma of not having resources and room for the growing number of people, still managed to enlighten students. Determined parents time after time lobbied for a new school with the help from N. Longworth Dillard, the principal. Eventually, the overcrowded Rosenwald School moved to the newly built Caswell County Training School in March of 1951. After years of prying, the people finally had the newest and largest school in the county (p 61). During its time, the school became the only accredited school in the county by the Southern Association of Schools and Colleges in 1955 and remained that way until after desegregation (p. 8). The forming of Caswell County Training School was dedicated to Dillard's perseverance but could not have been accomplished if it was not for the parental advocates. Advocates in which Walker calls them, were adults who took an active role in seeking the materials needed for the children. These advocates positioned themselves between the needs of the school and the lack of response from the school board (p 65). Whether it was from parents donating lumber to teachers staying after to help a student, the community made an environment that produced achievement. With this unified effort, black children received the education they deserved despite the hardships of having less than adequate supplies. In particular, this school system was the ideal learning institution where the principal, teachers, parents, and students all worked together to achieve common goals

This is a marvelously well-written book, easy to read, compelling personal accounts, providing an in-depth look at the socio-cultural dynamics of a segregated community from an empowering African American POV. As a yankee and a layperson, this was an introduction to the subject matter for me, and it provided a great perspective on the interplay between local politics and wider legislative actions at the national level. It tended to be a little redundant at times, but the story is so compelling, and the voices so authentic, I really did not mind.