Freedom in the Family: A Mother-Daughter Memoir of the Fight for Civil Rights

by Tananarive Due, Patricia Stephens Due

Patricia Stephens Due fought for justice during the height of the Civil Rights era. Her daughter, Tananarive, grew up deeply enmeshed in the values of a family committed to making right whatever they saw as wrong. Together, in alternating chapters, they have written a paean to the movement—its hardships, its nameless foot soldiers, and its achievements—and an incisive examination of the future of justice in this country. Their mother-daughter journey spanning two generations of struggles is an unforgettable story.

Genres: History, Memoir, Nonfiction, Biography, Feminism, Race, Womens

394 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

TANANARIVE DUE (tah-nah-nah-REEVE doo) is the award-winning author of The Wishing Pool & Other Stories and the upcoming The Reformatory ("A masterpiece"--Library Journal). She and her husband, Steven Barnes, co-wrote the Black Horror graphic novel The Keeper, illustrated by Marco Finnegan. Due and Barnes co-host a podcast, "Lifewriting: Write for Your Life!"

A leading voice in Black speculative fiction for more than 20 years, Due has won an American Book Award, an NAACP Image Award, and a British Fantasy Award, and her writing has been included in best-of-the-year anthologies. Her books include Ghost Summer: Stories, My Soul to Keep, and The Good House. She and her late mother, civil rights activist Patricia Stephens Due, co-authored Freedom in the Family: A Mother-Daughter Memoir of the Fight for Civil Rights. She and her husband live with their son, Jason.

Reviews

[ribbonknight · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book in preparation for Tananarive Due being one of the Guests of Honor at WisCon, a feminist science fiction convention that tries to be progressive on many social justice issues, including race.

This book alternates chapters that are written by Tananarive and her mother, Patricia Stephens Due, who was first jailed as a student protesting segregation in the 1960s. The book is a story of a family, of activism in a local community and how it knits you together with people you otherwise never would have met. It's a story about the toll activism can take on families, on individual people, on friendships, on health. It's also a story of how America has treated and continues to treat black people.

I feel honored to have been able to read this book, as I feel it let me know and understand both authors in a way that reading someone's fiction cannot. (I'll still be trying Due's fiction, don't worry.)

I think anyone would benefit from reading this, both for pleasure as it is well-written and interesting, as well as for necessity, as the history it describes is both shocking and inspiring, in laying out what all ordinary people are capable of doing for their societies.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very well done book about the Civil Rights fight in Florida. Yes, you read that right -- Florida. We think of "the South," i.e. Mississippi and Alabama, as the central locations of the fight for equal rights, but Patricia Stephens Due tells a compelling history of the fight in her home state that stands as strong as her neighbors to the north.

I have read enough of the history of the Civil Rights era that for much of the book, I wasn't sure that reading this was adding to my general knowledge base. Certainly it taught me much about *Florida's* struggle to change (and it does this very well!), but I wasn't sure if it added any different perspective on the *general* time and fight. But as the book went on, I realized that it did offer two things that perhaps no other book I've read had offered.

First, by offering both the mother's and the daughter's perspectives, we get a fascinating look at what Civil Rights work did to families, and we hear this from both sides. We hear what the children of Civil Rights activists absorbed from their parents, how they viewed the world, what fights they thought were fighting themselves, and what they thought should now be their due because of their parents' activities. This was utterly fascinating, once it occurred to me to pay attention. (It was there all along; I just focused on it more partway through the book once it dawned on me that this book had this as an unusual gift to the reader.)

The second gift that this book brings that very few books about the Civil Rights fight brings is that the authors tracked down many, many of the activists from that era during the researching of the book (I'm sure this is common) and not only told the story of the fight *back then,* but also tell us about what the fight back then means to them *now.* We hear about the cost, in physical health, family, mental health, and many other ways, that these fighters paid in order to change a broken system. I don't think I know of a single other book that does that, besides _The Rebellious Life of Rosa Parks_. We need to hear more of this. Fighters gave everything, not only during that era, but for decades after.

All in all, an amazing book.

[Phyllis | Mocha Drop · Rating 4 out of 5]

Freedom in the Family by mother-daughter authors, Tananarive Due and Patricia Stephens Due, is an account of their family's involvement in the Civil Rights movement. Told in alternating chapters, the book recounts the contributions of their family, friends and supporters in an autobiographical format. Patricia Due carefully shares her personal family history as foundation for her motivation and attraction toward the principles of racial equality. She drew courage and strength from the examples her parents provided in daily life. She covers the fear, anxiety, blood, sweat, and tears that resulted from numerous sit-in's, freedom rides, marches, and rallies in such detail that I felt I had witnessed them myself. She shares her pain and dedication in heartfelt passages such as the loss of a baby during a voter registration project. Tananarive's viewpoint is that of a daughter living in the post-Civil Rights era. Her story recaps the difficulty of growing up in largely white neighborhoods and schools and of being ostracized by both blacks for being "too white" and whites for being "too black". The details of her struggle and childhood observations of her parent's lives are equally compelling as her mother's.
This novel is a wonderful history lesson that includes details that uncover the fortitude and determination of many unsung heroes. The personal sacrifices (suspension/expulsion from college, permanent physical injury, and death) of "everyday people" for the sake of justice are truly admirable and honorable.

For this reviewer, this book was particularly touching because Patricia goes into great detail about the forming of CORE and other noteworthy events happening at FAMU during the same era when my parents, aunts, and uncles attended. She also mentions events in other small towns in Florida where other members of my family lived, so key passages sparked a lot of memories --resulting in me getting a very personal slant on my family's viewpoints on the struggle while reading this book. This body of work is truly a labor of love and a great accomplishment for the Due family; one can only imagine the countless hours it took to pull it all together. It is an excellent memoir, a beautiful legacy, and a definite keepsake for me!

[Cardyn Brooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's the intimate family volley of thoughts, observations, and insights within the context of regional, national, and international sociopolitical events that distinguishes Freedom in the Family from typical Civil Rights memoirs. Contrasts in points of view between parent versus child and elder versus youngster magnify the nuances of their personal experiences. Icons and celebrities are mentioned, but it's history as recalled through deep private memories that makes this book a distinctive examination of trials, tribulations, and triumphs.

Make sure to read every word: dedication, 33 chapters of alternating points of view, two sets of acknowledgments, and extensive notes.

https://blerdybingereader.blogspot.co...

[Kilana Vosburgh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This should be required reading in the USA.

[Janet]

Terrific book. Very well told, and puts you inside the civil rights battle from the viewpoint of the woman sitting at the lunch counter -- or in jail.

[Charles Collyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Freedom in the Family is a compelling and detailed personal memoir of the civil rights movement in Florida. It is told in alternating chapters by Tananarive Due (the novelist and historian) and her mother, Patricia Stevens Due, a legend in Florida's black community for her powerful example as a civil rights leader. Highly recommended for those who want a granular feel for the day-to-day struggles of activists who have the patience to pursue a life-long mission.

[Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book closes with Patricia Stephens Due stating "History happens one person at a time.". This is a remarkable memoir covering two generations in a families fight for civil rights but it is so much more than that. It is a snapshot of America from a view most American's will never see. Most importantly, it is an honor to many of America's unsung hero's!

[Anne Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you know a teenager or college student who has any interest in the history of civil rights, I highly recommend for him or her this mother-daughter narrative by Florida activist Patricia Stephens Due and her daughter, writer Tananarive Due. It's called Freedom in the Family: A Mother-Daughter Memoir of the Fight for Civil Rights. Pat was one of the protesters who was arrested doing sit-ins at lunch counters and other protests when she was in college and writes a fascinating story about what it was like to be young and black and female at that time (as well as part of a mixed-race extended family, and eventually the wife of civil rights lawyer John Due). Tananarive was in college during the time when people were pushing South Africa to free Mandela and end Apartheid. Her story involves more of the current tension of growing up in a mostly integrated but sometimes still dramatically segregated society. Both authors start their stories when they are young, so they tell their own coming-of-age stories -- though they are very different, since there were many changes from one generation to the next. I think I would have found this very interesting when I was sixteen, which was when I read The Gate to Women's Country by Sheri Tepper and first started really thinking about power and politics and how to create the sort of society you want to live in. Freedom in the Family is very readable. I haven't finished it yet, but so far it's also much more encouraging about individual and group empowerment than another book I read recently, The Warmth of Other Suns, by Isabel Wilkerson, which is a huge historical narrative about the migration North and West from 1910-1960, and has a rather bittersweet and sad end though it's also very well written.

Tananarive is mostly known as a horror author, but through this book I found out she also wrote a YA novel of historical fiction called The Black Rose: The Dramatic Story of Madam C.J. Walker, America's First Black Female Millionaire, which was heavily researched by both her and Alex Haley, who started the project before he died. I'm planning to check that out too.

[D. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tananarive Due and her mother, Patricia Stephens Due, juxtapose their experiences inside and outside of the civil rights movement in this uniquely constructed memoir. More than anything, this is a celebration of the common person who stood up to the injustices of a racist society at great personal cost.

It's a compelling book, filled with memorable stories, featuring a litany of well-known civil rights personalities. But, for me, the stories of the uncelebrated, behind-the-scenes workers were even more compelling. It's not an "easy" read by any means, and the authors do not shy away from the violence and terror they experience, or the frustrations they faced.

The format, which alternates chapters between mother and daughter, is intriguing, and it is interesting to see the narratives connect as they move forward. Unfortunately, this leads to a bit of redundancy in the narrative towards the end of the book, and there were a few times I found myself struggling to connect the timelines and names.

There are many stories here that deserve to be heard and remembered, and there was clearly an enormous amount of research and interviews that went into it. Ultimately, this is a realistic but hopeful look at the struggles and successes of the civil rights movement, and it functions not just as an important record of those who worked hard for change, but also as a reminder of how far we still have to go.

[Martha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most people are familiar with the events that happened during the civil rights struggle in Alabama and Mississippi in the 1960s, but might not know about actions that were going on elsewhere in the country. This book details civil rights demonstrations going on in Florida and also give the perspective of a black woman coming of age in the next generation; chapters on the 1960s -- first-person accounts from a leader in the Florida civil rights struggle -- are alternated with chapters written by her daughter, a novelist and former Miami Herald reporter. She tells what it was like coming of age in the 1980s, and she reflects on how her parents' activism affected her. The mother, Patrica Stephens Due, very candidly discusses the personal toll the civil rights protests of the '60s took on the activists, even though they kept on in spite of it. She writes about difficult events in the same calm, measured way that must have helped her to actually live through them. Both mother and daughter are excellent narrators. Having read this book made me want to read some of Tananarive Due's novels.

[10thumbs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeously written back-and-forth memoir of a mother's (Patricia Stephens Due) work leading the Civil Rights Movement in Tallahassee and her daughter's reflections on that work and her own place in the struggle and family.

I was honored to have met Patricia Stephens Due and her husband John Due on a couple occasions. Sadly she passed away about a month after we moved to Tallahassee — and about 18 months before the city formally memorialized her work and the work of the other 'foot soldiers' of the Civil Rights Movement here.

It meant a lot to read this book as Mrs. Stephens Due's work led (in a winding, decades-long way through Judith Brown to the Gainesville movement she was a part of) to my own activism and political education. Fitting considering this from the book's final page:

"Yes, the fight will go on. To me, that's what history is all about. Once you know what others have done, it helps you understand what you can do."

[Victoria Law · Rating 4 out of 5]

For me, the most interesting parts were to see how people in the Civil Rights movement valued Patricia Stephens Due's involvement, so much so that after she became a mother, people helped her with her children so that she could participate. for instance, when she was organizing the garbage workers' strike, movement people volunteered to babysit and every morning, at 4 am, would show up at her hotel room ready to do childcare so that Due could organize. Similarly, her account of people helping carry her two young daughters during a march--and then her youngest daughter taking her first steps at that freedom march--was powerful. And a good example of concrete ways that people today can support the continued participation of parents & caregivers in their movements.

[Lillian · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book chronicles the history and struggles of the civil rights movement in Florida as told by the the strong, powerful and admirable leader, Patricia Due. It tells, as well, Patrica Due's own life story. Her daughter Tannarive, reflections on her parents activism, their story and how it affected her and her sisters and her experiences being the daughter of two powerful and committed people are both touching insightful and informative. Patricia Due's words," Remembering is the only thing that makes history stand still." is a powerful message to those interested in the civil rights movement in Florida and the Nation.

[Heidi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed the book and the history, but I think they made a mistake trying to recognize so many participants by name in the book. It became difficult to follow and a little tedious.

[Lauri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent read by a civil rights activist and her daughter. I thought I knew a lot about the civil rights movement in the South but learned a great deal more.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Should be required reading for all history and social studies teachers in Florida! There is so much they don't know! Thank you!

[Athena Beanbowl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Tananarive Due. She has been an instant favorite author, so I had to pick up her and her mother's memoir.

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting book about the Civil Rights Movement.

[Mills College Library]

323.1196 D852 2003