A Stronger Kinship: One Town's Extraordinary Story of Hope and Faith

by Anna-Lisa Cox

In the heartland of the United States 150 years ago, where racism and hatred were common, a community decided there could be a different America. Here schools and churches were completely integrated, blacks and whites intermarried, and power and wealth were shared by both races. But for this to happen, the town’s citizens had to keep secrets, break the laws of the world outside, and sweep aside fear and embrace hope. In a historical-detective feat, Anna-Lisa Cox uncovers the heartening story of this community that took the road untaken. Beginning in the 1860s, the people of Covert, Michigan, attempted to do what then seemed impossible: love one’s neighbor—regardless of skin color—as oneself. Drawing on diaries, oral histories, and contemporary records, Cox gives us intimate glimpses of Covert’s people, from William Conner, the Civil War veteran who went on to become Michigan's first black justice of the peace, to Elizabeth Gillard, who, shipwrecked and washed onto Covert's shores, ultimately came to love the unusual community she would call home. In bringing these and other stories of this small town to light, Cox presents a vision of what our nation might have been, and could be.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Race, Book Club, Historical, American History, Biography

296 pages, Paperback

First published February 6, 2006

Reviews

[Lindsay Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating historical account of a racially integrated town post-Civil War era...

I've owned this book for a few years now, but in light of #Ferguson and other recent events it was truly the time to read this. There is so much about race in this era that is sadly, exactly reflective of 2014. By the end, the book highlights the weight of our choices, not so much as to the "why" this town chose to integrate while the rest of the country was drowning in racial turmoil, but the "why not" for the rest of the country not choosing to accept their neighbor. The author also touches on the history of the Midwest during this time & learning this history gives me greater insight as to the current injustices of Missouri, as well as other locations, including my home state of New York.

Although the paragraph / chapter structure was a bit hard to follow, the author did a wonderful job of weaving together stories that have given me substantial food for thought that will provide any reader with curiosities to continue the discussion on race, history, and the future.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

The town of Covert, Michigan was deliberately (and in some cases, illegally) integrated from around the time of its founding in the mid-19th century. This is an enlightening book, and I enjoyed the particular stories of families and individuals, and the comparisons with events in other parts of the midwest and the country. The writing is a little awkward - I felt that the author was trying to write for a general audience but would probably have been more comfortable with a more scholarly approach. I do wish I could have read first-hand accounts from the African-American residents of Covert themselves, or oral histories from their descendants, but given the scope of the research completed by the author, I guess none were available. But overall, this was worth reading.

From the epilogue:

"Our puzzlement over Covert reveals a hidden assumption that racism is the norm, that unfairness and injustice are the natural patterns that the nation falls into if given half a chance. That assumption is not surprising, given the horrific and sorrow-filled history of race relations in this country, but Covert reminds us that that terrible history was a choice. That choice may have been made by millions of whites over many decades, but it was a choice, not a given. If the residents of Covert were able to create a vibrant and normal community while being integrated and equal, why couldn't the rest of the nation? That is the question; that is the sorrow."

[Malobisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! What a coincidence. I read this book during a time when there is so much hate going on around the US. This book details events that happened around the 1800s. With our new administration, I see a lot of resemblance of what it's trying to bring back - blatant racism.
The Covert story shows that good can and will eventually triumph against evil. People of different skin color can live harmoniously side by side. We just need great leadership to steer that ship.
Just FYI! If you take a certain group of people and deny them all the freedom, resources and education, obviously they will fall behind. I grew up at a time when education was available to all albeit schools were still partitioned: there were group A schools where the elite (upper echelon) attended. Group B schools were for the rest of us but believe you me; we worked hard and achieved a lot, more than those kids in the Group A schools. When it came to work we performed better than them.
My point is that we all have capacity to excel if the playing field is leveled, black, white, Mexican etc. There is no race that's 'fundamentally flawed'.

[IzzyISH · Rating 4 out of 5]

My book club chose this as our February selection, and what an interesting read it was. Ms. Cox was able to share what was going on before, during and after the Civil War via personal accounts - diaries, oral histories and records. Covert is a little town in Michigan that was able to put all prejudice aside and fully integrate their town: students sat side-by-side in the classroom, neighbors helped neighbors, and even blacks were elected into high office during that time period. While abolitionists wanted to end slavery, they weren't always happy to have a black person living next door to them. The citizens of Covert not only "talked the talk", but they "walked the walk" too.

It does beg the question of how blacks and whites were able to come together at a time that was still reeling from the Civil War and everything that it entailed, to live together and care for one another while we cannot do it in this day and age. I would love to know if Covert is still as integrated as it was then.

I did enjoy reading this even though at times it felt like I was reading a text book. At the beginning, I felt like there were so many names presented that I wouldn't be able to keep them straight. This is a book that I would pick up and read again at some point in my life.

[Mary Lou · Rating 3 out of 5]

The writing of this book is unspectacular, but the actual story deserves to be known better. It's the history of Covert, MI, a small town in western Michigan that was entirely racially integrated starting in about 1866, with black and white children attending school together, black men holding public office before it was even legal for them to vote, and interracial marriages taking place and being socially accepted long before that was the case outside the town. Many of the white citizens of Covert came from abolitionist backgrounds, but the town wasn't a utopian commune--just a town where people made an effort to live peacefully with all their neighbors, regardless of the racism all around them at the time. It's an amazing look at what exceptions can exist to what we think of as the universal attitudes of a historical period and place.

[Treavor Wagoner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall, it was an informative read. I got what I asked for towards the end with the case between Sheridan and John—something personal and focused. Granted, the book is not about a graduating lawsuit but stories like those that are focused would've helped me sink my teeth in better.

When I started the book, I was enlightened but in the portion of the book where African-Americans migrated to Covert, I got a little lost because of the many families and individuals being mentioned without too much concentration on who they were. But I give Cox some slack since I can imagine it was very hard to track down specific slaves life stories.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Astounding. The author writes a very readable book on the history of a small town in Michigan that fully integrated themselves (illegally) in the late 1800s, after the Civil War. And they never left this course. If you've ever wondered what life would have been like without Jim Crow laws and the Ku Klux Klan, this is one hopeful history that really happened!

A Stronger Kinship

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had never heard of this small farming town named Covert Michigan. It was unique in that it that embraced racial integration after the Civil War. The town settlers included many African Americans Civil War veterans who prospered along with their white neighbors. Churches and schools were integrated, and African Americans were elected into key positions. Its a great little known history in my home state, and I highly recommend htis.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is amazing to me to think how different our society would be today if the openness and friendship that was fostered in this one small town had been the norm throughout the wider US society in the period after the Civil War. This book should be required reading in US History classes in our K-12 education system.

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an unusual piece of history! This is a straight forward academic history of a little town in Michigan named Covert where free blacks and whites lived side by side. Why did such an integrated town survive and thrive in the time right after the Civil War? I think it's because a certain number of people there, black and white, had the integrity, skill, and character to make it so.

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although parts of the book were a bit confusing and hard to follow, I'm so glad I read it. This book opened my eyes to racism and integration in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries in a world so different than the one in which I live.

[Nedra Bennett · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had no idea such a totally integrated community existed and I mirror the author's closing question - If such a community could exist in the 1800's, why not today.

[Daniel Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author tells the fascinating history o Covert, a small Michigan town that became an oasis of racial equality in the years leading up to the Civil War and remained so well into the twentieth century while the rest of the nation backslid on the issue of racial justice. African Americans never comprised more than ten percent of the population, yet they participated fully in the life of the community--owning property, winning elections for local offices, attending mixed race schools, and worshipping in mixed race churches. How the community developed such a racially enlightened atmosphere is never fully explained--perhaps it never can be. But the author suggests it had something to do with shared memories of the Civil War since white and black veterans played prominent roles in the community and appeared to respect each other as comrades. A list of prominent characters and families at the beginning of the book would have helped me follow the narrative more easily. And the topic of interracial couples and families was left to the Epilogue which I found surprising given how sensitive the issue was in the rest of the country at that time. The book is well documented with endnotes, a bibliography, and tables of information about the size and racial make up of the community, the schools, office holding, and property ownership. A list of prominent individuals and families with brief descriptions would have made it easier to follow the narrative. That said, this book well worth reading and pondering. What would our nation look like today if most Americans had acted as the residents of Covert acted? Perhaps what really needs to be explained is, why didn't we?

[Terri Enghofer · Rating 4 out of 5]

The inspiring true story of an extraordinary nineteenth-century town where blacks and whites lived as equals.

Covert, Michigan. A safe haven, primarily built on a structure of small decisions made by its residents, on a daily basis: a white European immigrant’s decision to dig ditches in a district lead by an African American man … an African American family’s decision to send their children off to a local school attended only by whites, a white teenage girl to ask her African American friend to sign her autograph book … a black farmer’s decision to help his European neighbor build his barn.

Covert may have “happened” because it was founded by a group of people who had good intentions and acted on them. Covert offered a kinship stronger than laws, stronger than blood, stronger than color. The story of Covert is about hope that its residents could create and thrive in an integrated community of equality. If they were able to succeed, maybe we can believe that hope can reside in our present, and in our future.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Stars

[Andy Oram · Rating 5 out of 5]

Both inspirational and sad, this book documents an important lesson from U.S. history in a very readable form. Cox is willing to speculate a bit and draw conclusions that weren't explicitly stated by those who lived the events in the book, but she's careful to work with original source material. This source material from the 19th and early 20th centuries, she reveals at the end, was nearly lost but was gathered and stored by one person. We are so lucky she did, and that Cox immersed herself in the material. We learn about the richness of the black middle-class experience: speakers, books, newspapers, benevolent associations, and other civic life. We learn about supportive whites and undaunted African-Americans, about the intersection of economic downturn and racial violence (for which decades of racial rhetoric and behavior prepared), and the harshness of early life in frontier communities for all residents.

[Renata · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book took me awhile to get through. As readers have said Covert, MI was an integrated town beginning in 1860’s with 8.4% of the population being black. I gleaned a lot of info from this book which read like a textbook. For instance I was ignorant in thinking it was easier for the African American once they found their way north. Here is an editorial quote from the Illinois State Journal (a State that had the heaviest fines for blacks who traveled through or settled in their state.) “The truth is he is an unpopular institution in the free states. Even those who are unwilling to rob them of all the rights of humanity, and are willing to let them have a spot on earth on which to live and to labor and to enjoy the fruits of their toil, do not care to be brought into close contact with them.” But the little town of Covert found blacks and whites living, working, marrying and holding town offices side by side. Informational book.

[Thom DeLair]

A lot of history, especially African American history is about horror and hardship. Cox's parochial account of Covert was a refreshing outlier and serves as an example that we should perhaps look back to and try to emulate. This little town, which I actually happened to stop by when I was in the area, has a history of integrated institutions (likes schools and churches), interracial marriage, very pronounced celebrations for 'emancipation day', black elected leaders and fair court rulings that don't discount someone due to their race. All of this between 1866 and 1900. The book also does a good job contrasting the racial violence and segregation in the Midwest at the same time to show how Covert was exceptional. The community was never majority black, so it does say something about the conscious effort of the white citizens as well. The book could have used some more visuals or other methods of helping to keep the different members of the community straight.

[Anne Vandenbrink · Rating 5 out of 5]

During the 1800s, schools and churches in Covert Michigan were completely integrated, blacks and whites intermarried, and power and wealth were shared by both races. But the town’s citizens had to keep secrets, and break the laws. The school district counted all children omitting their race.
Elections were held in a barn with a show of hands. The post of Justice of the Peace, the Highway overseer and others were won by blacks. They did business together, shared meals and slept in each others home. Nobody was turned away because of their skin color. This was a great book, full of history and an inspirational story.

[Paul Brandel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I learned so much from reading A Stronger Kinship; for example the Black Codes and Jim Crow started in the Midwest, not the south. I knew about southern towns that forbade blacks living in their towns, but it was going on in the north and Midwest also. The book is at times hard to read because of the horrific treatment of black-Americans.
Her writing gets a B grade from me; it was clear and pithy, and no it wasn't loving or splendid
writing. Others on GR gave the book lower scores because the writing wasn't majestic, oh no, heavens to murgatory! :)

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

The small rural town of Covert, Michigan in Mid-West America before, during and after the civil war 1860-1896, where Blacks and Whites worked, lived, loved, died, and raised families side by side while the rest of the union and southern states went about its ugly business of racism, jim crow segregation laws, and ignorance and hate. This hidden gem of American history tells the story of a kinship stronger than laws, stronger than blood, stronger than color. It tells the story of hope, and a community of equality in the true pioneer spirit.

[Catherine Lowe · Rating 4 out of 5]

My father-in-law grew up in Covert, MI, so this wonderful story of an entire community being radically committed to doing what is right no matter what the surrounding culture rewards was interesting and encouraging, especially in our current divisive environment. The writing is not as good as the story, but does not take away from its impact. Highly recommend.

[Carolyn]

Heard it's a good story. Want to read it.

[Jenifer Lockwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

This should be required reading in all schools

[Kiki · Rating 4 out of 5]

An amazing little bit of history. It’s always important to ask the questions: How did the outliers who did good in a time evil, manage to do it? And why did they do it?

[Lillian VanBennekom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating! Thoroughly enjoyed the organization, information and stories

[Shay Briggs-sternaman · Rating 3 out of 5]

While Cox does a great job of interpreting court documents and old photos, a lot of what she does is make assumptions about the past, which I suppose, is really what all historians do. She uses a lot of "this must have" statements which leads me to think that a lot of what she reports is speculation. Being a resident of the area, I appreciate the attempt at adding to our cultural history, but I feel as if the text leaves a lot to be desired. I wish she would have included some of the many photos she describes in the text. It's a great local history read, I just found many of the assumptions presumptuous.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

It would be wonderful if our entire country could get along like the people in this book. You have to have people who believe that all men are really created equal. This community was not far from our home and it is non-fiction. It is too bad that even after the Civil War when African Americans fought on the side of the North, they were still lynched and discriminated against in the North as well as the South. The book was interesting but I had a little trouble keeping everyone straight. It seemed to jump around quite a bit. Perhaps the author could have stayed with one family before going on to another.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

A remarkable book about an even more remarkable community in Michigan. This is the story of the town of Covert, Michigan, where black and white lived in harmony, before and during the Civil War Years. I had the pleasure of meeting the author of this book, when she came to our library on a tour of Michigan's Notable books. Her book evolved from her graduate work, and she was passionate about the story of this unusual town.

[Mary Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I probably should have only given it a three because I would not re read it or anything but I wouldn't want someone to not read it for the rating reason. It is more the subject matter that might not appeal to someone as it deals with the history of blacks in America from the Civil war forward. I found it very interesting and eyeopening on a number of fronts.

[Kent District Library]

Join us for a friendly, informal discussion and good company. This month's selection is A Stronger Kinship: One Town’s Extraordinary Story of Hope and Faith by Anna-Lisa Cox. For adults. Book discussion will take place at Kent District Library's Alpine Branch on May 10, 2017 from 6:30-7:30 pm.