Beat the Drum for Justice

Description

In Beat the Drum for Justice, Gabriel “Gabe” Adams embarks on an extraordinary journey through one of the most tumultuous eras in American history. From the 1850s to the early 1900s, Gabe witnesses the seismic shifts of a nation grappling with racial injustice, as he interacts with pivotal figures such as Abraham Lincoln, John Brown, Frederick Douglass, and Albion Tourgee.

Against the backdrop of the Underground Railroad, the Civil War, Reconstruction, and the rise of Jim Crow laws, Gabe’s journey is a testament to the fierce struggle for freedom and equality. As he navigates through the violence of slavery, the promise and failures of Reconstruction, and the terror of post-war segregation, the fictional narrative seamlessly intertwines with the real events that shaped the nation’s racial divide.

Christopher C. Cross crafts a historically rich and emotionally resonant story that not only brings to life the past but also offers a sobering reflection on the racial issues that persist into the 21st century. With profound accuracy and storytelling that connects the personal to the political, Beat the Drum for Justice challenges readers to confront the deep-rooted legacy of prejudice and to consider how they might play a role in shaping a more just future.

This powerful novel, suitable for high school AP History and college-level courses, immerses readers in the brutal realities of racism, the devastation of the Civil War, the failures of Reconstruction, and the enduring impact of the courts and politics in maintaining racial inequality. It is a compelling call to remember how we arrived here—and how we can still make change.