In l954, the U.S. Supreme Court ordered states to eliminate racial segregation in public schools with "all deliberate speed." Nonetheless, many all-white school boards in "progressive" North Carolina delayed "de jure" segregation for decades and condoned elements of "de facto" segregation that persist today. This intimate study exposes the turmoil that the Court's decision unleashed in the quiet rural community of Camden County. Here brave students, parents, teachers, and principals all tell their fascinating stories, filled with pride, disappointment, humor, and terror. It uncovers a striking gap between black and white memories and raises questions about how we can progress toward an integrated society today.