A Must-Read for Every Southerner

And not just every Southerner, but every person. It's called The Help (by Kathryn Stockett) and it is about Jackson, Miss in the Civil Rights movement and specifically, the African American "help" that was so rampant in white families during that time.

The book is written from the perspectives of 2 african american maids/nannies Aibileen and Minny, and one young college graduate, Ms. Skeeter. The maids are fantastic, and they are very easy to commiserate with. Aibileen lost her son a few years ago, and she devotes all of her time to raising "white babies." She currently works for one family who isn't really rich enough to have help, but the mother really doesn't like children that much, and just feels the need to keep up with the Joneses. Apparently, nearly all white families in Jackson had help to raise their babies and polish their silver. Seriously, what the heck is that all about??!!??!

Minny is a lot like I would imagine I would be if I were in her shoes. She's a bit sassy and sometimes struggles to shut her mouth. In fact, she's been fired from several white families for speaking her mind when she is wronged. (She does something else, too, but I won't spoil it for you.)


Miss Skeeter is a young, somewhat awkward girl who has been home from Ole Miss for a few months after graduation. She is caught between old Jackson and what she is "supposed to be" and the Civil Rights movement, and what she knows is right (and what she WANTS to be.) Skeeter is a bit awkward, very tall, not so cute, but is a brilliant and loving person. She is definitely a character you can relate to.

I highly recommend you read this book. It gives you quite a perspective on how things used to be, how far we've come, and how far we still have to go.