Summer Reading Book Response

Sources of Light by Margaret Mcmullan

Towards the end of the summer vacation,I chose this quick read called Sources of Light. This book is set in the early 1960's in Jackson, Mississippi where there isn't many rights for African Americans. It is told from the point of view of Sam, who lives with her mother. Her mother becomes involved with a man named Perry and together they fought for equal rights. Sam is caught in the middle when she starts dating the head of the strictly white church member's son. But when Perry teaches her how to use a camera, something just clicks. Her eyes are opened. Behind her lens she is able to capture moments of injustice and analyze them, and expose those who are unaware of what really is going on. Her life in Mississippi becomes dangerous with the church on their tail, but she keeps taking pictures because she knows she has to. Her bravery really opened my own eyes, and made me think about how I would act if I were in her shoes.

Sam and her whole family were putting their lives in danger for standing up for what they believed in. For Sam it was as little as taking pictures when something occurred. Her mother and Perry made their decision to speak about African American rights, and they didn't pressure her to become involved. She made a choice to get herself into the movement. She risked her status in school, in the church, her relationship, and her safety. I believe that it could have been possible that there were others who had the same beliefs as Sam, but chose to keep to themselves. Being of a darker skin tone myself, I'd like to say that if I had pale skin living in Mississippi that I would've been open about my feelings about equality. But when I think deeply into it, I don't think that I would've. With so many dangers and so much violence, I probably would've played it safe and wouldn't have taken the risk.

I won't give away the ending of the book, but back then there were consequences for those who thought differently than the people who surrounded them. And the reality of that time period hit Sam and her family hard. They may have struggled through it, but yet it didn't stop them. I enjoyed this book because it made me realize things about myself and made me look deeper into situations I've never thought much of before. Like a different perspective. I admit that Sam was braver, and stronger than I am, and so I admire her. Her actions were selfless, even though it took her a while to get there. This really was a great and inspiring story.