This thought-provoking book delves into the racial, political, and social turmoil surrounding the Richmond Unified School District (RUSD) during a critical period of attempted school desegregation through busing in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Authoritative and deeply personal, the author combines field observations, interviews, and historical analysis to uncover the dynamics of a community torn apart by the integration of schools. What began as a court-ordered initiative to desegregate elementary schools quickly escalated into a heated battle between pro-busing liberal coalitions and newly galvanized conservative factions. The book examines the underlying racial tensions, class divisions, and ideological conflicts that defined this period, offering a microcosmic view of broader struggles in American society.

In recounting the RUSD's journey from liberal-moderate governance to conservative dominance, the book exposes the intricate dynamics of grassroots mobilization, ideological polarization, and the broader implications of busing policies. Through firsthand narratives from leaders and citizens on both sides, the author paints a vivid picture of the political and emotional stakes, from fiery board meetings to the broader national backlash against forced integration. Both a sociological case study and a narrative of political transformation, Busing and Backlash provides a nuanced exploration of a contentious chapter in the fight for civil rights and public education reform.

This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press’s mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1972.