The Real Trailblazers: Feminism in “That Boy from Georgia” Anonymous 12th Grade

Ravaged by devastating effects of the Civil War, America sought to reconstruct its nation on the basis of racial equality. However, even though the war ended, racial discrimination still continued, eventually leading to the push for legislative reforms during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s. However, while prominent male figures such as Martin Luther King Jr. became famous for their rousing speeches and constant cries for reform, the impact that women had on affecting the reform movement often went unnoticed. Thus, authors and poets employed their literary skills to persuade their contemporaries of the crucial role of women in the drive for racial equality. Consequently, in “That Boy from Georgia,” Jaki Green suggests that Martin must acknowledge the important role that women played in facilitating the African-American civil rights movement. Green illustrates this through the imagery of food that the women set up for Martin, the sacrifices that the women made during times of war, and the support that grandmothers gave throughout the political movement.

The lavish cuisine cooked specifically for Martin represents the vital role of women of nourishing the soldiers during the Civil War, which Green suggests must be greater...