pFaye Whatley Thompson was born and raised in the Deep South during a time that racial integration and segregation issues were beginning to explode into more serious problems. The year that she graduated in 1954, the law had changed that gave black people the right to go to a school of their choice. Her family had hired colored maids since she was a small child so her parents could work outside the home. She and many others saw how the local colored people were put to the test, which caused them hardships and even jobs if they did not cooperate with their leaders. As time passed and after many difficult situations, integration was accepted as a way of life, which offered many of the black people the opportunity to go to universities and be hired for jobs that once were only offered to the people of the white race. Her story in the book shares some of the awkward and trying situations that both races endured during this era or period of history.ppFaye's brother Andrew Andy Whatley was k