The overarching theme of racism in American life is shown most prominently through the careers of the protagonists, but the events of the time are never far behind. Shetterly provides background on how racism played out in education, politics, and society at large, as well as how the growing civil rights movement fought to counter it.

Each of the main characters has to work to overcome the barriers in front of her because of race. We see this from the start in terms of family life and education. Some had no access to public secondary schools—not even segregated ones—because their towns did not provide it. For instance, Mary attended Phenix High School, affiliated with Hampton Institute, because the city of Hampton only gave African Americans schooling through primary school. Likewise, Katherine’s family separated so she and her siblings could attend high school. While her father stayed behind in White Sulphur Springs for work, the four children and their mother moved more than 100 miles away for the children’s secondary education because their hometown did not provide it for African Americans.

One of the ways Shetterly illustrates this theme is by comparing Langley, a federal institution, with the state in which it is located.