In researching this book, I have relied upon the help of several writers and attorneys who have had a long involvement with school equity litigation. Most helpful have been Marilyn Morheuser, Albert Kauffman, Stephen Spitz, Roderick Boggs and Arthur Wise.
I am also indebted to Bonita Brodt and Karen Thomas of the Chicago Tribune, Safir Ahmed and Patrick Gauen of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Sara Rimer of the New York Times, and Cassandra Spratling of the Detroit Free Press. In Illinois I was given help by Don Moore, John McDermott, Jack and Maria Wuest, Quinn Brisben, Robin Cohen, William Ayers and Larry Frank, and especially by Alfred Hess and George Alan Hickrod, who also read this book in progress and was generous with his time. In Washington I was helped by Delabian Rice-Thurston and Ella McCall. In Camden Reverend Michael Doyle was of great assistance, and Bob Moore made possible my interviews in Cincinnati. In Texas I relied upon the help of O. Z. White.
Among those who read and criticized early versions of this book are Harold Howe II, Mary Frances Berry, Jonathan Wilson, Meyer Weinberg, Benjamin DeMott, Charles Schultz, Alvin Poussaint, Carol Chomsky, Peter Edelman and Colin Greer. I am, as always, indebted to Tisha Graham, who has advised me on everything that I have written for ten years. Special thanks are also due to James Wade and Bruce Harris. The book was typed in many successive versions by Marilyn Weller, who also offered good advice throughout and has my gratitude for her amazing patience.
My deepest debt is to Cassie Schwerner, who began this book with me in 1988, did all of the research, served as my initial editor, provided constant criticism and encouragement, and helped to push the equity and segregation issues to a more complete and open exposition than I had originally intended. She has been the best friend and the wisest counselor a writer could have hoped for.