One of the central questions of this story is what is the best and most effective way to combat racism? The author uses the historical context of the book’s setting—1957 Little Rock, Arkansas—to illuminate the many perspectives within the Black community in particular. Through the characters, Draper explores the roles of religion, education, legislation, community organization, individual actions, and ally behaviors in combatting racism. Though no one way is singled out as the best way to fight racism, the author makes it clear that every member of the Black community was engaged in the fight on a daily basis.

It took the efforts of an entire community, together with some white allies and the National Guard, to finally integrate a high school in Little Rock. The elder Pattersons represent the older generation, who focused their efforts on the church and their own segregated community. They relied on their faith to see them through, and they fought racism by leading morally upstanding lives in the face of hatred and discrimination. Aunt Bessie represents the economic challenges faced by domestic workers who relied on jobs within the white community for their livelihood. They sometimes had to tolerate racist treatment to earn even a meager amount of money.