Faye 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.\
Faye's brother Andrew "Andy" Whatley was killed during a racial demonstration in Americus, Georgia, in July 1965. Faye believes that Andy's death was not in vain. Over the years, some of the major integration problems have been resolved, but we still see signs that show us discrimination may never go away. God's word says that all people were created as equals and precious in His sight. Faye believes that the sooner our world learns this altruism, the better it will be.