Ghosts in the Schoolyard: Racism and School Closings on Chicago's South Side

In "Ghosts in the Schoolyard: Racism and School Closings on Chicago's South Side," Eve L. Ewing offers a profound narrative that challenges the dismissive ways in which Chicago Public Schools are often portrayed. Through her unique lens as a former student, teacher, and scholar, Ewing delves deep into the 2013 crisis when numerous schools were slated for closure by city officials, sparking widespread community outrage and even hunger strikes. The book, published on October 5, 2018, explores the profound bond between schools and their neighborhoods, particularly in the historic African American community of Bronzeville. Ewing argues that these institutions serve not just as centers of learning but as vital communal spaces that hold collective memories and histories. With a focus on racial justice and education equity, this thoughtful analysis reveals the closures as not only a logistical or financial issue but as a continuation of systemic racism. An essential read for high school students, this book not only educates but also inspires action and self-determination within communities fighting for educational equity.