Summary

35: Walking Up to Freedom Land begins on election day. Stella wakes up and asks Mama if Papa is going to vote. Stella expresses concern for whether the Klan might cause trouble. Papa arrives and Mama shares her concerns for his safety. Papa explains that he has a right to vote, and says that unless he stands up to express this right, nothing will ever change. Jojo appears and calls everyone’s attention to a building crowd outside. The crowd is working to escort Papa, Mr. Spencer, and Pastor Patton to vote. Stella, Jojo, and Mama join the crowd as they begin their march into town. The group begins singing a slave spiritual about “marching up to freedom land” (232).

When the group arrives at the sheriff’s office, the sheriff blocks the door, seemingly to prevent...