a bit of rough: book two of the burning sands trilogy

Julena finds herself still struggling with the paradoxes of campus life; she is shocked to find that there are separate sororities and fraternities for black and white students. Inter-racial love relationships are strictly forbidden; peer and family pressures conspire to maintain the status quo-don’t date outside your religion or race. These are turbulent and confusing times; the young women see a promise of high-powered careers and futures with more independence than previous generations of women, while also being told that the only way to fulfilment is marriage and motherhood, so wonder if it is possible to have it all.

The anti-war movement is gaining momentum and uniting all age groups, classes and races. There have even been demonstrations by former or serving Veterans, calling for America’s withdrawal from Vietnam; some even throwing their medals away in protest, as more and more people are coming ’round to the idea that the war is misguided, unjust and morally wrong.

Julena becomes friends with two very different black girls, Pam and Jerri Rae, who share her dilemma as to whether to Pledge to a sorority or not, which to her, means complete conformity, as there are rigid rules about black female behaviour. Jerri is ambivalent; she wants to rebel but also wants to be part of that safe sisterhood, while Pam sees this as a means of survival in an alien and often hostile environment.