Review of Martin Deppe's memoir of Operation Breadbasket in Chicago

What is it about?

Deppe was a white minister with a black congregation in Chicago who was a founder member of Operation Breadbasket and he explains its successes and the difficulties it faced including a careful discussion of Jesse Jackson's leadership and the problems of charismatic leaders.

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Why is it important?

Operation Breadbasket was an important part of Martin Luther King's 1966 Chicago campaign. It was arguably the most successful part. It launched Jesse Jackson's career. The study reviewed also shows how internal tensions between black business leaders and rank-and-file followers complicated the program and illustrates how demanding this kind of monitoring of employment discrimination can be.