In 1954, the United States Supreme Court saw that segregated schools were unconstitutional and decided to remove those policies. The actions to join both white and black children into one school left many upset about the ruling. During this troubling time, R.V. Cassil wrote The First Day of School to illustrate the struggles of an African American family joining Joseph P. Gilmore High, a previously all white school. Throughout the story, R.V. Cassill progresses John’s personality, feelings, and actions through his many struggles in attending the new school. The beginning of The First Day of School shows John having the traits of being discouraged and depressed in the early morning. On page 271, John plays around with his cereal, jabbing
