Take My Hand

The trial begins in October and is taking place in a courthouse where many historic civil rights cases were decided. Lou is confident before the court, but Civil is bothered by his portrayal of the Williams as “simple country people whose priority was day-to-day survival” (262).

Civil is the only Black person in the gallery, and she attends every day, sitting in the same spot. As he presents the case, Lou is discouraged because his evidence on the hundreds of Black women in North Carolina who were sterilized will be excluded. When Civil suggests he ask for an exception, he does not think the judge will grant one.

While presenting the case, Lou notes that Devo-Provera was not approved for use on humans, and Civil blames herself for not dispensing the drug. She realizes Lou intends to prove an entire system of abuse while the defense will say that the government treats all people the same.

Civil acknowledges that there are different versions of Montgomery depending upon whether you were Black or white, rich or poor, educated or illiterate. As she moves through her daily activities, she thinks often about the Williamses. She watches Lou work hard on the case, and she teaches Mace to read on Sundays after church.