Reviewed by Leonard Smuts for Readers' Favorite

The 1960s saw profound social and political change, particularly in the United States of America. It was in this world that Helen Miller spent her formative years as a young black woman at a time when the civil rights movement and black consciousness were making strident calls for change. Helen was born in Newark, New Jersey, in 1945, becoming increasingly aware of discrimination and injustice as she grew older. She graduated from college, and, as her political awareness grew, she was drawn to study black history, noting that black Americans were confined to lower-paying jobs with little opportunity for advancement. It was a decade characterized by the Vietnam War, race riots, and the assassination of key figures such as John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr. She met her husband Edward and married in 1966. She later qualified as a lawyer and chose a path in politics, being elected to the Iowa House of Representatives in 2002 and serving for 16 years before retiring. Police brutality and the Black Lives Matter movement were key influences. She has recorded her journey in I Don’t Swim, which features her struggle as a minority voice, at times facing animosity, but her strength of personality and bonds with the church and family shone through.

This memoir is not only about race and politics. It is a highly personal account of the civil rights movement and the struggle of black Americans for dignity and equality, written from the inside looking out. That era saw history in the making, with slow but steady progress. The inauguration of Barack Obama as president in 2009 was a high point for Helen Miller, who was already well set on her stellar political career. I Don’t Swim is an engaging memoir set against civil strife and a quest for recognition. The writing flows freely, with depth and sincerity that will provide an example for others. It chronicles an important part of American history in a highly relatable manner. The author poses the question as to whether the nation has achieved all that it could have in terms of accepting collective responsibility for the past and achieving reconciliation. She reflects on the pendulum of current public opinion that is swinging toward the conservative side of politics and creating division. The outcome of present-day events is still to be determined, but those like Helen Miller have provided hope for the future and an inspiration to all. This is an exceptional work and is highly recommended.