In 1936, the eighth grader MacNolia Cox became the first Black student to win the Akron, Ohio, citywide spelling bee. Spelling bees fit neatly into the idea of American meritocracy and are, increasingly, a vehicle for immigrant industry. Weatherford’s depiction of Cox’s journey pairs facts gleaned from newspaper accounts with directive questions: “Can you spell discrimination?”It is not subtle. But at a time when many Americans will offer any explanation for racism but racism, there is value in being on-the-nose. Even in seemingly straightforward games of achievement like spelling bees, the best and the brightest don’t always secure the victory, and racism can curdle the whole affair.

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Persons: MacNolia Cox, Cox, —, smarts, Spelling, Carole Boston Weatherford Organizations: Akron, Washington , D.C Locations: Akron , Ohio, Washington ,