Why Stand Up? describes the ordeal of a community leader, pastor, teacher, Frank Smith, for his activities during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s. Frank Smith was threatened with death, and the bombing of his home as well as the church he pastored. He was fired from his teaching position and the family's residential mailbox was shot. After fifteen years of persistence and acts of courage, he was reinstated to his teaching position with back pay. He noted that his grandfather and great grandfather were faced with dilemmas of their day. They had to decide weather to stand. Their decision was a legacy left for guidance and inspiration.