The Silence of Our Friends by Mark Long

In 1966, Mark Long's father moved his family to Houston, Texas, where he got a job as a TV reporter.  He met Larry Thomas, a local black activist, when Thomas protected Long from a crowd of angry students.  The two became friends, and even introduced their families to each other, which Long says was an "act of courage" that would affect both their families.

Although fictional, the graphic novel is based on actual events (including an incident where five black college students where charged with shooting a policeman) and on Long's childhood experiences. It paints a vivid picture of the time, and its unflinching look at the ugly racism Long and Thomas's families witnessed makes it powerful.  Definitely worth reading.