When Race Becomes Real: Black and White Writers Confront Their Personal Histories

by Bernestine Singley (Epilogue), Bernestine Singley (Editor)

In this deeply moving book, 30 of America's best-known writers on race step from behind the curtain of objectivity to turn the spotlight on themselves and bear witness to the racial divide. In this riveting collection of personal stories such luminaries as Robert Coles, Beverly Daniel Tatum, Natalie Angier, Patricia J Williams, David Bradley, Lisa Dodson, Leonard Pitts Jr, Jim Schutze, and Julianne Malveaux reveal the racial hopes, fears, fury, and triumphs of black and white writers of all stripes. These are writers who refuse to tip-toe around the issue, who don't wax nostalgic, preach sermons, or act as expert witnesses; in this book they are willing to bare their souls and tell the truth. Alternately invigorating, shocking, and inspiring, this book reveals what it really means to be black -- and to be white -- in the 21st century.

Genres: Nonfiction, Race, Social Justice, Writing, Anti Racist

338 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

Reviews

[Sally · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm currently making my way through these often heart-wrenching memoirs about early racial experiences/memories. There's something rather cathartic about THE TRUTH! It occurred to me that we should each of us write our earliest memories about race awareness. This book would be an excellent primer for such an activity.

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fascinating collection of essays on race in the U.S. that was published in 2002. As is often the case, some of the essays are exceptional and others not so much but as a group this presentation of different perspectives is thought provoking and engaging. It is discouraging that many of these authors are saying the same thing as authors who have been recently published and that little has changed in the last twenty years. This is a good place to start if you are just beginning to read about this topic.

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Published in 2002 but it reads like it was written today in 2016.

[Jennie Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting perspectives as it was a series of essays by very different authors.

[Elizabeth Lund]

Pretty good, nothing groundbreaking here if you've already read a fair amount about race.

[Frank · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great collection of essays.