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It's Not All Black and White: Multiracial Youth Speak Out
"Black, white, and everything in between . . ."
Through poems, interviews, and short essays, a group of young people describe being biracial, multiracial, or of mixed race. These poignant firsthand accounts reflect the unique and varied voices of the writers, whose backgrounds range from Caribbean, Vietnamese, and Latin American to Native American, Spanish, and Irish, among others.
With devastating honesty, these youth tell what it's been like to make their way in the world with their roots in many places and in many cultures. Themes include navigating mixed-race relationships, dealing with prejudice and the assumptions people make based on appearances, and working through identity confusion to arrive at a strong and positive sense of self. This resource will be of special value to youth who live in less diverse communities, where they have few or no mixed-race peers to share their experiences with.
Includes a section with suggestions for parents and caregivers who are raising children of mixed race.
Readers who share these experiences will find support, inspiration, and validation. Those less familiar with the issues will gain important insight and understanding.
Through poems, interviews, and short essays, a group of young people describe being biracial, multiracial, or of mixed race. These poignant firsthand accounts reflect the unique and varied voices of the writers, whose backgrounds range from Caribbean, Vietnamese, and Latin American to Native American, Spanish, and Irish, among others.
With devastating honesty, these youth tell what it's been like to make their way in the world with their roots in many places and in many cultures. Themes include navigating mixed-race relationships, dealing with prejudice and the assumptions people make based on appearances, and working through identity confusion to arrive at a strong and positive sense of self. This resource will be of special value to youth who live in less diverse communities, where they have few or no mixed-race peers to share their experiences with.
Includes a section with suggestions for parents and caregivers who are raising children of mixed race.
Readers who share these experiences will find support, inspiration, and validation. Those less familiar with the issues will gain important insight and understanding.
- GenresNonfictionPoetry
120 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2012
2 people are currently reading
128 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
June 21, 2012
“With your look, exotic, you must come from afar.”
From lands that serve the white man’s desires, that cater to your every need.
I wish I'd had this book way back when I started adolescence.
As the description says, this book includes interviews, poems and short essays.
The interviews were my favourite part of the book because a few of them were done with older generations (my parents' generation and older) and it was just fascinating to have first-hand accounts on how it all was.
The poems and essays, those hit closer to home. They were all about things I have experienced and things I deal with every day as a mixed race person. They were poignant and they raised important issues. All parents of mixed race children should read Mia-Skye Sagara's essay "My Advice To Parents" and Karen Arthurton "Advice for Parents and Caregivers" on the importance of an open dialogue about race with your children. I wish mine had read it.
Constantly thinking about your racial identity is something only the privileged can afford not to do. Racism is a ubiquitous topic (as it should be), but biracial and multiracial voices are not commonly heard. There are defining issues, like being forced to choose, to define yourself a certain way, and deny the rest, when that definition is just a small part of the whole person you are. There are particular struggles that only mixed race people face and should be known to everyone.
I recommend this book to anyone with an interest in racism, race relations and multiculturalism, but I especially recommend it to all the young biracial and mixed race people, so they may know they are not alone.
From lands that serve the white man’s desires, that cater to your every need.
I wish I'd had this book way back when I started adolescence.
As the description says, this book includes interviews, poems and short essays.
The interviews were my favourite part of the book because a few of them were done with older generations (my parents' generation and older) and it was just fascinating to have first-hand accounts on how it all was.
The poems and essays, those hit closer to home. They were all about things I have experienced and things I deal with every day as a mixed race person. They were poignant and they raised important issues. All parents of mixed race children should read Mia-Skye Sagara's essay "My Advice To Parents" and Karen Arthurton "Advice for Parents and Caregivers" on the importance of an open dialogue about race with your children. I wish mine had read it.
Constantly thinking about your racial identity is something only the privileged can afford not to do. Racism is a ubiquitous topic (as it should be), but biracial and multiracial voices are not commonly heard. There are defining issues, like being forced to choose, to define yourself a certain way, and deny the rest, when that definition is just a small part of the whole person you are. There are particular struggles that only mixed race people face and should be known to everyone.
I recommend this book to anyone with an interest in racism, race relations and multiculturalism, but I especially recommend it to all the young biracial and mixed race people, so they may know they are not alone.
February 7, 2015
It's taken me a long minute to finally get this onto the pile, but I am glad that I finally did. Honestly. it's right on time since I've had my first child, who is multiracial. This was a really quick read and it was very informative and very well organized. Through interviews, poetry and other forms of writing, young people get to share their experience and how they felt about being mixed. I believe that this is an important piece of work because it gives a voice to an often overlooked community. Though, I have Cherokee and Italian running through me, I self-identify as being black. So I have no idea what the world looks and feels like through multiracial and biracial glasses. And the average person won't understand that it is experienced differently because of the race one is perceived to be a part of or self-identifies with. This book gives you a lot to think about and to be aware of. It is also a great way to start a dialogue.
March 12, 2018
It's Not All Black and White has a lot of important messages to share, as well as the voices of incredible youth to uplift. There is a mixture of poetry, essays, and interviews that all come together to share the stories of multiracial teens and twenty-somethings in their own words. I didn't exactly fall in love with all of the writing in it, so I found parts of it took me longer to read than they should have. Overall it was a decent read, and a lot of important points were made. This book allows youth to be the experts of their own lives, and I love that.
I would definitely recommend this for anyone whose attention is captured by the title or description.
I would definitely recommend this for anyone whose attention is captured by the title or description.
November 21, 2020
This collection of personal stories, vignettes and poems about mixed race.......whether multi or biracial should be a wonderful asset for anyone, how beneficial it would be to belong to more than one ethnic group.......then why do these specific men and women have such hard lives?.......it should be used as an academic requirement to teach tolerance and truly we are all equal, no matter what. Really enlightened me to the struggles our young people go through.....reading this book, I feel, will help many. Thank you.
June 11, 2014
I would have given this three and a half stars, but Goodreads doesn't allow it. I wish that the contributors were a bit younger. For the most part, they seemed to have been in their 20's and I wanted to know how tweens and teens felt on the subject.
It is however insightful, but I felt that the issues that were presented were the same as what non-biracial people go through as well. For example, in an interview with Jacqueline Kalaidjian, mother of a biracial child, she states In regard to raising children, I would encourage you not to let people outside of the family get involved in raising your kids because in my experience they interfere and can easily mess things up. Trust yourself. This is basic knowledge and does not solely adhere to the multiracial community. Even an interview with Veronica Salvatierra is basic knowledge for all parents, especially if mom and dad aren't together. ...keep good communications with both sides of your child's family, and give your child the opportunity to know both cultures. I also recommend that you never say anything negative around your child about their heritage. Give them opportunity to grow with the richness of the cultures they are. (You can substitute heritage for father/mother side of the family)
One of my favorite pieces is Family Picture by Janine Berridge. She talks about racial confusion in her family. How they are multiracial, but the family cherishes their Portuguese side above their Black and Indian side. She talks about how her family tries to act White and anything that deviates from Whiteness causes problems. The ones you are trying to associate with -- because apparently whiteness brings rightness -- see you as just another colored person and will never accept you as their own. I cannot imagine that type of confusion. Because your children are multiracial, yet you hate the races that make them. Therefore, you hate your children and even yourself. A child that has a parent that hates or mistreats them because of the other parents DNA being a part of them(look like your father or act like your mother) would be able to associate with Berridge's story.
I also like Complex Simplicity by Lalo Lorza. A proud mixed race man who acknowledges all that make up his DNA and has learned to use that to become a better man. The perfect balance of intelligence, wisdom, and force/My ancestors survived genocide, the middle passage/and the Irish famine; I'm what happens when three/worlds collide. His piece made him seem so confident. And he seems as if he has a great deal of love for himself.
I would use this in the classroom to discuss differences...and similarities in individuals. The youth tend to think that no one knows what they are going through, but these types of books teach that they are not.
It is however insightful, but I felt that the issues that were presented were the same as what non-biracial people go through as well. For example, in an interview with Jacqueline Kalaidjian, mother of a biracial child, she states In regard to raising children, I would encourage you not to let people outside of the family get involved in raising your kids because in my experience they interfere and can easily mess things up. Trust yourself. This is basic knowledge and does not solely adhere to the multiracial community. Even an interview with Veronica Salvatierra is basic knowledge for all parents, especially if mom and dad aren't together. ...keep good communications with both sides of your child's family, and give your child the opportunity to know both cultures. I also recommend that you never say anything negative around your child about their heritage. Give them opportunity to grow with the richness of the cultures they are. (You can substitute heritage for father/mother side of the family)
One of my favorite pieces is Family Picture by Janine Berridge. She talks about racial confusion in her family. How they are multiracial, but the family cherishes their Portuguese side above their Black and Indian side. She talks about how her family tries to act White and anything that deviates from Whiteness causes problems. The ones you are trying to associate with -- because apparently whiteness brings rightness -- see you as just another colored person and will never accept you as their own. I cannot imagine that type of confusion. Because your children are multiracial, yet you hate the races that make them. Therefore, you hate your children and even yourself. A child that has a parent that hates or mistreats them because of the other parents DNA being a part of them(look like your father or act like your mother) would be able to associate with Berridge's story.
I also like Complex Simplicity by Lalo Lorza. A proud mixed race man who acknowledges all that make up his DNA and has learned to use that to become a better man. The perfect balance of intelligence, wisdom, and force/My ancestors survived genocide, the middle passage/and the Irish famine; I'm what happens when three/worlds collide. His piece made him seem so confident. And he seems as if he has a great deal of love for himself.
I would use this in the classroom to discuss differences...and similarities in individuals. The youth tend to think that no one knows what they are going through, but these types of books teach that they are not.
August 21, 2012
This was a very entertaining and thought provoking anthology of stories, poems, interviews and explanations. It felt very authentic and true.
The stories were about a variety of things: confusion, intolerance, ignorance, anger and empowerment. None of them were very long but all of them told a different and unique story. I like how the teenage writers cared more about putting their voice out there instead of making their prose as poetic and literary as possible. It felt very real, conversational so that the reader could put themselves in their place and understand what they were feeling. I am not multi-racial but I could understand the feelings they were trying to express by the way they were written. The extra pictures provided made the whole thing feel more personal. All of the stories were great but the stand-outs for me are "Race is Ubiquitous" by Elizabeth Jennifer Hollo, "What Am I Supposed To Look Like" by Leslie Kachena McCue and "Assimilation, Assimilation" by Karuna Sagara.
I really liked the poems as well. They're not Shakespeare but they get their point across. I like how some of them even have kind of a hip hop/rap sounding beat, showing a variety in poetry which parallels the variety of racial backgrounds that this anthology is about. My favorite poems in this anthology were "Black & White" by Andrew Ernest Brankley, "What Is Your Crazy Fascination" by Janine Berridge, and "Itty Bitty A One-Woman Play" by Natasha Adiyana Morris.
The interviews were also a nice touch. Biracial or multiracial people growing up in a different generation, parents of multracial children, and compilers of anthologies were all interviewed. That way, the reader gets the perspective of people from different age groups and backgrounds in addition to those of the teenagers writing the other content in this anthology.
Overall, this was a strong anthology, very educational. As a racially purebred person, so to speak, it was very refreshing to get a new perspective on the issues that multiracial and biracial have. For example, I learned that they do not like to have their appearance repeatedly emphasized, something I am guilty of doing. The only quip I have with this publication is that it could have been a little more diverse in its writers. By having teens writing several pieces, it kept some of them sounding repetitive. It would have been better if St. Stephen's Community House had asked for submissions from all teens and then selected from them. That way, there would have been more diversity and more stories told.
The stories were about a variety of things: confusion, intolerance, ignorance, anger and empowerment. None of them were very long but all of them told a different and unique story. I like how the teenage writers cared more about putting their voice out there instead of making their prose as poetic and literary as possible. It felt very real, conversational so that the reader could put themselves in their place and understand what they were feeling. I am not multi-racial but I could understand the feelings they were trying to express by the way they were written. The extra pictures provided made the whole thing feel more personal. All of the stories were great but the stand-outs for me are "Race is Ubiquitous" by Elizabeth Jennifer Hollo, "What Am I Supposed To Look Like" by Leslie Kachena McCue and "Assimilation, Assimilation" by Karuna Sagara.
I really liked the poems as well. They're not Shakespeare but they get their point across. I like how some of them even have kind of a hip hop/rap sounding beat, showing a variety in poetry which parallels the variety of racial backgrounds that this anthology is about. My favorite poems in this anthology were "Black & White" by Andrew Ernest Brankley, "What Is Your Crazy Fascination" by Janine Berridge, and "Itty Bitty A One-Woman Play" by Natasha Adiyana Morris.
The interviews were also a nice touch. Biracial or multiracial people growing up in a different generation, parents of multracial children, and compilers of anthologies were all interviewed. That way, the reader gets the perspective of people from different age groups and backgrounds in addition to those of the teenagers writing the other content in this anthology.
Overall, this was a strong anthology, very educational. As a racially purebred person, so to speak, it was very refreshing to get a new perspective on the issues that multiracial and biracial have. For example, I learned that they do not like to have their appearance repeatedly emphasized, something I am guilty of doing. The only quip I have with this publication is that it could have been a little more diverse in its writers. By having teens writing several pieces, it kept some of them sounding repetitive. It would have been better if St. Stephen's Community House had asked for submissions from all teens and then selected from them. That way, there would have been more diversity and more stories told.
November 5, 2015
Via Black 'n Write Reviews
St. Stephen’s Community House is the one location many people, especially youth, in Kensington Market and the communities surrounding areas of West Downtown Toronto, Ontario. This book was written by a group of young people who partook in an organized function: The Youth Arcade’s Mission.
The Youth Arcade’s Mission is where young people can come and feel accepted and can be themselves without feeling the pressures of society against them, where they can feel unjudged and learn more, and be social.
It’s Not All Black and White is an anthology based on the perspectives, opinions, and emotions of some of the young people and adults that are part of The Youth Arcade’s Mission. Through poetry and short stories these people describe how they feel about being born as a mixed-raced person and how they have developed a habit or found their way, even if they haven’t they are still working on building themselves up.
Although I’m not a visible mixed-race: European, Native, French-Canadian. I have no idea what some of these young people have or are experiencing on a regular basis. I did, however, get a very good idea while reading their stories. It was truly enlightening considering I’m a strong believer in human rights and equal treatment to all people, and the things that I read made me aware that even in a city like Toronto, which is almost considered a national hub for having a very diverse arrangement of ethnic backgrounds that there are people out there who still can’t accept others who contain a variety of bloodlines surging through their bloodstream.
I believe a book like this should almost be considered to be placed in most school libraries, if anything in public libraries as this is a great piece for young adults still trying to figure out where they fit into society. I hope one day this book gets recognized and that not only do the contributors find themselves but also the future readers of this book find themselves at peace for who they are and not for what society expects from them.
St. Stephen’s Community House is the one location many people, especially youth, in Kensington Market and the communities surrounding areas of West Downtown Toronto, Ontario. This book was written by a group of young people who partook in an organized function: The Youth Arcade’s Mission.
The Youth Arcade’s Mission is where young people can come and feel accepted and can be themselves without feeling the pressures of society against them, where they can feel unjudged and learn more, and be social.
It’s Not All Black and White is an anthology based on the perspectives, opinions, and emotions of some of the young people and adults that are part of The Youth Arcade’s Mission. Through poetry and short stories these people describe how they feel about being born as a mixed-raced person and how they have developed a habit or found their way, even if they haven’t they are still working on building themselves up.
Although I’m not a visible mixed-race: European, Native, French-Canadian. I have no idea what some of these young people have or are experiencing on a regular basis. I did, however, get a very good idea while reading their stories. It was truly enlightening considering I’m a strong believer in human rights and equal treatment to all people, and the things that I read made me aware that even in a city like Toronto, which is almost considered a national hub for having a very diverse arrangement of ethnic backgrounds that there are people out there who still can’t accept others who contain a variety of bloodlines surging through their bloodstream.
I believe a book like this should almost be considered to be placed in most school libraries, if anything in public libraries as this is a great piece for young adults still trying to figure out where they fit into society. I hope one day this book gets recognized and that not only do the contributors find themselves but also the future readers of this book find themselves at peace for who they are and not for what society expects from them.
September 10, 2016
(I got this book through NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.)
"It's Not All Black And White" is a collection of interviews, short essays and poems from a number of people of mixed origins, and dealing with their feelings and personal experiences regarding the question of 'race' for them. The book features such texts from youths, but also a few from older people, allowing its readers to get a wider view of what being of such origins is, and used to be a few decades ago. Its layout is very differenciated from one page to the other, which is nice on the eye for starters, yet also goes well with its themes of difference and of not always being accepted for who we are—many different pages, however gathered all in the same book, as if to show that in the end, we can all be together in harmony. (Maybe this is just personal interpretation on my part; still, I think that whether intentional or not, this layout is quite appropriate.)
I wanted to read this collection at first because I thought it would contain interesting material to read with my pupils in class, material that would also concern some of them. I wasn't disappointed. Such a book can definitely be used for educational purposes, and that its contents offer a positive outlook on what being multiracial means, as well as answers or at least reflections for those young people who would be struggling with their identity and where to place themselves. It sends them the message that "you are not alone", and this to me seems to be one of its most important aspects. It is also an eye-opener in many regards, for those of us who are not confronted to such issues, yet would like to understand what they entail. I so agree with some of the participants, that sometimes even well-meaning, innocent-sounding sentences can still be hurtful, in that they contribute to setting people apart.
"It's Not All Black And White" is a collection of interviews, short essays and poems from a number of people of mixed origins, and dealing with their feelings and personal experiences regarding the question of 'race' for them. The book features such texts from youths, but also a few from older people, allowing its readers to get a wider view of what being of such origins is, and used to be a few decades ago. Its layout is very differenciated from one page to the other, which is nice on the eye for starters, yet also goes well with its themes of difference and of not always being accepted for who we are—many different pages, however gathered all in the same book, as if to show that in the end, we can all be together in harmony. (Maybe this is just personal interpretation on my part; still, I think that whether intentional or not, this layout is quite appropriate.)
I wanted to read this collection at first because I thought it would contain interesting material to read with my pupils in class, material that would also concern some of them. I wasn't disappointed. Such a book can definitely be used for educational purposes, and that its contents offer a positive outlook on what being multiracial means, as well as answers or at least reflections for those young people who would be struggling with their identity and where to place themselves. It sends them the message that "you are not alone", and this to me seems to be one of its most important aspects. It is also an eye-opener in many regards, for those of us who are not confronted to such issues, yet would like to understand what they entail. I so agree with some of the participants, that sometimes even well-meaning, innocent-sounding sentences can still be hurtful, in that they contribute to setting people apart.
June 23, 2012
The personal narratives, essays, and poems from twenty mixed-race teens writing together as the Making Sense of One group sponsored by St. Stephen's Community House make this not only a nice genre study but a super non-fiction, diversity touch for the upper secondary classroom.
As a mentor text, I like how the authors explore the definition of race and set some terms right away for the essays and explorations that come after. This not only sets the tone of the book but allows young readers to orient themselves to the way the terms will be used. Definitions and examples of definitions that explore ethnicity and euphemisms are peppered throughout the collection serving as a reminder of the importance of setting these terms and limits.
Embedded vocabulary comes right away in the title of Elizabeth Jennifer Hollo's "Racism is Ubiquitous," an essay that would serve nicely as an example of blending genres to convey a singular thought.
Yvonne Sanchez-Tieu's interview with Carol Camper would work nicely to introduce the interview genre while exploring with a mentor the difficulty of coming to terms with a subject and that subject's definition.
And there are many academic extensions that would make IT'S NOT ALL BLACK AND WHITE a nice Common Core State Standards text, I'd like to focus on the energies and gifts of the contributors of this super exploration of diversity by young writers who live out this reality (and ambiguity) each day.
"Black and Write" a sort of poem/exploration for two voices (though both voices belong to the author, Andrew), would work nicely as an example of a what a piece like this might look like within a multigenre project. And again, the creative exploration of the theme is what those sharing this collection would want to zero in on.
As a mentor text, I like how the authors explore the definition of race and set some terms right away for the essays and explorations that come after. This not only sets the tone of the book but allows young readers to orient themselves to the way the terms will be used. Definitions and examples of definitions that explore ethnicity and euphemisms are peppered throughout the collection serving as a reminder of the importance of setting these terms and limits.
Embedded vocabulary comes right away in the title of Elizabeth Jennifer Hollo's "Racism is Ubiquitous," an essay that would serve nicely as an example of blending genres to convey a singular thought.
Yvonne Sanchez-Tieu's interview with Carol Camper would work nicely to introduce the interview genre while exploring with a mentor the difficulty of coming to terms with a subject and that subject's definition.
And there are many academic extensions that would make IT'S NOT ALL BLACK AND WHITE a nice Common Core State Standards text, I'd like to focus on the energies and gifts of the contributors of this super exploration of diversity by young writers who live out this reality (and ambiguity) each day.
"Black and Write" a sort of poem/exploration for two voices (though both voices belong to the author, Andrew), would work nicely as an example of a what a piece like this might look like within a multigenre project. And again, the creative exploration of the theme is what those sharing this collection would want to zero in on.
Read
July 8, 2012You might have noticed that I didn't rate this book, it's because this book is not actually the kind of books I usually rate. It's a collection of stories, interviews, and poems written by a group of people who are biracial or multiracial, talking about their experiences.
This group of people are all victims of prejudice, bullying, and social differentiations. You get to really sympathise with them, as they describe the challenges they face living in a world that still puts boundaries between people because of skin color, eye color, hair color, etc...
Although I have not been a victim of this kind of social prejudice, I can feel their pain. I had a friend who lived in Sydney, Australia. Last year, she came back to Iraq. She told me how people fired rude comments at her because she was Muslim, or wore a scarf, or had a darker skin color than them.
I don't understand, we have come so far in this world, developed our way of living, invented what we thought was impossible to invent. But we are still stuck at the same place when it comes to not judging people by the way the look, or the way they talk, or the way they dress.
We are different, but we need to understand that we deep inside, we are all human, we are all the same. We come from different races, but together, we are ONE, the human race.
This book is recommended to everyone who has been a victim of social prejudice, or knows someone who has been a victim. Even if you have never been prejudiced or pushed away from the society because of your appearance, you should definitely read this book. It will make you feel what the biracial or multiracial feel, and it will amazingly enlighten your knowledge of the world around you.
This group of people are all victims of prejudice, bullying, and social differentiations. You get to really sympathise with them, as they describe the challenges they face living in a world that still puts boundaries between people because of skin color, eye color, hair color, etc...
Although I have not been a victim of this kind of social prejudice, I can feel their pain. I had a friend who lived in Sydney, Australia. Last year, she came back to Iraq. She told me how people fired rude comments at her because she was Muslim, or wore a scarf, or had a darker skin color than them.
I don't understand, we have come so far in this world, developed our way of living, invented what we thought was impossible to invent. But we are still stuck at the same place when it comes to not judging people by the way the look, or the way they talk, or the way they dress.
We are different, but we need to understand that we deep inside, we are all human, we are all the same. We come from different races, but together, we are ONE, the human race.
This book is recommended to everyone who has been a victim of social prejudice, or knows someone who has been a victim. Even if you have never been prejudiced or pushed away from the society because of your appearance, you should definitely read this book. It will make you feel what the biracial or multiracial feel, and it will amazingly enlighten your knowledge of the world around you.
July 30, 2012
This project of The Making Sense of One group under co-ordinator Karen Arthurton is absolutely brilliant, a must read for mix race children, mix race parents and families, caregivers and teachers. The honest (brutal at times) writing of all the contributors is at times heartbreaking and at times uplifting and hopeful.
As the sister of a mixed race younger brother (Mohawk and Irish) who our family adopted when he was six, and the aunt of several mixed race nieces and nephews (both Filipino/French-Canadian and Mohawk/Irish and Dutch) I have seen how wonderful these relationships and children can be. They are all smart, funny, intelligent and well adjusted.
The contributors of this book have had an great variety of experiences both within their families, at school and out in the world and their thoughts and feelings are worth exploring and listening too.
I as always look forward to a day when no one has to be asked "what are you" and we can take someone at the value of what they are and we can all be colour blind when it comes to what a person's hair, skin and race are.
As the sister of a mixed race younger brother (Mohawk and Irish) who our family adopted when he was six, and the aunt of several mixed race nieces and nephews (both Filipino/French-Canadian and Mohawk/Irish and Dutch) I have seen how wonderful these relationships and children can be. They are all smart, funny, intelligent and well adjusted.
The contributors of this book have had an great variety of experiences both within their families, at school and out in the world and their thoughts and feelings are worth exploring and listening too.
I as always look forward to a day when no one has to be asked "what are you" and we can take someone at the value of what they are and we can all be colour blind when it comes to what a person's hair, skin and race are.
December 22, 2012
This book explains the dynamics of race in many creative ways. This is a good book for kids in elementary or middle schools who are just starting to learn about Race. This book includes stories, interviews and poetry-so it is written in many different styles of expression. All voices are strong and they help the reader identify with them. The title says it all- all of the writers show that living life with a bi-racial indentity is not "All Black and White."
January 24, 2013
What a wonderful collection of essays, interviews and poems written by a group of multi-racial teens that deals with race. The collection is powerful, honest, gritty and beautiful; can recommend this to everyone; can be especially useful for educators. There are plenty of pieces in this collection that can lend themselves to great discussions and projects in the classroom. I will definitely be adding this to my private library.
November 26, 2012
There is no racial diversity in my personal family heritage, however, I teach in an extremely mixed-race community. So much of what is shared in It's Not All Black and White, was fascinating and eye opening. A wonderfully honest, raw anthology from young people who are biracial or multiracial and their experiences while circumnavigating through life.
January 30, 2013
Disclaimer: I received an ARC through NetGalley and Annick Press in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
***
Excellent anthology of writings - ranging from stories, poems, etc. - featuring writers from a variety of different cultures.
Good resource for younger teachers teaching social studies, but also for older readers as well.
***
Excellent anthology of writings - ranging from stories, poems, etc. - featuring writers from a variety of different cultures.
Good resource for younger teachers teaching social studies, but also for older readers as well.
May 13, 2013
Multiracial youth from a variety of ethnicities and backgrounds have come together to describe what it's like for them to be multiracial. They write poems, conduct interviews, rant, and reflect on relationships, families, appearances, prejudices and what it is like to be a teen dealing with all these things.
March 10, 2013
Loved it - powerful series of poems, essays, interviews that let multiracial youth have their say - passionate, poignant and deeply moving - I can't wait to use this with my first year Children's Studies students!
August 27, 2012
A multi-genre, multi-perspective exploration of multiracial identity issues among youth. Gritty at times, poignant at others--definitely a discussion starter.
April 25, 2015
This book is good because it teaches kids that diversity is good and racism is bad.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews