Black, White, Other: Biracial Americans Talk About Race and Identity

by Lise Funderburg

In this updated 20th anniversary edition of the landmark book, "Black, White, Other: Biracial Americans Talk About Race and Identity," journalist Lise Funderburg explores the lives of 46 adult children of black/white unions. The author's thoughtful essays frame first-person narratives on such topics as Family, Prejudice, Love and Romance, Work, Religion, Identity Politics, Citizenship, and Community. These voices of unflinching honesty, whipsmart humor, extraordinary insight and deep feeling comprise a stunning — and enduring — portrait of race in America.

This anniversary edition retains the original material from the 1994 edition— from a time that seems not so long ago, but was before Barack Obama had stepped onto the national stage; before the U.S. Census implemented its "Check All That Apply" option; and during a period in which national discussions of race centered on Rodney King, O.J. Simpson, and the U.S. Government's official apology to those Japanese-Americans imprisoned during World War II.

This eBook edition includes enhanced photos of its 46 interview subjects, a new foreword by novelist Mat Johnson (Pym, Hunting in Harlem, Incognegro: A Graphic Mystery), and links to updated commentary from the book's original participants.

Here's what reviewers say about Black, White, Other:

“[Black, White, Other] is an example of how we can talk about race with feeling, humor, and dignity.” – Kyoko Mori, The New York Times

“No book is more likely to force a reader to confront his beliefs about race than this one.” – The Buffalo News

“Funderburg lets her subjects ask–and answer–the controversial, touchy questions that many wonder but few dare to pose.” – Indianapolis Star

Genres: Nonfiction, Race, Social Science, Cultural, Psychology, Sociology

391 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1994

About the author

I'm a writer based in Philadelphia. I've written for many national magazines and newspapers, and my latest book is called "Pig Candy: Taking My Father South, Taking My Father Home." It's a memoir/social history about race, filial duty, mortality, and barbecue."

Reviews

[Cardyn Brooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding examination of the personal devastation caused by entrenched racial stereotypes, especially for individuals who physically appear to be neither 100% one thing or another.

[Zoe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book compiling interviews with 40+ mixed individuals. I was at times inspired and excited for raising children with these struggles, and at times concerned. I hope I can do my best to raise children with a healthy sense of identity and a realistic view of the world.

[Kerry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helped me to know there are others that go thru what I do.

[Amy Hanson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am an African American/Native American. So, I can really relate to some of the people that she interviewed. It is a powerful and realistic book of what interracial people go through in this country. It is sad that most people believe that being light skinned, and near white, or passing for white is a great thing. The comments about "good hair" etc.,. But, what it actually does is make people jealous of you, and not like you. Some of the real accounts were disturbing, sad, and eye opening.

[Alex Piven · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. This is the first book I have read that deals with biracial people as the subject, and I found it incredibly insightful. It stimulated me in thinking about my own experience as a biracial person. Above all, it highlighted how different each and every one of our experiences are, growing up as a biracial person in America.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

well organized and an easy read but not sure that I learned any thing new.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dated, yet sadly still relevant.

[Latham · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is about 20 years old and was an interesting read. I'd like to think that our notions of "different" or "other" continue to evolve.