Color: Essays on Race, Family, and History

by Kenneth A. McClane

In 1991, acclaimed poet Kenneth A. McClane published Essays, 1985-1990 , a volume of essays dealing with life in Harlem, the death of his alcoholic brother, and the complexities of being black and middle-class in America. Now, in Essays on Race, Family, and History , McClane contributes further to his self-described "autobiographical sojourn" with a second collection of interconnected essays. In McClane's words, "All concern race, although they, like the human spirit, wildly sweep and yaw." A timely installment in our national narrative, Color is a chronicle of the black middle class, a group rarely written about with sensitivity and charity. In evocative, trenchant, and poetic prose, McClane employs the art of the memoirist to explore the political and the personal. He details the poignant narrative of racial progress as witnessed by his family during the 1950s, '60s, and '70s. We learn of his parents' difficult upbringing in Boston, where they confronted much racism; of the struggles they and McClane encountered as they became the first blacks to enter previously all-white institutions, including the oldest independent school in the United States; and of the part his parents played in the civil rights movement, working with Dr. King and others. The book ends with a tender account of his parents in the throes of Alzheimer's disease, which claimed both their lives.

Genres: Essays, Race

120 pages, Paperback

First published March 15, 2009

Reviews

[Devin Alfred · Rating 5 out of 5]

Color is a magnificent book of essays by Kenneth A. McClane, which teaches the ins and outs of race, family, and history. While reading I was eager to laugh, smile, and feel joy from the author's glorious experiences. Hearing anecdotes from his childhood to his manhood is absolutely insightful and entertaining. Of all the essays, my favorite would have to be the story entitled The Mitchell Movement. In this memory, he discloses the horrors he experienced at Collegiate School from racial prejudices to menacing teachers. One specific detail that I found particularly disrupting though a bit humorous was the almost daily routine of his teachers, Mr. Mitchell and Mr. Rodgers, testing him individually by overturning his desk and making him clean up the mess. At first this tactic seemed disturbing and cruel but in the end his teachers had teamed up together planning to teach him a lesson in keeping his desk clean and in life.

In this entire book of essays several other life-lived stories can be discovered along with lessons to the author and reader alike. Having only a little more than 100 words, McClane perfectly intertwines these essays and enlightens the reader with his words.

[Claudia Gonsalves · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was intrigued by his writing, depicting vivid memories of his life.
To the author of this excellent book I say, thank you Kenneth for sharing
intimate events of your life and family.

[Dianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good content. Writing style sometimes a little disappointing. But as a whole the book gave me lots to think about and I would definitely recommend it to anyone living in America right now.