Of Many Colors: Portraits of Multiracial Families

by Gigi Kaeser

Based on an award-winning photo exhibit, this book documents the feelings and experiences of Americans who live in multiracial families. Of Many Colors tells the stories of thirty-nine families who have bridged the racial divide through interracial marriage or adoption. In these pages, parents and children speak candidly about their lives, their relationships, and the ways in which they have dealt with issues of race.

Although the number of mixed-race families in America is steadily rising, this trend remains controversial. For centuries, America has depended on distinct racial categories for its social, political, and economic organization. The current debate over the inclusion of a "multiracial" category on census forms illustrates the extent to which the deeply embedded construct of race continues to divide our society.

Transracial adoption has also generated fierce controversy and debate. As in the case of racial categories, the discussion of transracial adoption reflects ever-changing social standards. As recently as 1987, thirty-five states had laws prohibiting the adoption of black children by white families. In 1996, however, President Clinton signed a bill making it illegal to prohibit adoptions based on race.

The interviews in this book provide the reader with a clear understanding of how mixed-race families contradict stereotypes, challenge racism, and demonstrate that people of different races can indeed live together in harmony. Family members also have much to say about the most intimate form of integration, familial love, and this love is made visible in the superb photographs by Gigi Kaeser.

Genres: Nonfiction

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

Reviews

[Dakota Vaughn · Rating 3 out of 5]

The sentiment behind this book is really beautiful, and the stories and images shared by the families are interesting and lovely. I get the sense, however, that almost all of the families portrayed in this collection are quite affluent, which is not representative of the majority of multicultural families around the world. It seems like most of the families in this book are rich white couples who wanted to make a cultural statement by adopting kids from different cultures. While there’s nothing inherently wrong about this type of family-making, it’s definitely not the true experience of most multicultural families.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this was a really useful read as we prepare to adopt a child that will make our family multiracial. I plan to use the pictures to demonstrate to our child that there are other families that look different from each other. I also enjoyed the personal accounts of how being multiracial affected each member of the family. Their honest sharing of their experience was helpful to me and I hope will help our child as well when they are struggling to find their identity.

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

good

[Valarie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not as diverse as I would have expected, but overall very interesting.