A Foot in Each World: Essays and Articles [Paperback]

Leanita McClain (Author), Clarence Page (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

McClain (1952-84) made her way from Chicago's black South Side to being the Chicago Tribune 's youngest columnist and editorial board member. Her success in moving between those worlds also brought the tension shown in these 75 pieces of her journalism collected here by her husband. The topics are race, politics, crime and punishment, home and family, and schools; the unifying theme is America's two societiesblack and white, separate and unequal. "I have a foot in each world, but I cannot fool myself about either . . . . I know how tenuous my grip on one way of life is, and how strangling the grip of the other way of life can be," she wrote. Her chilling insights and clear prose make this book required reading. Highly recommended. Thomas J. Davis, African American Studies Dept., SUNY at Buffalo
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 181 pages
• Publisher: Northwestern Univ Pr (November 1986)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0810107422
• ISBN-13: 978-0810107427
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,391,075 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read!, October 1, 2007

By 

Abraham Q. Dillman (Tyler, Texas United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Foot in Each World: Essays and Articles (Hardcover)

A very rivetting and hard-hitting collection of essays! A must read for anyone interested in social issues and the African American experience in America.

5.0 out of 5 stars One Of The Best Books I've Ever Read, January 22, 2012

By 

FireStarter - See all my reviews

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This review is from: A Foot in Each World: Essays and Articles (Paperback)

Before her unfortunate suicide, journalist Leanita McClain gave the world some of the most stunning commentary about race, racism and classism.

As a middle class educated black woman I can relate to much of what the author writes. Her essay, How Chicago Taught Me To Hate Whites, is eye-opening and ground-breaking because it shows us how people of color can become prejudice/racist when faced with prejudice against themselves. This essay is also eye-opening because it shows the thoughts of a woman that was literally losing her mind. The essay might even be viewed as a cry for help. Even still these essays are timeless and though-provoking.

I enjoyed reading the authors profound thoughts.