Customer Reviews

The Interracial Experience: Growing Up Black/White Racially Mixed in the United States

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

As a parent of a mixed race child I have been troubled by the extreme lack of research and literature that addresses the adjustment of mixed race children. This book finally addresses this gap. The author highlights the unique emotional and social needs of interracial people. I found her discussion of experiences in the family, community, school and dating that help or undermine the adjustment of interracial children particularly helpful. I enjoyed hearing about their longings, ambitions, social lives and love relationships. I was also very pleased that she challenged some of the myths that have tainted the image of interracial people. The stories of the people the author interviewed are extremely poignant and so is the analysis and interpretation of their accounts. I learned a lot of new information from this book. Most of all, however, it helped me to better understand the needs of my child.

The book is a wonderful discussion of the factors that influence an interracial person's racial identity. Some books I have read on this topic were nothing more than an individual's reflections on the issue. Other books were too scientific and uninteresting. This book, however, is an incredible mix of excerpts from dozens of interviews with interracial people, as well as an on-point analysis of the import of what they are saying. The book also speaks to many things that interracial people think and feel, but seldom discuss with others.

I am glad someone wrote this book as it relates to far more than just black / white mixes. Indeed, it relates to any racial or cross-cultural mix.

i enjoyed this book immmensely. everyone should read, especally those of mixed heritage. the book helped me understand issues that i went through and showed me that i am not alone in my struggles as an interracial person.

Someone is finally getting past the superficial and looking deeply and objectively at factors that contribute to interracial peoples' race identities. Although the book focuses on black / white mixes, the information and experiences are relevant to all intercultural and interracial relationships. The book also sheds light onto many of the racial stereotypes and little-spoken of biases that pervade inter and intra-race relations in our society.

I wish I read this book while I was growing up. I would have understood my surroundings and myself much quicker and much better.