Author Marianne Ruuth found herself drawn to the subject when she learned that biracialism was a growing American phenomenon. According to the U.S. Census Survey in 1997, 311,000 couples were interracial in America, up six times from the same survey in 1960. Government numbers from 1990 showed that more than two million children under 18 reported being of a different race than one of two parents, the same year when almost ten million Americans chose not to describe themselves in the four racial categories provided and instead chose "other."
Skin Deep reveals that those other are often more driven to success than either their wholly black or white counterparts. Memphis Grizzlies co-captain Shane Battier says it’s because they get "it on both sides": the fact that both black and white kids rejected him when he was young gave him more moxie. And Skin Deep is packed with just such achievers in a variety of fields, including law, celebrity photography, music, film and politics.
Readers will also learn about those who have descended from famous achievers - like Nona Harrison, the biracial daughter of Sue Lyon, who played Lolita in Stanley Kubrick’s film adaptation of Nabokov’s infamous novel. Nona says she was so confused about being biracial that she believed she was adopted and accused her mother of being a liar. Readers will also discover the young Nick Sample, son of the famous keyboard artist Joe Sample, and learn about his life growing up in Beverly Hills – which was marred by an incident with local police when he was pulled over and searched as if he were a pimp prowling the streets.
Skin Deep reveals the dynamics of a new America, brought to you by Holloway House Publications.
