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My Life in Black and White: A Book of Experiences
"What are you?"
"Excuse me?"
"You know, like where are you from?"
"Nebraska."
"No, I mean like, what are you?"
I've been asked this question more times than I can count. And I always know what the person is trying to ask, but I have to admit I kind of like to see them struggle. It shouldn't be so hard to ask, "Hey, what race are you?" But it is. Especially when the person doesn't fit nicely into one box. This is the plight of every ethnically ambiguous-looking person on earth.
Growing up in the Midwest, I never knew I wasn't black until a 12-year-old white boy told me so. Do you have any idea how discombobulating that is? (I love that word.) Anyway - it's confusing. I'd spent the first 11 years of my life thinking I was black. All of sudden, I didn't know what I was. And neither did anybody else.
So, my journey from black to ethnic ambiguity began. There were a few challenges along the way like the time a white supremacist accepted me, but not my brother or father. That was a really strange encounter. Or, when a drunk white guy asked if he could use a plastic fork to comb my beautiful curls. (Everyone knows you don't mess with a black woman's hair.)
But one of the best things about being biracial is the superpower that comes with it. Yeah, you read that right. I have the ability to blend into almost every ethnic group on the planet. Can you do that? With this power comes great responsibility (Thank you Uncle Ben.) And I take it very seriously. Being biracial is about accepting who I am and demonstrating a willingness to accept who everyone else it, too.
Just to be clear, because I don't want you to be disappointed, this book isn't for everyone. You'll need a thick skin, open mind, and a sense of humor to digest it. After all, that's what's gotten me this far.
Who is it for? I'm glad you asked (and you're still reading this blurb.)
If you like reading about other people's challenges and how they overcame them, then you're going to love this book.
If you know a biracial kid who's struggling with who they are, then give them this book. (And tell them to get in touch with me. I'm happy to chat with them.)
If you're curious about what it takes to make it in a black and white world when you're not one or the other, this is the book for you.
Buy My Life in Black and A book of experiences and you'll never be discombobulated about race in America, again.
"Excuse me?"
"You know, like where are you from?"
"Nebraska."
"No, I mean like, what are you?"
I've been asked this question more times than I can count. And I always know what the person is trying to ask, but I have to admit I kind of like to see them struggle. It shouldn't be so hard to ask, "Hey, what race are you?" But it is. Especially when the person doesn't fit nicely into one box. This is the plight of every ethnically ambiguous-looking person on earth.
Growing up in the Midwest, I never knew I wasn't black until a 12-year-old white boy told me so. Do you have any idea how discombobulating that is? (I love that word.) Anyway - it's confusing. I'd spent the first 11 years of my life thinking I was black. All of sudden, I didn't know what I was. And neither did anybody else.
So, my journey from black to ethnic ambiguity began. There were a few challenges along the way like the time a white supremacist accepted me, but not my brother or father. That was a really strange encounter. Or, when a drunk white guy asked if he could use a plastic fork to comb my beautiful curls. (Everyone knows you don't mess with a black woman's hair.)
But one of the best things about being biracial is the superpower that comes with it. Yeah, you read that right. I have the ability to blend into almost every ethnic group on the planet. Can you do that? With this power comes great responsibility (Thank you Uncle Ben.) And I take it very seriously. Being biracial is about accepting who I am and demonstrating a willingness to accept who everyone else it, too.
Just to be clear, because I don't want you to be disappointed, this book isn't for everyone. You'll need a thick skin, open mind, and a sense of humor to digest it. After all, that's what's gotten me this far.
Who is it for? I'm glad you asked (and you're still reading this blurb.)
If you like reading about other people's challenges and how they overcame them, then you're going to love this book.
If you know a biracial kid who's struggling with who they are, then give them this book. (And tell them to get in touch with me. I'm happy to chat with them.)
If you're curious about what it takes to make it in a black and white world when you're not one or the other, this is the book for you.
Buy My Life in Black and A book of experiences and you'll never be discombobulated about race in America, again.
68 pages, Paperback
First published July 27, 2011
2 people are currently reading
115 people want to read
About the author
Kori D. Miller
8 books13 followersHere's the nitty-gritty: I write sinfully scandalous mysteries for adults, and create memorable adventures for young people. If you love Dr. Who, Sherlock, Star Trek, The Sneetches, Marvin the Martian, and Wonder Woman, then we should talk. I also love people-watching, and creating a storyline and dialogue for what I'm seeing. I'd be lying if I said that some of those experiences don't end up in my books. Tweet with me @koridmiller
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
April 9, 2013
My Life in Black and White is a short book (creative non-fiction,) but it packs a real punch. Kori Miller tells a simple truth in this book. No matter what type of skin we have, what our hair looks like or what background we come from, we are all made of the same stuff.
I enjoyed reading this. There are parts of this book that will piss you off, there are parts that will make you laugh and there are some sections that might even bring a tear to your eye. I appreciated the honesty in the author's recollections of growing up as a mixed race person. She shares her thoughts in a way that is both easy to read and makes it simple to understand her position.
There is a little ranting here and there, a lot of intelligent writing and some humor to make you smile. This was a book that I feel smarter for having read. The voice Kori Miller uses to tell her story is strong, but not formal and boring. The book doesn't feel political or like the author is trying to sway the reader to feel a certain way. Instead, she tells you of her own thoughts, memories and opinion and lets you decide what you feel by the end.
While many of the experiences the author speaks of could have made a different type of individual bitter or reclusive, Kori has managed to look inside herself and evaluate the things she has lived through to make her a stronger, more accepting person.
Another thing that caught my attention about this memoir, was the chapter headings she used. Each one is quirky and brilliant and has a special meaning related to the text that follows it. If you are looking for something to read that will make you stop and think and appreciate the differences between us all, may I recommend this book.
I enjoyed reading this. There are parts of this book that will piss you off, there are parts that will make you laugh and there are some sections that might even bring a tear to your eye. I appreciated the honesty in the author's recollections of growing up as a mixed race person. She shares her thoughts in a way that is both easy to read and makes it simple to understand her position.
There is a little ranting here and there, a lot of intelligent writing and some humor to make you smile. This was a book that I feel smarter for having read. The voice Kori Miller uses to tell her story is strong, but not formal and boring. The book doesn't feel political or like the author is trying to sway the reader to feel a certain way. Instead, she tells you of her own thoughts, memories and opinion and lets you decide what you feel by the end.
While many of the experiences the author speaks of could have made a different type of individual bitter or reclusive, Kori has managed to look inside herself and evaluate the things she has lived through to make her a stronger, more accepting person.
Another thing that caught my attention about this memoir, was the chapter headings she used. Each one is quirky and brilliant and has a special meaning related to the text that follows it. If you are looking for something to read that will make you stop and think and appreciate the differences between us all, may I recommend this book.
April 23, 2013
I Love this Book (:
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews