It's Not All Black and White: Multiracial Youth Speak Out

This collection of personal stories, poetry, artwork, and photography was created through the project Making Sense of One. Based at St. Stephen's Community House, a social service agency in Toronto, the project brought young adults together to share their experiences and focus on issues of racial identity. Their backgrounds include African, Caribbean, European, Latino, Native American, and South American. Contributions by and interviews with adults who share their experiences and discuss raising mixed-race children are also included. The collection explores how multiracial people identify themselves and how they are perceived by others; the positive aspects of being able to embrace multiple cultures and ethnicities; as well as the racism they encounter, and the confusion, frustration, resentment, anger, and isolation they experience. Compelling graphics and fonts, some resembling handwriting, impart a visceral sense of directness and intimacy. Sidebars provide definitions of words that have been used to categorize and define race, ethnicity, and interactions among racial groups. People of mixed race will be able to identify with the stories that are shared, and will see themselves reflected in this collection. This important book will be valuable in opening up discussion about issues of racial identity.—Francesca Burgess, Brooklyn Public Library, NY