Dreaming In Color Living In Black And White: Our Own Stories of Growing Up Black in America

In this young adult anthology, many people of color share their stories of oppression, discrimination, and triumph.

I constantly questioned myself as a child. All of the positive images of people Id seen were white. To be beautiful, you not only had to be stick-skinny, with no behind, you had to have long silky blond hair and blue eyes, a thin nose, and thin lips. I just didnt measure up. Charisse Nesbit, Maryland

These true stories from every part of America tell what it was like growing up in world where the color of peoples skin set them apart.

How do you feel when a teacher doesnt believe that you wrote the story he thinks is great? How can you make friends and belong in a black school when your father is black and your mother is Puerto Rican? What do you do when youre working in the kitchen of a summer camp in Vermont, but youre not allowed to swim in the camp lake?

All the writers pain, confusion, humiliation, and rage are vividly expressed, but many of them went on to realize their dreams against overwhelming odds. Their voices offer hope, inspiration, and a challenge to us all. See more