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Damn near white : an African American family's rise from slavery to bittersweet success

Title
Damn near white : an African American family's rise from slavery to bittersweet success / Carolyn Marie Wilkins.
Author
Wilkins, Carolyn (Carolyn Marie)
Publication
Columbia : University of Missouri Press, c2010.

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StatusFormatAccessCall NumberItem Location
TextUse in library Sc E 10-1639Schomburg Center - Research & Reference

Details

Description
x, 186 p. : ill., ports.; 25 cm.
Summary
"Carolyn Wilkins grew up defending her racial identity. Because of her light complexion and wavy hair, she spent years struggling to convince others she was black. Her family's prominence set Carolyn's experiences even further apart from those of the average African American...Carolyn's parents insisted she follow the color-conscious rituals of Chicago's elite black bourgeoisie--experiences Carolyn recalls as some of the most miserable of her entire life. Only the company of her mischievous Aunt Marjory...does Carolyn feel a true connection to her family's African American heritage. When Aunt Marjory passes away, Carolyn inherits ten bulging scrapbooks filled with family history and memories. What she finds...inspires her to discover the truth about her ancestors--a quest that will eventually involve years of research, thousands of miles of travel, and much soul-searching..."--Dust jacket flap.
Alternative Title
African American family's rise from slavery to bittersweet success
Subject
  • Wilkins, Carolyn > Family
  • Wilkinson family
  • African Americans > Biography
  • African Americans > Civil rights
  • African Americans > Race identity
  • African American families > Biography
  • African Americans > Illinois > Chicago > Biography
Bibliography (note)
  • Includes bibliographical references (p. 171-177) and index.
Contents
The black bourgeois blues -- The research begins, 1995 -- The early career of J. Ernest Wilkins -- Chicago -- I discover a new ancestor -- Memphis, Tennessee, 1874-1878 -- The renegade Baptist, 1885-1887 -- The people's temple, 1887-1888 -- The bigamist, 1889-1915 -- St. Louis -- Farmington, Missouri -- Blackness -- J. Ernest Wilkins in Washington, 1853-1955 -- In Washington, 1955-1957 -- The Civil Rights Commission, 1957-1958.
Call Number
Sc E 10-1639
ISBN
  • 9780826218995
  • 0826218997
OCLC
610853360
Author
Wilkins, Carolyn (Carolyn Marie)
Title
Damn near white : an African American family's rise from slavery to bittersweet success / Carolyn Marie Wilkins.
Imprint
Columbia : University of Missouri Press, c2010.
Bibliography
Includes bibliographical references (p. 171-177) and index.
Research Call Number
Sc E 10-1639
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