Black, White, and Jewish facts for kids

Black, White, and Jewish: Autobiography of a Shifting Self is a book written by American author Rebecca Walker. It was published in 2002. In this book, Rebecca shares her own life story. She explores what it was like growing up with parents from different backgrounds. The book helps readers understand how people find their own identity.

About the Author

Rebecca Walker was born in Jackson, Mississippi, in 1969. Her mother is Alice Walker, a famous African-American writer. Her father is Melvyn R. Leventhal, a Jewish-American lawyer. He worked to protect people's rights. Rebecca's father is white, and her mother is Black. Her mother grew up in a Christian family.

Growing Up with Different Backgrounds

In her book, Rebecca talks about her early life in Mississippi. She grew up during the later years of the Civil Rights Movement. This was a time when many people worked for equal rights for all. Her parents were both very involved in this important movement.

Rebecca shares her experiences of being mixed-race. She explains the challenges of fitting into a society with clear cultural differences. She also discusses how busy her parents were with their careers. This sometimes made family life tricky.

Finding Her Identity

The book focuses on Rebecca's journey to understand herself. She explores her Black heritage and her Jewish heritage. She learns to embrace both parts of her identity. The book shows how she found her place in the world. It's a story about family, culture, and self-discovery.

See also

• African-American Jews