Why am I passionate about this?

I am African American, so colorism is part of living on this planet as a Black person because it’s a byproduct of racism. I am also the mother of a “mixed” child. Her father is White. I am brown-skinned and my daughter is light-skinned and looks racially ambiguous. Since she was a newborn, people have made colorist and racist remarks toward us. The Half Series – When Black People Look White was written based on real-life experiences.


I wrote

Book cover of The Half Series: When Black People Look White

What is my book about?

The Half Series - When Black People Look White focuses on the colorism that biracial, mixed, and multi-ethnic people deal…

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The books I picked & why

Book cover of The Meaning of Mariah Carey

Dangerous Lee Why did I love this book?

From the very beginning of her career in the 90s, Mariah Carey, who is of Black and Irish ancestry, has had to deal with questions about her racial background and still today people are shocked to learn that she has Black heritage. In her memoir, Mariah talks about what it was like growing up as a mixed child as well as her struggles as an adult in the music industry.

By Mariah Carey,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Meaning of Mariah Carey as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

The global icon, award-winning singer, songwriter, producer, actress, mother, daughter, sister, storyteller and artist finally tells the unfiltered story of her life in The Meaning of Mariah Carey.

It took me a lifetime to have the courage and the clarity to write my memoir. I want to tell the story of the moments - the ups and downs, the triumphs and traumas, the debacles and the dreams - that contributed to the person I am today. Though there have been countless stories about me throughout my career and very public personal life, it's been impossible to communicate the complexities and…


Book cover of The Darkest Child

Dangerous Lee Why did I love this book?

This novel takes place in Pakersfield, Georgia, 1958. The darkest child is Tangy Mae Quinn who is the sixth of ten fatherless siblings. She is the darkest-skinned among them and considered the ugliest by her mother, who is light-skinned, but she is the brightest and has been selected to be part of the first integrated class at a nearby White high school.

By Delores Phillips,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked The Darkest Child as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Pakersfield, Georgia, 1958: Thirteen-year-old Tangy Mae Quinn is the sixth of ten fatherless siblings. She is the darkest-skinned among them and therefore the ugliest in her mother, Rozelle’s, estimation, but she’s also the brightest. Rozelle—beautiful, charismatic, and light-skinned—exercises a violent hold over her children. Fearing abandonment, she pulls them from school at the age of twelve and sends them to earn their keep for the household, whether in domestic service, in the fields, or at “the farmhouse” on the edge of town, where Rozelle beds local men for money.
 
But Tangy Mae has been selected to be part of the…


Book cover of She's Such A Bright Girl: An American Story

Dangerous Lee Why did I love this book?

In this memoir, Petula talks about the light-skin privilege and pain she suffered through growing up in the 70s and 80s in Paterson, New Jersey and Baltimore, Maryland with a dark-skinned mother and a light-skinned father. Her father, Walter, raised her to be as “White” as possible by neglecting her Black heritage which caused her to have a huge identity crisis.

By Petula Caesar,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked She's Such A Bright Girl as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

"She's Such A Bright Girl: An American Story" is a story of respectability politics gone very wrong. Petula Caesar is raised in the 1970s and 1980s in Paterson, New Jersey and Baltimore, Maryland. Petula's Black parents, dark-brown skinned Christine and a very light-skinned Walter – migrate north from the south to find work. Once their light-skinned daughter is born, Walter realizes her complexion could give her a great advantage in her life if used correctly. Walter raised Petula to be as "White" as possible by straightening her hair, surrounding her with White dolls, only exposing her to culture created by…


Book cover of Whiter: Asian American Women on Skin Color and Colorism

Dangerous Lee Why did I love this book?

Unfortunately, colorism/racism issues are not limited to the Black community. The #StopAsianHate hashtag started trending in 2021 due to Covid19 being linked to China along with disparaging comments from Trump. This resulted in hate crimes against Asian people increasing. The personal accounts of Asian American women in this book highlight their experiences with skin color bias, aspirational Whiteness, anti-Blackness, skin bleaching, and plastic surgery.

By Nikki Khanna,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Whiter as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Heartfelt personal accounts from Asian American women on their experiences with skin color bias, from being labeled "too dark" to becoming empowered to challenge beauty standards
"I have a vivid memory of standing in my grandmother's kitchen, where, by the table, she closely watched me as I played. When I finally looked up to ask why she was staring, her expression changed from that of intent observer to one of guilt and shame. . . . 'My anak (dear child),' she began, 'you are so beautiful. It is a shame that you are so dark. No Filipino man will ever…


Book cover of Moonwalk

Dangerous Lee Why did I love this book?

I have been and always will be a huge Michael Jackson fan. And because my book was inspired by conversations about his children, I feel it only right to list his autobiography on my list. Michael Jackson is often accused of wanting to be White because of his various plastic surgeries and the change in his skin tone but what many people don’t know, or believe, is that he suffered from vitiligo, a skin disorder that causes pigment-producing cells to die or stop functioning.

By Michael Jackson,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Moonwalk as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

The only book Michael Jackson ever wrote about his life

It chronicles his humble beginnings in the Midwest, his early days with the Jackson 5, and his unprecedented solo success. Giving unrivalled insight into the King of Pop's life, it details his songwriting process for hits like Beat It, Rock With You, Billie Jean, and We Are the World; describes how he developed his signature dance style, including the Moon Walk; and opens the door to his very private personal relationships with his family, including sister Janet, and stars like Diana Ross, Berry Gordy, Marlon Brando, Quincy Jones, Paul McCartney,…


Explore my book 😀

Book cover of The Half Series: When Black People Look White

What is my book about?

The Half Series - When Black People Look White focuses on the colorism that biracial, mixed, and multi-ethnic people deal with as well as how they see themselves. Features interviews, first-person accounts, fun facts, and discussions about the children of Michael Jackson.

Book cover of The Meaning of Mariah Carey
Book cover of The Darkest Child
Book cover of She's Such A Bright Girl: An American Story

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Raising an Entrepreneur: How to Help Your Children Achieve Their Dreams - 99 Stories from Families Who Did

By Margot Machol Bisnow,

Book cover of Raising an Entrepreneur: How to Help Your Children Achieve Their Dreams - 99 Stories from Families Who Did

Margot Machol Bisnow Author Of Raising an Entrepreneur: How to Help Your Children Achieve Their Dreams - 99 Stories from Families Who Did

New book alert!

Why am I passionate about this?

I’ve become passionate about telling parents how to raise happy, resilient, creative, confident, entrepreneurial children who are doing something that gives them joy. So many young people are unhappy; parents don’t understand how to help. They think their children should follow their path, but that no longer works for many. For the last 10 years, I’ve been speaking to parent groups; I was an Advisor to EQ Generation, an after-school program that gives children the skills to succeed; on the Advisory Board of MUSE School, preparing young people with passion-based learning; and on the Board of Spark the Journey, mentoring low-income high school students to achieve college and career success. 

Margot's book list on learn how to raise confident children

What is my book about?

This book shakes longstanding assumptions of parenting.

Through 99 stories of people who are now changing the world, it shows how to raise creative, confident, resilient children who are filled with joy and purpose. Based on interviews with top entrepreneurs and their parents, it guides you to help your children identify their passion and figure out how they can spend their professional lives doing something they love. 

Parents' well-intentioned efforts often boomerang. By ignoring their children’s skills and interests, parents can inadvertently create pressure and anxiety, thwarting their children's ability to excel and find happiness. Too often, following your heart…

Raising an Entrepreneur: How to Help Your Children Achieve Their Dreams - 99 Stories from Families Who Did

By Margot Machol Bisnow,

What is this book about?

Learn how successful entrepreneurs were raised! Could your children start a company that disrupts existing industries? Or a non-profit that helps people around the world? Or follow their passion as an artist or activist? And most important, lead a life of joy and purpose, to be happy and fulfilled? Margot Machol Bisnow, mother of two thriving entrepreneurs, reveals how to raise creative, confident, resilient, fearless kids who achieve their dreams, through 99 stories of families who did it.

Read stories from 70 families who raised true game changers. See family photos of these thriving entrepreneurs, both when they were young…


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Interested in Georgia (USA), Michael Jackson, and race relations?

Georgia (USA) 99 books
Michael Jackson 2 books
Race Relations 268 books