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About the BookAs a child in 1950s segregated Virginia, Gregory Howard Williams grew up believing he was white. But when the family business failed and his parents’ marriage fell apart, Williams discovered that his dark-skinned father, who had been passing for Italian-American, was half black. The family split up, and Greg, his younger brother, and their father moved to Muncie, Indiana, where the young boys learned the truth about their heritage. Overnight, Greg Williams became black. In this extraordinary and powerful memoir, Williams recounts his remarkable journey along the color line and illuminates the contrasts between the black and white worlds: one of privilege, opportunity, and comfort; the other of deprivation, repression, and struggle. He tells of the hostility and prejudice he encountered all too often, from both blacks and whites, and the surprising moments of encouragement and acceptance he found from each. Life on the Color Line is a uniquely important book. It is a wonderful inspiring testament of purpose, perseverance, and human triumph. Why this Book?A committee of faculty, staff, and current LSU students selected Life on the Color Line for its focus on racial identity and acceptance. It is an engaging and moving story about the author’s personal experience as a young boy in the 1950s, who grew up believing he was white, but ultimately discovered he was part black after the collapse of his parents’ marriage. It is an inspiring autobiography that demonstrates how one person’s determination and spirit, with the help of a few key people, can overcome many obstacles – obstacles as serious as racial conflict, prejudice, poverty, alcoholism, and family dysfunction. The book also highlights subjects including foster parenting, mentoring, decision making and problem solving skills, the role of athletics in a young person’s life, school problems, and school successes. The tragedy surrounding Hurricanes Katrina and Rita has brought new insight to the social issues and inequalities facing Louisiana. Now more than ever, it is important to understand these difficulties in overcoming social obstacles, racial conflict, and prejudice, so that progress for all becomes the top priority in rebuilding Louisiana and making the world a better place to live. In 1995, Life on the Color Line was chosen as the winner of the 1995 Los Angeles Times Book Prize. In 1996, the Gustavus Myers Center for the Study of Human Rights in North America named Life on the Color Line an "Outstanding Book on the Subject of Human Rights." Praise for Life on the Color Line
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