There was lots of sharing -- of sitting space, food, information, and
experiences. Business cards were flying out of wallets and e-mail addresses
were exchanged by many. Nine lucky people won books in a free raffle. The
books included my recently released What Are You? Voices of
Mixed-Race Young People, Gary Nash's Forbidden Love: The Secret History of
Mixed-Race America, Lise Funderburg's Black, White, Other, Danzy Senna's
Caucasia, as well as several rare children's books about the multiracial
experience. The books were donated by yours truly; Margot Sage-El, owner of
Watchung Booksellers (home of Great Owl Books) in Montclair, New Jersey; and Henry Holt and Company
Books for Young Readers.
Jen Chau, Meilina Wilkinson, and Nicole Rivera, three of the 45 mixed-race
young people who contributed to What Are You? were present. Jen read a poem
from the book. The powerful poem "Me" was written by Sara B. Busdiecker of
the University of Michigan.
On Sunday, September 19th, New York City's Central Park was the ideal setting
for a gathering of interracial couples and mixed-race people and their
families and friends in the New York City area. About 40 people enjoyed the
last of the summer sun while chowing down and celebrating the multiracial
experience. They came from New York City, Long Island, New Jersey, and
Washington D.C. Montclair, New Jersey's G.I.F.T. (Getting Interracial
Families Together) was well represented.
Pearl Gaskins
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