This memoir is about my personal experience with African Americans pressuring me to be "blacker."
It took a move to the South and a culture shock from hell for me to realize I was black. Up until that point I had just been darker and my hair was a bit more unruly. Until my move to Alabama, I lived on the assumption that skin color was enough to make you black. Little did I know that it’s actually a huge responsibility. Along with skin color, I had to listen to certain music, speak a special language, and be too cool for certain things, such as school and white people. I dove into a period of my personal history that would test my blackness. Ultimately, I was a complete failure at being black. This is a fact that is just fine with me.
Excerpt
"Maybe thats the problem with racism. People expect change to come rapidly because we're Americans. But Americans arent special, and people are slow as hell to change."
"People tel me all the time how different I am. Natasha, they tell me, you're different from any black person I've ever met. I'm so unique. I'm superior to most black people because I'm so white."
Professional Reviews
Natasha Larry has the potential to change the world!, March 17, 2007
Genre: Memoirs
Title: Grey Girl: A Memoir of Blackness
AUTHOR: Natasha Larry
Grey girl is a true story of one woman's discovery that prejudice is a double edge sword and although this is the 21st century, some people hold on to the past with an iron grip.
Natasha Larry does not see color, she sees people. However, she soon discovers that being black is more important than merely being human in some demographic areas. A relocation as a teen, to the southern states educates her in the ways of the black culture. This book gives a wonderfully refreshing view of how people relate and how we should move forward in our society. The past, although it should not be forgotten, should be a stepping stone to move forward and not an anchor to keep us living in the past.
Natasha Larry is a born storyteller and has the potential to change the world. This young woman sees objectively and clearly into the future and could become one of America's leaders. The book is an easy read, more like a conversation with a friend than a book. Readers will identify with the characters in the story and be enlightened to a culture that is not often portrayed in the best light. Readers will also be surprised to learn who is responsible for this reflection. The epilogue found at the back of the book will start readers thinking and perhaps chang their attitude for the better. This is a book for everyone, regardless of color, religion or culture. An excellent insight!
Author Natasha Larry is 24 years old, but wise beyond her years. She is a history graduate student living in Tennessee. This is her first book but we look forward to many more, watch for this author in the future.
Highly recommended by reviewer: Shirley Roe, Allbooks Review.
Title: Grey Girl
Author: Natasha Larry
Publisher: Publish America
ISBN: 978-1424-1482-8-8
Pages: 124
Price: $17.95
March. 2007
Grey Girl: A Memoir of Blackness
Grey Girl... couldn't arrive at a more appropriate time. While talk show hosts and public figures debate about debasing African-Americans or people of color, Natasha Larry has written and published a straight and bold book about her own journey through relationships with white and black people in different parts of the United States. Growing up in a home where love, honesty and wise words were present in the most needed moments, Natasha is forced to think about her experiences related to color outside of her family environment in high school and college.
The questions she continuously asks until she begins to find answers are VITAL for ALL AMERICANS to ask:
What are the chains around the word, "nigga," used by anyone? (What a powerful poem addresses this on the first page!)
Why is one a traitor to people if one associates with people of another color?
Why do all people, black or white, stereotype behavior based on color?
Why don't black men take responsibility for the course of their relationships and success/failure instead of blaming prejudice? Is there validity here?
While these are the pivotal ideas in this amazing memoir, so much more fills the pages of this passionate, intelligent, humorous, and sensitive book!
Read it America! This is one of the most important memoirs to be published in a very long time! And keep writing, Natasha Larry - readers need to keep hearing your talented voice!
A passionate and poignant memoir written by a woman whose life has been guided by the words: "I am here to learn how to love well." The book is a deep examination of relationships, family, motivation, and honoring of the Self.
(Richard M. Feldman) Ever since I was a young boy, the only thing I wanted to be was a cowboy. I wanted to own and work on a real ranch, with cattle and horses. Especially horses.
While I never became a cowboy, considering everything I have done
