We Jews and Blacks: Memoir with Poems

Willis Barnstone's third book of memoirs begins with his childhood and ends with the death of his brother in 1987. A central theme is that of labels -- names, ethnicities, all distinctions that cause suspicion, anger, and destruction. Barnstone speaks as a Jew who has from early in his life shared parallel experiences with African Americans. He dwells on his own experience of "passing," already present in the name Barnstone, a name changed before his birth to conceal -- or not to advertise ...