Bonnie M. Davis - The Biracial And Multiracial Student Experience: A Journey To Racial Literacy

The Biracial and
Multiracial
Student Experience

To my granddaughter, Eva Salom lvarez Davis Born December 30, 2007
You are the future!

The Biracial and
Multiracial
Student Experience

A Journey to Racial Literacy

Bonnie M.
DAVIS

Copyright 2009 by Corwin

All rights reserved. When forms and sample documents are included, their use is authorized only by educators, local school sites, and/or noncommercial or nonprofit entities that have purchased the book. Except for that usage, no part of this book may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

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Printed in the United States of America.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Davis, Bonnie M.
The biracial and multiracial student experience: A journey to racial literacy/Bonnie M. Davis.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978-1-4129-7505-6 (cloth)
ISBN 978-1-4129-7506-3 (pbk.)
1. Racially mixed peopleEducationUnited States. 2. Multicultural educationUnited States. 3. Teacher-student relationshipsUnited States. I. Title.

This book is printed on acid-free paper.

09 10 11 12 13 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

T he more books I write, the more I learn how much I depend on others. First, thank you, Dan Alpert, my editor at Corwin. Dan is so exceptional: he knows when you need a phone call; he understands your feelings; and he gives you the feedback you need to succeed. Along with Dan, Mary Kim Schreck, friend and fellow author, offered me feedback and solace as she was writing her own book.

Thanks to Kim Anderson. Kim first suggested I write a book in 2000, and then she did everything to make it happen. She formatted my writing, bound and printed it, and set up a Web site to promote it. For this book, too, she was there every step of the way.

A big thanks goes out to Ruth Dambach, my sister, who has been by my side throughout the process of each of my books. She reads my writing, edits, formats, and ensures it all gets done. She is always there for me as are the rest of my familymy sisters, Susan and Mary, and my dad.

Thanks to my dear friends who supported me during this process: Elizabeth Krekeler, Nan Starling, Julie Heifetz, Tina Lombardo, and Nancy Saguto. They patiently listened to me and offered advice when asked. Hugs to Dorothy Kelly, who contributed to my first book and continues to help me learn what I dont know I dont know.

Thanks to Glenn Singleton and Curtis Linton for their groundbreaking work in the area of Courageous Conversations About Race. I have learned so much from them. Thanks also to the reviewers who read the draft and responded with comments that caused me to extensively revise the book. A special thanks to Randy Lindsey who took the time to meet with me and offer his sage advice.

I have to acknowledge the team I have worked with in St. Louis since 1997 at Cooperating School Districts. Dennis Lubeck, Sheila Onuska, Sue Heggarty, Mike Grady, and Megan Moncure have provided a professional family for me through all the changes that have occurred in the last decade. Thank you!

A very special thanks goes to all the individuals who contributed their narratives for the book and to those individuals, such as Charles Rankin, Jon Clark, Gloria Barajas, Jane Bannester, and Sarah Riss, who solicited students for me to interview. The book would not exist without the support of all of these individuals. These individuals shared personal and often-times private experiences so we could better learn about the lives of mixed-identity children and their families. You can find their names listed below. I am especially grateful to my son, Reeve, and his partner, Brenda, and to my daughter, Leah, for sharing their stories for moms book. Thank you. Last, but never least, thanks to Fred, my dancing partner in life.

Thanks also to the Corwin team: Acquisitions Editor Dan Alpert, Associate Editor Megan Bedell, Production Editor Eric Garner, Copy Editor Jeannette McCoy, Typesetter C&M Digitals (P) Ltd., Proofreader Susan Schon, Indexer Sheila Bodell, and Cover Designer Rose Storey.

The individuals listed below contributed narratives to the book:

Corwin gratefully acknowledges the contributions of hte following reviewers:

Tim Bremner, History Teacher

Youth Empowerment School, Oakland, CA

Kathleen Graves, Director of Behavioral Health

Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, Anchorage, AK

Katie Hoerner, Project Director, Teaching American History

St. Clair County Regional Office of Education, Belleville, IL

Kerrie Kern, Communication Arts Teacher

Mehlville High School, St Louis, MO

Randall Lindsey, Educational Consultant

Escondido, CA

Sharon Menotiades, English Teacher

Granada Hills Charter High School, Granada Hills, CA

Alberta Sautter, Assistant Professor, Department of Middle and Secondary Education

Southeast Missouri State University, Jackson, MO

Joshua Seldess, Freshman Boys Adviser Chair