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THE BLACK
GIRL NEXT DOOR - Jennifer Baszile Simon & Schuster/Pocket Books February 2010 |
SYNOPSIS: A deeply personal view of a significant period of American social history. Ms. Baszile deftly balances childhood experiences with adult observations, creating an illuminating and poignant look at a unique time in our country's history.
NON-FICTION |4| Dianthia Lemons
REVIEW: Jennifer Baszile gives us insight into her life and growing up from the mid-seventies until she graduates from high school and leaves for Columbia University in New York. One would think that in the mid-seventies that having to deal with the color of one’s skin would not be important. There were blacks in the NFL, NBA, and in every other walk of professional life. Jennifer gets her first taste of racism from a white classmate who refused to concede to defeat in a foot race but stated that “Blacks have something special in their feet to make them run faster”.
Instead of being able to hear the truth from her teacher at that time, Jennifer heard and untruth and felt compelled to find the truth. Mr. Baszille, Jennifer’s father confronted that teacher and she apologized but Jennifer no longer trusted or respected her teacher any longer. Mr. and Mrs. Baszile , Jennifer’s parents, both lived through true racism and wanted better for their daughters. So moving to an affluent neighborhood was supposed to provide that for their children. What occurred was a true introduction to the cowardice acts of narrow minded individuals. Introductions to travel, higher education, better schools and summer enrichment programs, did succeed in making well versed and educated children but what was gained was just as important as what was lost by trying to be the perfect Black Family.
Jennifer Baszile gives all readers insight into her life and for many a
re-visitation to our own post- Civil Rights lives. Education and varied
experiences afforded our children will continue to be the path to success for
Black America. Dealing with our skeletons needs to be something we as parents
who have been exposed to racism should address. One can never go forward
completely until the past is extinguished and released.
reviewer@romanceincolor.com | 1st February 2010