This choice was made by a number, though by no means all, of the mixed race Black contributors. Some of these women say that because society sees them as Black and because their African background has had the most influence in their lives, it makes sense for them to call themselves Black. For others this decision is politically motivated. A few contributors speak of feeling alienated, at least at some point in their lives, from both or all their heritages. However, given that studies have shown that knowledge of and pride in one's heritage lead to better self-esteem and social adjustment, it is important for parents, whatever their origin, to teach their children about their background.
Racial discrimination is a constant theme in the book.
Most contributors have faced racism, though some have experienced it more than others. In perhaps its most painful form, it occurs within the family. Nila Gupta, a lesbian of White and South Asian descent, tells of how her French-Canadian mother, who was mentally ill during much of Gupta's childhood, would call her children racist names. However, in not all cases was such discrimination directed by Whites at non-White family members. Her father rejected her marriage to a Greek Cypriot on these grounds, though ironically in terms of cultural traits such as family orientation Greeks may have more in common with Arabs than with other Western peoples.