But What about the Children?

Trying to stop her from marrying a black man, Shirley A. Blair Keller's grandfather asked his daughter, "If you do not care about yourself, what about the children?" It didn't stop the marriage. Keller lived with the question a lifetime and decided to write an answer to her grandfather. Struggles were a plenty with parents who were social activists, in a time of segregation, anti-immigration, and religious bigotry prevalent in the majority culture of the land. Families come in many forms: blood, by marriage, by adoptions, adding siblings that are birth, steps, halves, and relationships-of-the-heart. Secrets and lies are a part of the tapestry. Figures like Paul Robeson and Josephine Baker, heroes in the movement for equality and justice, are living characters in her story. She also was a volunteer, then lived and worked in Synanon, a rehabilitation organization and community. Controversial and troubling and yet relationships developed that lasted a lifetime. Teachers of human development including diversity and cross cultural teaching could use this book as an adjunct to main the text for undergraduate and graduate students. You will find this an exciting page turner.