Syndetics cover image
Image from Syndetics

The girl in the yellow poncho : a memoir / Kristal Brent Zook.

By: Material type: TextTextPublisher: Durham ; London : Duke University Press, 2023Description: xii, 210 pages, 8 unnumbered pages of plates : illustrations ; 23 cmContent type:
  • text
Media type:
  • unmediated
Carrier type:
  • volume
ISBN:
  • 9781478017196
  • 1478017198
Subject(s): Genre/Form:
Contents:
Kansas Avenue -- Uncle Mervin -- Noches -- Laurel Canyon -- Dra -- Hollywood Boulevard -- Rockin' out -- College life -- Activist -- Light-skinned -- Taking a chance -- Dad -- ABD -- Detour -- Writer -- Pain -- Australia -- Hiding -- An adventure -- Alfonso -- A new life -- Multiracial -- Forgiving -- Memories -- Vashon Island -- Thanksgiving -- Lisa -- Rekindled -- Rage -- A birthday -- Mothers -- Transformation.
Summary: "At five years old, Kristal Brent Zook sat on the steps of a Venice Beach, California, motel trying to make sense of her White father's abandonment, which left her feeling unworthy of a man's love and of White protection. Raised by her working-class African American mother and grandmother, Zook was taught not to count on anyone, especially men. Men leave. Men disappoint. In adulthood she became a feminist, activist, and "race woman" journalist in New York City. Despite her professional success, something was missing. Coming to terms with her identity was a constant challenge.The Girl in the Yellow Poncho is Zook's coming-of-age tale about what it means to be biracial in America. Throughout, she grapples with in-betweenness, childhood sexual assault, economic insecurity, and multiple generations of alcoholism and substance abuse on both the Black and White sides of her family. Her story is one of strong Black women-herself, her cousin, her mother, and her grandmother-and the generational cycles of oppression and survival that seemingly define their lives. Setting out on an inner journey that takes her across oceans and continents, Zook tells the story of a little girl who never gives up on love, even long after it seems to have been destroyed. In the end she triumphs, reconciling with her father and mother to create the family of her dreams through forgiveness and sheer force of will. A testament to the power of settling into one's own authentic identify, this book tells a story of a daughter's lifelong yearning, a mother's rediscovery of lost love, and the profound power of atonement and faith to heal a broken family"-- Provided by publisher.
List(s) this item appears in: Women's History Month (Adults)
Holdings
Item type Home library Collection Shelving location Call number Materials specified Status Date due Barcode Item holds
Adult Book Adult Book Dr. James Carlson Library Biography ZOOK, K. Z87 Available 33111011079791
Adult Book Adult Book Main Library Biography In Case You Missed It ZOOK, K. Z87 ICYMI: Recently New Available 33111011319049
Total holds: 0

Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

At five years old, Kristal Brent Zook sat on the steps of a Venice Beach, California, motel trying to make sense of her white father's abandonment, which left her feeling unworthy of a man's love and of white protection. Raised by her working-class African American mother and grandmother, Zook was taught not to count on anyone, especially men. Men leave. Men disappoint. In adulthood she became a feminist, activist, and "race woman" journalist in New York City. Despite her professional success, something was missing. Coming to terms with her identity was a constant challenge.



The Girl in the Yellow Poncho is Zook's coming-of-age tale about what it means to be biracial in America. Throughout, she grapples with in-betweenness while also facing childhood sexual assault, economic insecurity, and multigenerational alcoholism and substance abuse on both the Black and white sides of her family. Her story is one of strong Black women--herself, her cousin, her mother, and her grandmother--and the generational cycles of oppression and survival that seemingly defined their lives.



Setting out on an inner journey that takes her across oceans and continents, Zook tells the story of a little girl who never gives up on love, even long after it seems to have been destroyed. In the end she triumphs, reconciling with her father and mother to create the family of her dreams through forgiveness and sheer force of will. A testament to the power of settling into one's authentic identity, this book tells a story of a daughter's lifelong yearning, a mother's rediscovery of lost love, and the profound power of atonement and faith to heal a broken family.

Kansas Avenue -- Uncle Mervin -- Noches -- Laurel Canyon -- Dra -- Hollywood Boulevard -- Rockin' out -- College life -- Activist -- Light-skinned -- Taking a chance -- Dad -- ABD -- Detour -- Writer -- Pain -- Australia -- Hiding -- An adventure -- Alfonso -- A new life -- Multiracial -- Forgiving -- Memories -- Vashon Island -- Thanksgiving -- Lisa -- Rekindled -- Rage -- A birthday -- Mothers -- Transformation.

"At five years old, Kristal Brent Zook sat on the steps of a Venice Beach, California, motel trying to make sense of her White father's abandonment, which left her feeling unworthy of a man's love and of White protection. Raised by her working-class African American mother and grandmother, Zook was taught not to count on anyone, especially men. Men leave. Men disappoint. In adulthood she became a feminist, activist, and "race woman" journalist in New York City. Despite her professional success, something was missing. Coming to terms with her identity was a constant challenge.The Girl in the Yellow Poncho is Zook's coming-of-age tale about what it means to be biracial in America. Throughout, she grapples with in-betweenness, childhood sexual assault, economic insecurity, and multiple generations of alcoholism and substance abuse on both the Black and White sides of her family. Her story is one of strong Black women-herself, her cousin, her mother, and her grandmother-and the generational cycles of oppression and survival that seemingly define their lives. Setting out on an inner journey that takes her across oceans and continents, Zook tells the story of a little girl who never gives up on love, even long after it seems to have been destroyed. In the end she triumphs, reconciling with her father and mother to create the family of her dreams through forgiveness and sheer force of will. A testament to the power of settling into one's own authentic identify, this book tells a story of a daughter's lifelong yearning, a mother's rediscovery of lost love, and the profound power of atonement and faith to heal a broken family"-- Provided by publisher.

Powered by Koha