White Like Her: My Family's Story of Race and Racial Passing

Gail Lukasik

Skyhorse Publishing, 2017

Agent: Jill Marr

White Like Her: My Family's Story of Race and Racial Passing is the story of Gail Lukasik's mother's "passing," Gail's struggle with the shame of her mother's choice, and her subsequent journey of self-discovery and redemption. 

In the historical context of Jim Crow South, Gail explores her mother's decision to pass, how she hid her secret even from her own husband, and the price she paid for choosing whiteness. Haunted by her mother's fear and shame, Gail embarks on a quest to uncover her mother's racial lineage, tracing her family back to 18th century colonial Louisiana. In coming to terms with her decision to publicly out her mother, Gail changed how she looks at race and heritage. 

With a foreword written by the host of Genealogy Roadshow, break down barriers with this unique and fascinating story of coming to terms with oneself.