Your perspective often changes if you grew up mixed race in the ‘50s and ‘60s like the author. Being treated differently by different cultures, although not unusual these days, put him in white, black and Creole environments without knowing those groups’ expectations or customs.

This memoir considers people, places and events—the core elements that helped others accept, tolerate or “place” former professor George Sylvie, whose life interconnected with history (e.g., The Great Migration, the Civil Rights Movement, the return South, Affirmative Action), encountered ever-evolving litmus tests, and required in-the-moment tweaking.

But humanity, bittersweet humor, and the stubborn pursuit of balance were the tools that Sylvie used to navigate the terrain of politics and relationships that he encountered. Travel with him as he describes the intense human struggles in dealing with racial identity and ambiguity, youthful conflict, peer pressure, parental embarrassment, imposter syndrome, anxiety, discrimination, and depression, among others. Along the way, you’ll feel the heartache and the strength he found. Whether you put little trust in others, or if you’re a glass-half-full type of person, you’ll discover how his dealings with people evolved, complete with honest storytelling, and how they made him who he is.