Anece F McCloud

Seeking Personal Validation Anece F McCloud

"Seeking Personal Validation" is a memoir about a black female overcoming various forms of dicrimination, including those based on racism, colorism and classism. Beginning with the Author's first recollection of color prejudice at age six, the chronological text moves from her childhood to her marriage and career. From her youth the author recalls how much she longed to look more like her light skin counsins, an outlook she maintained as she aged. Such recollections form the basis of her later insecurities.

Still this Author's story is encouraging: she is shown facing obstacles but emerging from them stronger and wiser. Discrimination and the heartbreaking pain of losing family members are shown to have been a lot to bear, as were growing up without a father and facing the limitations exerted by poverty. Themes of working hard despite such challenges and of being encouraged by her mother to believe education would grant her a better life pervade. She gives accounts of professional posts and other challenges including directing progrems for minority and disadvantaged college students, her own problems with manic-depressive episodes and other health concerns.

In capturing family members, the author's observations extend to their flaws and her candid narration is convencing.... As the book advances, it shows the author developing self-confidence, moving from an insecure girl to become a renown educational administrator--helping students improve their life outlooks.
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