Analyzes the origins of the derogatory phrase "white trash" by documenting the meanings projected on to poor rural whites in the U.S. from the early 1700s through the early 1900s.

Winner of the ALA Asian/Pacific American Award for Nonfiction "Captivating... [a] heartfelt account of how newcomers carve a space for themselves in the melting pot of America." --Publishers Weekly A first-generation immigrant's "intimate, passionate look at race in America" (Viet Thanh Nguyen), an American's journey into the heart of not-whiteness.

A first-generation American's searing appraisal of race and assimilation in the US At the age of twelve, Sharmila Sen emigrated from India to the US. The year was 1982, and everywhere she turned, she was asked to self-report her race. Rejecting her new 'not quite' designation-not quite white, not quite

Presents a series of critical essays discussing the structure, themes, and subject matter of Fitzgerald's story of the love between wealthy Jay Gatsby and the beautiful Daisy Buchanan.

Embraces the leading edge in critical race theory.