Once Upon a Time When We Were Coloured by Clifton L. Taulbert

Title: Once Upon a Time When We Were Coloured
Author: Clifton L. Taulbert
ISBN: 0140244778
Publisher: Peguin Books/1989
Pages: 153
Genre: Non-fiction

The author writes about his life in Glan Alla, Mississippi. In a coloured set up. He fondly recalls his family, his cousins, friends. He tals about the feeliing of community along with segregation from whites. That did not affect the deep love he shared with his community, family, cousins and friends.

The picking up of otton, a job in the field of ice delivery, the arrival of minstrel show and festivities. All these sustain him. Despite hardships, he never lets go of his hopes and dreams and he does make something of his lie.

Those people he grew up with, might have been uneducated by our standards. But the most important thing they taught him was, family values and love. Being coloured in a white set up does not deter them. It fact it made them strong and self reliant. With underlying humour, this book tackles the irony of life rather very beautifully.