Ask The Puma Research Guides: Near-White

Near-White

Claude McKay was an African-American author who was born in Jamaica.  He became a central figure of the Harlem Renaissance literary movement of the 1920’s and 1930’s.  McKay’s short story “Near- White,” comes from his collection entitled Gingertown.  “Near-White” concerns a light-skinned black lady, Angie Dove, who can “pass” as a white person.   She falls in love with a white man, but gets her heart broken once she discovers that he would never love a woman if he knew that she was black. Relevant sources include those dealing with the confusing identity associated with being a person of mixed racial heritage.

Circulating Books and Materials – A Selected List

• Bird, Stephanie Rose.  Light, Bright, and Damned NearWhite.  2009.

                     Call Number:  GN495.6 .B56 2009     *(This book explores issues concerning mixed race.)

Reference Materials

• Harlem Renaissance. – Call Number:  REF PS153 .N5 H245 2003

o Volume 3, pages 239-240

• Twentieth-Century Literary Criticism. – Call Number:  REF PN771 .G27

o Volume 41, page 329

Research Databases

To access Valencia’s research databases, open your Atlas account, select “Search the Library,” then select “Databases A-Z.”

• Academic Search Complete     *(This is an excellent database for exploring issues concerning mixed race.)        
• Literature Criticism Online     *(Type in Near-White and highlight Named Work.) 

This Research Guide is designed to help users find information on a particular topic within the Valencia College East Campus Library.  This is by no means a comprehensive list of resources and other resources may be available on this topic.  Please check the LINCCWeb, Valencia East’s online catalog, to verify the availability of circulating books within the library.  Feel free to ask a librarian for help if you need further assistance.

Valencia College East Campus Library

Last Revised on November 21, 2021