Black Berry, Sweet Juice by Lawrence Hill

The powerful, unnerving novel Black Berry, Sweet Juice was written by Lawrence Hill and published in 2001. Both Hill’s own life experiences and the perspectives of thirty-four other Canadians of mixed-race are documented and portrayed to reveal the truth about racial categories in Canada. Hill’s story exposes the struggles that individuals who are neither black nor white face in the course of a lifetime. His story starts with how his white mother met his black father and carries on with the experiences of their three children. Although it is clear that being black in the mid-nineteen hundreds was a struggle in Canada, Hill makes one believe that being both white and black brings one a whole new set of difficulties. Predominantly, the search for one’s identity is a constant battle when society has only two categories of race.

Hill covers themes regarding mixed-race such as the struggles that children are faced with, the resentment towards mix-race couples, and the confusion one faces while trying to find oneself as a mixed-race individual. Although these are controversial topics that can provoke many emotions in individuals of mixed-race, Hill exudes sensitivity and courage that is quite commendable. At no point does he fault others, or make statements induced solely by anger. Hill is quoted saying “It’s necessary to probe into the social meanings of race. The book is my attempt to examine the issues of race. [The book is for] anyone who’s interested in examining the core of race and how it’s played out. My existence is the fighting against easy definitions of race.”

The tone of Black Berry, Sweet Juice is serious, and yet also has a humorous edge. The book is well written, and is similar to how one would speak. It carries a constant flow and simple vocabulary. The sentences vary in length, but are mostly on the longer side.

An author of African-American descent that one can compare this novel to is W.E.B. Du Bois. His theory of the “double-consciousness” that blacks have to maintain and the struggle to find one’s identity is very similar to the struggle that Hill is suggesting that mixed-race individuals face, as well. However, it is interesting that in Hill’s situation, he strove to be black rather than white, regardless of the issues that blacks face. Hill explains how, in Canada, it is necessary to know where one belongs as far as race and identity. This is why choosing to pass as black would be less controversial than being of mixed-descent. In comparison to the other readings we have focused on in this class, Black Berry, Sweet Juice is from the perspective of a Canadian. This aspect makes the book unique, and gives one a new perspective of life and racial issues that are present beyond the country of the United States of America. For this reason, I believe this book would be an interesting read for all, and a great addition to this course’s syllabus.