Louisiana Creoles: Cultural Recovery and Mixed-Race Native American Identity

Jolivétte argues forcefully that Louisiana Creoles can only be properly viewed – and view themselves – through the lens of multiraciality. The writing style is free of jargon, the book includes many informative quote, and Jolivétte is insightful. Other useful features include a table summarizing key historical moments in Creole history and a list of Creole organizations and Web sites. Recommended.

At its core the book discusses the internal struggle of Louisiana Creoles with mixed heritage to define themselves among family and friends, within local communities, and among Americans at large. . . . The study approaches questions about race, ethnicity, and choice both sociologically and anthropologically. Jolivette includes portions of his research tools in the appendices. These include a survey, interview questions, and a list of Creole organizations, periodicals, and Web sites, all of which give the reader a glimpse into his methodology. . . . Louisiana Creoles does prove a useful book for examining why individuals identify themselves among family members, publicly and politically, if not always culturally, and provides a starting point for other works on multiethnic identity.

Andrew Jolivette has provided the reading audience with an excellent study of a much needed topic: the historical and contemporary experiences of Creole people outside of the New Orleans area. A must read for those interested in America”s mixed-race phenomenon. — Troy Johnson, Chair, American Indian Studies, California State University