It can be tough enough to grow up Black in America. In Hari Ziyad's case, a few further complications were added. Mom was a Hindu Hare Krishna, dad was a Muslim, there were 18 other kids in the blended family, and Hari identified as queer.
The trials and tribulations of that life are portrayed in Hari's memoir Black Boy Out of Time. The book tracks the limited set of choices Black children realize they have available in America, and the struggle to expand life choices beyond those limits.
Hari Ziyad visits with an overview.