Love in Black and White: A Memoir of Race, Religion, and Romance - Hardcover

Love in Black and White is a great love story, and much more. Bill and Janet Cohen show what can happen when people from diverse backgrounds move beyond their differences to embrace their common humanity. We can all learn from their example. -- President Bill Clinton Racism and Anti-Semitism are twin evils in our lives and Bill Cohen and Janet Langhart Cohen have confronted them both with courage and class. They are two of my favorite human beings. -- Quincy Jones In Love in Black and White, William S. Cohen brilliantly chronicles the courageous struggles against ethnic and racial discrimination encountered by two twentieth century families who epitomize the American Dream, and who dared to allow love to trump convention in the process. -- Donna Brazile, CNN and ABC political commentator for CNN and ABC; former campaign manager for Al Gore in 2000 Our nation needs to engage in an open and honest examination of race. Bill and Janet have something to contribute. Their willingness to challenge convention throughout their lives is a story that needs to be told. Now is the time to tell it. -- Bruce Gordon, former president, NAACP A poignant testimony to the blessings that come from seeing beyond race, religion, and politics into the hearts of others. -- Senior Rabbi Steve Leder, Wilshire Boulevard Temple, Los Angeles Love In Black And White is one of the most eloquent, searing, and brilliant explorations of love across the color line that I have ever read. With the pen of a poet and the wisdom of a sage, the Cohens delve richly into their own story to illumine the nation's story-one shaped by the vices of racism and the virtues of racial progress. By tapping the wellsprings of their remarkable individual journeys, and then testifying of the union they have forged in the midst of skepticism and hostility, their courageous vow to love each other no matter what inspires us all to do the same. This soul baring and heart cheering memoir is must reading. -- Michael Eric Dyson, author of Debating Race A unique and moving memoir-instructive, insightful, and filled with poignant and joyous stories-a pleasure to read. -- Madeleine K. Albright, former United States Secretary of State Love in Black and White is a heartfelt message that love, respect, and tolerance give us the strength to challenge the darker impulses of humanity. -- Deepak Chopra, author, The Path to Love This is an inspiring story of two high-profile people...of different racial and religious backgrounds who managed to overcome the long and troubled history of race and romance in the U.S. * Booklist *

Streaming Video on Love In Black & White now available at Expandedbooks.com Most Americans regard the World War II period as belonging to the "greatest generation," but it was also a time when religious intolerance and racial violence flourished. Shamefully, it was commonplace to see signs that read "Whites Only" or "Jews Not Allowed." It is within this world that this compelling memoir is set. William Cohen, born in Bangor, Maine, was the eldest son of a Jewish father and a Protestant Irish mother. Janet Langhart, an African-American, was raised in Indianapolis, Indiana by her single parent mother, a Southern Baptist. The book draws fascinating parallels between the histories of two people from different regions, races, and religions, as both are witnesses to and targets of the social tensions of the day. Throughout Love in Black and White, readers accompany Bill and Janet in their struggle to overcome to the barriers of ethnic and racial bigotry and hatred. The stories are rich and profound. At times they are amusing. Other times, harrowing. Against impossible odds, Bill would be elected to serve his country as a U.S. Congressman and Senator, and Janet would become a prominent television personality, activist, and highly respected businesswoman and author. Opposites in so many ways-in color, faith and culture-seemingly a bundle of contradictions, they meet in 1974, become friends, and eventually fall in love. They decide to marry on Valentine's Day 1996 in the very place that once harbored some of the nation's most prominent racists-the U.S. Capitol. They receive the surprise of a lifetime when Bill is asked by President Bill Clinton to serve as the nation's 20th Secretary of Defense. It is a calling that proves to be life transforming for both him and Janet, as they lead, inspire and bring comfort to the men and women who defend our nation. It is at the Pentagon where they witness just how powerful our nation ca