Rebecca Skloot Quote

Lillian converted to Puerto Rican, Gladys said, holding the letter to her chest. I looked at Gary, who sat beside her. Lillian’s skin was real light, even lighter than mom’s, Gary explained. She married a Puerto Rican somewhere in New York. Since she could pass, she disowned her blackness—converted to Puerto Rican because she didn’t want to be black no more.

Rebecca Skloot

Lillian converted to Puerto Rican, Gladys said, holding the letter to her chest. I looked at Gary, who sat beside her. Lillian’s skin was real light, even lighter than mom’s, Gary explained. She married a Puerto Rican somewhere in New York. Since she could pass, she disowned her blackness—converted to Puerto Rican because she didn’t want to be black no more.

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About Rebecca Skloot

Rebecca L. Skloot (born September 19, 1972) is an American science writer who specializes in science and medicine. Her first book, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks (2010), was one of the best-selling new books of 2010, staying on The New York Times Bestseller list for over 6 years and eventually reaching #1. It was adapted into a movie by George C. Wolfe, which premiered on HBO on April 22, 2017, and starred Rose Byrne as Skloot, and Oprah Winfrey as Lacks's daughter Deborah.