Purpose

This digital exhibit aims to document the prevalence and significance of fictional mixed race characters in our literary history and visual culture; to open minds to the underrepresented world of mixed identity in a society that often chooses to ignore it; and to facilitate conversations about mixed race in past and contemporary culture.

Process

As part of the Capstone Class Project, each student gathered a list of all the mixed race characters they have encountered in literature and cinema. From these lists, students selected characters for which they wrote exhibit entries. Each entry includes the name of the character, the source text, and a description of the character’s function and significance in the story.

Prospect

We envision the exhibit to grow into a rich resource for literary and cultural studies scholars, with contributions from anyone who wishes to add to the exhibit.