So said a tongue-in-cheek Richard Michelson as he began his reflective presentation on writing across racial lines. Several of his books (including his upcoming AS GOOD AS ANYBODY) present black characters and viewpoints. The links below are examples of two of his essays which deal with this issue.

STOMPING AT THE SAVOY
Writing Across Racial Lines
http://www.nextbook.org/cultural/feature.html?id=299
Nextbook/4.26.06

FROM COLD FEET TO HAPPY FEET
http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA6393026.html?display=current&industry=Soapbox&verticalid=792
Pulbishers Weekly/11.20.06

Mr. Michelson also treated us to excerpts from his picture books HAPPY FEET, ACROSS THE ALLEY, and TOO YOUNG FOR YIDDISH. He answered numerous questions about editors, illustrators, and book research as well as shared some of his life story with us. I felt very lucky to have been a part of this wonderful evening presentation by such a reknowned author and poet.

If you ever have the chance to attend an event featuring Mr. Michelson, I suggest you go. On my own sole-ful speaker scale, I give him a 10–all ten toes-tapping and both feet can’t keep still. (And that’s excellent–because I can dance, sort of.)