The Edge of Whiteness by Joe Montaperto
THE EDGE OF WHITENESS, although sort of a quirky coming of age story, is also a humorous and edgy social commentary on one community’s reaction to the inexorable march of change which defined a unique time period - the funky early 1970’s.
1969 Brooklyn smolders in the volatile aftermath of the recent race riots. The family of young Joey Montaperto flees their beloved Italian neighborhood for a New Jersey suburb so painfully white that it makes the TV show “My Three Sons” seem exotic. Ironically, when the high school there is then later forcefully integrated, the sensitive Joey in confronted with an even more brutal racial conflict. Unexpectedly rescued from a hallway ambush by a murderous yet artistic loner, though, he is subsequently introduced to a fascinating new world of black culture. Finding his soul and “soul” in the writings of Malcolm X, a doomed first love with a sizzling but heroin plagued Puerto Rican hairdresser, and ultimately, a spiritual journey into the study of Islam – it all causes a major conflict within his Catholic family, and the Mafia restaurant where he is employed as a dishwasher.
Joe Montaperto's Bio:
Joe Montaperto, a proud native of Brooklyn, studied and performed drama and improv before embarking on the New York City comedy circuit in the edgy, crack riddled era of the 1980’s. He later applied his training to perform his one man shows in theaters in and around the city before becoming burned out and heading to the Ecuadorian Amazon jungle for some serious soul searching. An avid traveler and spiritual seeker, Joe also prides himself on having lived in some of the worst places in the world, and still still thoroughly enjoys making prank phone calls.
Marilyn: Wow, what a biography. I asked Joe to tell me why he wrote his book and this is what he told me.
Joe: I wrote it because I think it was a story that needed to be told, not from an academic or political viewpoint, but from a kid who actually lived the experience. the 1960's are written about ad infintum, but it was the early years of the 1970's when alot of those ideals and experiments were actually put to the test. I believe it was quite a fascinating and unique time period in our country's history that h been kind of glossed over in my opinion. I learned a lot of things, met a lot of interesting people and those years ultimately shaped my life and world view. Although not politically correct, I try to present the story honestly humorously and directly, as I experienced it.
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| Joe Montaperto |
To learn more about Joe and his book, visit his website at http://www.joemomtaperto.com/
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Marilyn