Book excerpt: The Life and Confessions of a Black Studies Teacher is a poignant account of the experiences of a Black female growing up in the segregated South. Arrington describes how she overcome poverty and racism to be selected by The Black Panther Party to head the first Black studies in Oakland, CA. She discusses techniques to assist African American teachers with developing a curriculum that addresses the unique academic needs of inner city Blacks. She provides the reader with reasons why it is important to maintain Ethnic Studies as a separate department.