Black is... Black Ain't

In a narrative centered on the complexities of Black identity, the story explores the intense debates surrounding self-definition within the African American community. It highlights the damaging effects of both external stereotypes imposed by White Americans and the internal, rigid notions of "Blackness" that African Americans often place on one another. Through the metaphor of a grandmother's gumbo, representing the diverse tapestry of Black experiences, the journey spans across the country, encountering Black individuals from varied backgrounds -- young and old, rich and poor, rural and urban, gay and straight -- as they navigate the conflicting and multifaceted definitions of their identity. At the heart of this exploration is Riggs' personal struggle for self-understanding as a Black gay man facing the challenges of AIDS, weaving together these diverse voices into a poignant plea for unity.