About John
John Wulsin taught high school English for forty years, mostly at Green Meadow Waldorf School in Spring Valley, New York. With degrees in English and American Language and Literature from Harvard (A.B.) and Columbia (M.A.), he also taught numerous adult courses in the History of English Poetry. He participated in frequent writer’s workshops on poetry, especially with poets Dan Masterson and Suzanne Cleary. He took numerous workshops sponsored by the Texas Writer’s League. He edited The Riddle of America and coedited Books for the Journey. He also authored The Spirit of the English Language.
John is currently revising his second novel, Lucien: I Too Shall Pass, with Austin’s Atmosphere Press (2025).
About the book
In DRAUSIN and JOSEPHINE: We Too Shall Pass, Drauzin Valsin Bacas and his brothers discover their father’s secret of passing as white in New Orleans. Despite their pleas, their father chooses to maintain his white identity, leading to their banishment. Set against the backdrop of the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850, Drauzin and his wife Josephine embark on a journey north with their children to escape racial oppression.
In Cincinnati, they decide to pass as white to secure their freedom. However, as they navigate the challenges of living as white Americans, they confront the legacy of their family’s past. Drauzin grapples with his parents’ actions, questioning the impact of their choices on their lives.
As Drauzin faces his mortality, he reflects on the consequences of passing and the true cost of denying their heritage. Josephine offers a perspective on their legacy, suggesting that their sacrifice may enable future generations to adapt and thrive.
DRAUSIN and JOSEPHINE: We Too Shall Pass is a poignant exploration of identity, sacrifice, and the enduring legacy of family.