How to Be Black - Softcover

Thurston, Baratunde

3.89

8,814 ratings by Goodreads

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0062692313 ISBN 13: 9780062692313

Publisher: Harper Perennial, 2018

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New York Times Bestseller

Baratunde Thurston s comedic memoir chronicles his coming-of-blackness and offers practical advice on everything from How to Be the Black Friend to How to Be the (Next) Black President now available in a limited Olive Edition.

Have you ever been called too black or not black enough ?

Have you ever befriended or worked with a black person?

Have you ever heard of black people?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, this book is for you. It is also for anyone who can read, possesses intelligence, loves to laugh, and has ever felt a distance between who they know themselves to be and what the world expects.

Raised by a pro-black, Pan-Afrikan single mother during the crack years of 1980s Washington, DC, and educated at Sidwell Friends School and Harvard University, Baratunde Thurston has more than over thirty years' experience being black. Now, through stories of his politically inspired Nigerian name, the heroics of his hippie mother, the murder of his drug-abusing father, and other revelatory black details, he shares with readers of all colors his wisdom and expertise in how to be black.

As a black woman, this book helped me realize I m actually a white man. Patton Oswalt

"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.

Review:

A hilarious blend of razor-sharp satire and memoir...Using his own story and humor, Thurston demonstrates that the best way to be anything is to simply be yourself. (Publishers Weekly)

Terrific...How to Be Black is an assault on nostalgia --Publishers Weekly

A hilarious look at the complexities of contemporary racial politics and personal identity. (Booklist) --Booklist

One of the smartest and funniest books I ve ever read. (Christian Lander (via Twitter)) --Christian Lander

From the Back Cover:

If You Don't Buy This Book, You're a Racist.

Have you ever been called "too black" or "not black enough"?

Have you ever befriended or worked with a black person?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, this book is for you.

Raised by a pro-black, Pan-Afrikan single mother during the crack years of 1980s Washington, DC, and educated at Sidwell Friends School and Harvard University, Baratunde Thurston has over thirty years' experience being black. Now, through stories of his politically inspired Nigerian name, the heroics of his hippie mother, the murder of his drug-abusing father, and other revelatory black details, he shares with readers of all colors his wisdom and expertise in how to be black.

Beyond memoir, this guidebook offers practical advice on everything from "How to Be The Black Friend" to "How to Be The (Next) Black President" to "How to Celebrate Black History Month."

To provide additional perspective, Baratunde assembled an award-winning Black Panel—three black women, three black men, and one white man (Christian Lander of Stuff White People Like)—and asked them such revealing questions as:

"When Did You First Realize You Were Black?"

"How Black Are You?"

"Can You Swim?"

The result is a humorous, intelligent, and audacious guide that challenges and satirizes the so-called experts, purists, and racists who purport to speak for all black people. With honest storytelling and biting wit, Baratunde plots a path not just to blackness, but one open to anyone interested in simply "how to be."

"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.