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suvata's review against another edition
3.0
I found this book to be mildly amusing. I probably couldn't relate because I'm white and have never had a particular desire to be black.
readingwithhippos's review against another edition
4.0
Back in January, I got bitten by the New Year's Resolution bug and decided to try jogging. It was one of those decisions made in a hasty blur of good intentions, and in stubborn denial of all existing evidence against it. Evidence like the fact that running makes me furious, and I hate it.
Not to toot my own horn, but I actually stuck with it for about two weeks. What ended my short-lived attempt at fitness glory? I ran a full mile without stopping, promptly hurt my ankle, and limped my way back to the car, sweat dripping down into my sports bra along with my dreams of 13.1 stickers and social media self-congratulation. Running is best left to the experts, people like my handsome husband and Olympians. I'll stick to walking and the occasional yoga DVD.
By the time I came to my senses, however, I'd already signed up for an Audible subscription. Audiobooks are expensive, after all, and not to hate on my beloved public library, but their audio collection at the moment consists mostly of CDs, to which all I can say is, holy antique technology, Batman. (Hey, the budget only goes so far. I get it.) Back when I pictured myself prancing merrily down the street several times a week, I thought audiobooks would be great because that way I wouldn't sacrifice any reading time. And they would have been, had I actually continued with my running plan past, I don't know, chapter three.
So anyway, it took me two months to listen to How to be Black, but that's my fault, not the book's, because the book is hilarious and thought-provoking and challenging. Thurston is, among other things, a writer for The Onion, and he has the rare and valuable ability to be simultaneously entertaining and sharply observant. I laughed even as I cringed in recognition of my own biases and assumptions.
With chapter titles like “How Black Are You?” and “How to Be the Black Friend,” Thurston explores his own experience as a black man in America, but he also broadens the scope by interviewing a panel of other witty, insightful people. A perk of the audio version is that it's narrated by Thurston himself, plus the audio from his interviews is included, so we get to hear each person's answers in his or her own voice. That added a lot for me.
It's clear from just a quick glance through my shelves that I don't read much non-fiction. When I do, I gravitate towards writing like this: personal, honest, funny, and illuminating. How to Be Black is a lot more than a book-length joke; it's humorous, sure, but it's also concrete proof that you can crack people up and make a point at the same time.
My jogging experiment may have failed, but at least I got this book out of the deal.
More book recommendations by me at www.readingwithhippos.com
Not to toot my own horn, but I actually stuck with it for about two weeks. What ended my short-lived attempt at fitness glory? I ran a full mile without stopping, promptly hurt my ankle, and limped my way back to the car, sweat dripping down into my sports bra along with my dreams of 13.1 stickers and social media self-congratulation. Running is best left to the experts, people like my handsome husband and Olympians. I'll stick to walking and the occasional yoga DVD.
By the time I came to my senses, however, I'd already signed up for an Audible subscription. Audiobooks are expensive, after all, and not to hate on my beloved public library, but their audio collection at the moment consists mostly of CDs, to which all I can say is, holy antique technology, Batman. (Hey, the budget only goes so far. I get it.) Back when I pictured myself prancing merrily down the street several times a week, I thought audiobooks would be great because that way I wouldn't sacrifice any reading time. And they would have been, had I actually continued with my running plan past, I don't know, chapter three.
So anyway, it took me two months to listen to How to be Black, but that's my fault, not the book's, because the book is hilarious and thought-provoking and challenging. Thurston is, among other things, a writer for The Onion, and he has the rare and valuable ability to be simultaneously entertaining and sharply observant. I laughed even as I cringed in recognition of my own biases and assumptions.
With chapter titles like “How Black Are You?” and “How to Be the Black Friend,” Thurston explores his own experience as a black man in America, but he also broadens the scope by interviewing a panel of other witty, insightful people. A perk of the audio version is that it's narrated by Thurston himself, plus the audio from his interviews is included, so we get to hear each person's answers in his or her own voice. That added a lot for me.
It's clear from just a quick glance through my shelves that I don't read much non-fiction. When I do, I gravitate towards writing like this: personal, honest, funny, and illuminating. How to Be Black is a lot more than a book-length joke; it's humorous, sure, but it's also concrete proof that you can crack people up and make a point at the same time.
My jogging experiment may have failed, but at least I got this book out of the deal.
More book recommendations by me at www.readingwithhippos.com
nglofile's review against another edition
3.0
Pointed commentary couched both in humor and in personal experience. It's an effective blend, and one I don't know that I've seen attempted in quite this way. It's well-paced and lightly dished out, yet some of the "instruction" has bittersweet resonance.
I did enjoy the memoir aspects more than the satire, but that isn't a criticism of the other. Thurston has lived a fascinating life, and it was intriguing to learn of chapters that made significant impressions, led to turning points, or were formative in his current perspectives and choices. The addition of the "Black Panel" was inspired, adding in a group of other voices, including women, to speak to stereotypes and challenges in a way that enriched the conversation.
Entertaining, poignant, and provocative.
I did enjoy the memoir aspects more than the satire, but that isn't a criticism of the other. Thurston has lived a fascinating life, and it was intriguing to learn of chapters that made significant impressions, led to turning points, or were formative in his current perspectives and choices. The addition of the "Black Panel" was inspired, adding in a group of other voices, including women, to speak to stereotypes and challenges in a way that enriched the conversation.
Entertaining, poignant, and provocative.
jmbrown99's review against another edition
4.0
Humorous and honest. One of those helpful reads that has you laughing heartily. But, suddenly you are swept into a moment of asking yourself why you are laughing. Thurston puts together a meaningful memoir about blackness and the many different opinions/voices trying to state precisely what it is. I thoroughly enjoyed this thoughtful and meaningful book that provoked personal questions.
moirwyn's review against another edition
4.0
This review was originally written for my blog, Books Without Any Pictures:
http://bookswithoutanypictures.com/2014/08/08/black-baratunde-thurston/
I bought How to Be Black by Baratunde Thurston because I thought it would make a hilarious coffee table book and/or conversation piece. Race is one of those taboo topics that people (myself included) aren’t comfortable talking about. Since Baratunde Thurston writes for The Onion, I hoped he’d be able to talk about racial issues with humor and levity. I’d consider it a success.
How to Be Black is hard to categorize. It’s part humor, part education, and part memoir. It’s designed to make you think, but it’s also lighthearted. The author alternates between a memoir-style format that describes the role that race played in his own life and satirical lists of anecdotes influenced by a panel of writers and experts, including a token white guy. It’s tongue-in-cheek, and designed to get you out of your comfort zone. Panelists address racially-charged questions like “How Black Are You?” and “Can you swim?” There are satirical how-to sections involving how to get involved in politics, how to be the black friend, and being black in the workplace. Thurston’s main point throughout the book is that it’s important to embrace your own uniqueness, and that’s an important message for anyone to learn. You don’t have to conform to other people’s expectations, but just be yourself.
Baratunde Thurston grew up in Washington, DC. As a transplant to the area, it was very interesting for me to see what it was like for people who grew up here. Thurston’s childhood was rather unique. His mom was an ex-hippie government employee, and his absent father was a drug addict. His neighborhood was rough (it was the 80s, after all), but on the other hand, we also got to see Thurston’s experiences attending the Sidwell Friends School. For all of you non-DC/politico types, Sidwell Friends is the super pretentious expensive exclusive school that Chelsea Clinton and the Obama girls attend(ed). It’s one of the top schools in the country. Readers get to see a contrast between some of the major problems of the crack epidemic and the life of a somewhat sheltered kid growing up on the periphery and learning how to function in two different worlds.
I do think that the book achieved its objective. It was funny and it made me think. There was only one minor thing that annoyed me. I’ve been living in the DC area for about 8 years now. There’s a certain obnoxious type of yuppie here who can’t resist the urge to namedrop all the important people that he/she knows and has worked with over the years and to brag about his/her career at every opportunity, whether or not it is relevant. The author is one of these people, and the book would have been better if he would have taken out a little bit of the “guess-who-I-know-at-the-Washington-Post” references.
So, there you have it. How to Be Black is smart, funny, is a great starting point to thinking about racial issues because Thurston is able to make readers feel comfortable while discussing a topic that most people are uncomfortable talking about. I’d definitely recommend it.
http://bookswithoutanypictures.com/2014/08/08/black-baratunde-thurston/
I bought How to Be Black by Baratunde Thurston because I thought it would make a hilarious coffee table book and/or conversation piece. Race is one of those taboo topics that people (myself included) aren’t comfortable talking about. Since Baratunde Thurston writes for The Onion, I hoped he’d be able to talk about racial issues with humor and levity. I’d consider it a success.
How to Be Black is hard to categorize. It’s part humor, part education, and part memoir. It’s designed to make you think, but it’s also lighthearted. The author alternates between a memoir-style format that describes the role that race played in his own life and satirical lists of anecdotes influenced by a panel of writers and experts, including a token white guy. It’s tongue-in-cheek, and designed to get you out of your comfort zone. Panelists address racially-charged questions like “How Black Are You?” and “Can you swim?” There are satirical how-to sections involving how to get involved in politics, how to be the black friend, and being black in the workplace. Thurston’s main point throughout the book is that it’s important to embrace your own uniqueness, and that’s an important message for anyone to learn. You don’t have to conform to other people’s expectations, but just be yourself.
Baratunde Thurston grew up in Washington, DC. As a transplant to the area, it was very interesting for me to see what it was like for people who grew up here. Thurston’s childhood was rather unique. His mom was an ex-hippie government employee, and his absent father was a drug addict. His neighborhood was rough (it was the 80s, after all), but on the other hand, we also got to see Thurston’s experiences attending the Sidwell Friends School. For all of you non-DC/politico types, Sidwell Friends is the super pretentious expensive exclusive school that Chelsea Clinton and the Obama girls attend(ed). It’s one of the top schools in the country. Readers get to see a contrast between some of the major problems of the crack epidemic and the life of a somewhat sheltered kid growing up on the periphery and learning how to function in two different worlds.
I do think that the book achieved its objective. It was funny and it made me think. There was only one minor thing that annoyed me. I’ve been living in the DC area for about 8 years now. There’s a certain obnoxious type of yuppie here who can’t resist the urge to namedrop all the important people that he/she knows and has worked with over the years and to brag about his/her career at every opportunity, whether or not it is relevant. The author is one of these people, and the book would have been better if he would have taken out a little bit of the “guess-who-I-know-at-the-Washington-Post” references.
So, there you have it. How to Be Black is smart, funny, is a great starting point to thinking about racial issues because Thurston is able to make readers feel comfortable while discussing a topic that most people are uncomfortable talking about. I’d definitely recommend it.
juliash's review against another edition
challenging
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
4.5
nytekit's review against another edition
4.0
This book was hilarious! A bit of stand-up comedy, which is always infused with some truth, yet even more funny because of it. I think the title of the chapters say it all, for example: How to be the Black best friend, Can you swim?, and How to be the Black employee. Really just so hilarious and a good read for anyone.
pentalith5's review against another edition
4.0
The book was laugh-out-loud funny, but it was an easy read. Baratunde did not take a whole lot of risks with this book, because he wants everyone to love him. And we do! (I'm making an exception to my rule of referring to authors by their last names, because Baratunde is just such a cool name! No disrespect!)
He points out the existence of "The Angry Negro" but then distances himself from that. Oh sure, he admits that he has occasionally played the "confrontational" role, but he never confronts his readers. The one example he uses of a time when he became The Angry Negro was a moment in high school (so we can blame it on hormones, right?) when he "lost his cool". So basically, it's not cool to be angry. Angry people should "run a few laps to chill out" which is what he did. He ridicules examples of angry black people who start arguments for stupid things like being asked "paper or plastic" at the grocery. The last few sentences of the Angry Negro chapter:
"You are fearless. You're an angry black superhero for justice. Remember that when people inevitably start to distance themselves from you. Being hated is part of the job."
Wow, how to even begin to parse that? I know this book is satire, which means every sentence is laced with both truth and hyperbole and the opposite of truth, but it sounds like Baratunde himself can't decide about the question of Anger, so he uses "satire" to cloak himself in as much ambiguity as possible. It seems clear that he kind of thinks that Anger is the most appropriate and truthful response to discrimination against blacks. And yet he almost, but not quite, admits that he hates the Angry Negro. But because this book is satire, he doesn't have to lose face by actually delving into WHY he, and maybe others, hate Angry Negro.
I can tell you why. It's because in order to make real change in polite society, you have to pretend to be polite, even if it's total bullshit and you are fuming inside. Angry people ruin everything, they are too truthful, they are too MAD, and therefore not like us. They are the embodiment of how we feel on the inside but have spent our whole lives bottling up. It's a threat. We are jealous at how free those madmen are. We'd rather hide 99% of the truth from ourselves because living with 100% of the truth about racism is just too overwhelming. We want to ship these super-angry people somewhere far, far away. So that we can sleep at night. And wage a more peaceful war, a more civilized war, a more drawn-out and ultimately more damaging war. People are cowards.
But, Baratunde is supah smart, and knows how to sell gobs of books, and to do that he has to be polite and satirical and ambiguous. He knows how to not alienate anyone, which is impossible if you really want to speak truth about racism, but somehow he does it. It's awesome being funny! So, needless to say, I wanted more of a challenge, but I loved the book anyway.
He points out the existence of "The Angry Negro" but then distances himself from that. Oh sure, he admits that he has occasionally played the "confrontational" role, but he never confronts his readers. The one example he uses of a time when he became The Angry Negro was a moment in high school (so we can blame it on hormones, right?) when he "lost his cool". So basically, it's not cool to be angry. Angry people should "run a few laps to chill out" which is what he did. He ridicules examples of angry black people who start arguments for stupid things like being asked "paper or plastic" at the grocery. The last few sentences of the Angry Negro chapter:
"You are fearless. You're an angry black superhero for justice. Remember that when people inevitably start to distance themselves from you. Being hated is part of the job."
Wow, how to even begin to parse that? I know this book is satire, which means every sentence is laced with both truth and hyperbole and the opposite of truth, but it sounds like Baratunde himself can't decide about the question of Anger, so he uses "satire" to cloak himself in as much ambiguity as possible. It seems clear that he kind of thinks that Anger is the most appropriate and truthful response to discrimination against blacks. And yet he almost, but not quite, admits that he hates the Angry Negro. But because this book is satire, he doesn't have to lose face by actually delving into WHY he, and maybe others, hate Angry Negro.
I can tell you why. It's because in order to make real change in polite society, you have to pretend to be polite, even if it's total bullshit and you are fuming inside. Angry people ruin everything, they are too truthful, they are too MAD, and therefore not like us. They are the embodiment of how we feel on the inside but have spent our whole lives bottling up. It's a threat. We are jealous at how free those madmen are. We'd rather hide 99% of the truth from ourselves because living with 100% of the truth about racism is just too overwhelming. We want to ship these super-angry people somewhere far, far away. So that we can sleep at night. And wage a more peaceful war, a more civilized war, a more drawn-out and ultimately more damaging war. People are cowards.
But, Baratunde is supah smart, and knows how to sell gobs of books, and to do that he has to be polite and satirical and ambiguous. He knows how to not alienate anyone, which is impossible if you really want to speak truth about racism, but somehow he does it. It's awesome being funny! So, needless to say, I wanted more of a challenge, but I loved the book anyway.
arosenberg403's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
4.5