Black Like Me

By: John Howard Griffin

Narrated by: Ray Childs

Length: 7 hrs and 9 mins

Publisher's summary

Writer John Howard Griffin (1920-1980) decided to perform an experiment in order to learn from the inside out how one race could withstand the second class citizenship imposed on it by another race. Through medication, he dyed his skin dark and left his family and home in Texas to find out.

The setting is the Deep South in 1959. What began as scientific research ended up changing his life in every way imaginable. When he decided the real story was in his journals, he published them, and the storm that followed is now part of American history.

As performed by Ray Childs, this first-ever recording of Black Like Me will leave each listener deeply affected. John Howard Griffin did the impossible to help bring the full effect of racism to the forefront of America's conscience.

©1989 Elizabeth Griffin-Bonazzi, Susan Griffin-Campbell, John H. Griffin, Jr., Gregory P. Griffin, and Amanda Griffin-Sanderson; 1960, 1961, 1977 John Howard Griffin (P)2004 Audio Bookshelf

Critic reviews

"No one can read it without suffering." (Dallas Morning News)
"Only the coldest of hearts could be unaffected by this story, told with dignity and warmth, conviction and steadfast honesty. Audiobooks like this can help heal wounds and open minds about racism, an issue our nation still struggles with." (AudioFile)

Ball State University (BSU) Summer Project 1965

Would you consider the audio edition of Black Like Me to be better than the print version?

Yes, I have been offering to my book club members and every person of color who I am associated with in my personal and professional life.It was a Summer Reading for freshman at BSU in Muncie Indiana. I went to an all white school in Indianapolis. I do not recall much racism up to that point. Mostly encounters with Blacks were with two of the High Schools in Indy that had integrated and at sport events.

What did you like best about this story?

The author's experiences within the Black community as a Black stranger in the community seemed to be the same as in any white community. There were friendly people who helped, and good and bad example of members of the community. The BIG difference was how he was treated by the White community as a Black person. It opened my eye back then to what it was like to be treated as inferior without cause.I did pledge a Fraternity there and the racism was clearly present even among the athletes. Those uncomfortable moments were in the form of jokes and references to people I did not know.

What about Ray Childs’s performance did you like?

Cared the story well and keep me involved.

If you could give Black Like Me a new subtitle, what would it be?

The book is 35+/- years old. Black and White people should look at the facts in 1959 and compare them to now. We are making progress. Keep working toward Dr. King's dream.

Any additional comments?

The strife in the US today is heart breaking and show the road is long. Each incident that bring us closer to a understanding of the basic fact "we are all humans" and we are where we are and who we are because of what we have done so far.
Let's all commit to some improvement of the situation.

Power Read.

This book is Powerful.
Very well written, the narrator did a great job. I will definitely listen to this book again.

Same old struggle

This is a memoir of John Griffin's experience where he experienced what it was like to be African American in the 50s. He used medicine to make his skin appear darker and tried to observe how he was treated differently. It's a pretty eye opening even in today's standards how different for African Americans and just the overall sense of hopelessness. The part that was the most troubling for me is that we struggle with many issues today. A worthwhile read for everyone and should be shared in all high school curriculums.

There were moments when the writing got a little wandery. But overall it's a good read and I highly recommend it.

Still very relavent

This book reminds us of how far we have come in just decades not generations. It also reminds us of the many problems that still remain as we have had eerily familiar acts today. Although some parts are tough to listen to (my kids winced at the n-word) it is a wonderful insight into this man's very unique experience. We should all try to walk in someone else's shoes for a while.

this book should be a study requirement

I love this book I've been told time and time again to read it, and now I shall listen to it again and again and again.

In My Shoes

Superb work and first - hand masterful delivery documenting the cultural traditions and mores that still keep races captive and
misunderstood, even as they "rub elbows" every day. Foundational to it all is the judgmental attitudes placed upon each other by the color of our skin. The book succeeds in
capturing what it Is like to be black in a white man's world.
... eye-opening!



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A must read for all

This books stands the test of time and it's a most read for all. Its a very matter of fact book and offers insight in the the life of a POC with out over stepping eventho he using the N-word often it's so elegant.

Still relevant after all these years 😔

The parallels between then and now are hard to miss. What a fantastic read!

Living black within the first 100 years after slavery was no piece of cake.

I like true stories. I particularly enjoyed this one because I had heard of this happening and had lived the life of a person of color during this era. I knew this to be true having lived it. The reader read it as if he really experienced these things too. I am very happy that this person was able to experience this life and was able to dispel some of the myths that some had taught about black people, black men in particular. Thanks for the experiment and the expose.

WOW

This is a great book. Extremely eye opening to things I already know but to hear it brings a lot of validation!