How to Be Black

By: Baratunde Thurston

Narrated by: Baratunde Thurston

Length: 6 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's summary

Audie Award Nominee, Narration by the Author or Authors, 2013

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?

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 30 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 listeners 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, author 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".

©2012 Baratunde Thurston (P)2012 HarperCollins Publishers

How to be whether you are Black or White

What made the experience of listening to How to Be Black the most enjoyable?

Baratunde is smart, thought provoking, and yet mixes his keen insight with humor.

What was one of the most memorable moments of How to Be Black?

Love the Black Panel and the solutions to vexing problems encountered by Black People working, learning and living in a majority society. Baratunde's story is one that can resonate with all people and helped to form his ideas and his unabashed spirit. Being aware of the reality that we can do anything while frightening to some is soothing to me as a parent of young Black men that are being educated to take on the broader world.

What does Baratunde Thurston bring to the story that you wouldn???t experience if you just read the book?

Intellect, Wit, and a clear voice that can guide Black people both young and old. Also a great read if you are not Black but want to be relevant in today's society.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

If possible I would have said yes. However, this is a book that I later purchased for my iPad Kindle app after listening to the audio. It is really that good.

Any additional comments?

Buy this book so that at least you can act like you know.

dohp!

just an amazing source of inspiration to be who I am and to know that whatever that looks like... ITS OOOOHHHKAAAYY

Fantastic 'Primer' on Being Black in America

I don't think there's anything I didn't love about this book. It was simultaneously funny and touching, providing me with the perfect dose of camaraderie and satire in a time when the US' racial strife is enough to leave me feeling defeated. Thurston helped lift my spirits with his apt observations and wit.

I thoroughly enjoyed the fact that the author not only narrated the book, but included recordings of the interviews with the other writers, artists, and comedians he spoke to in order to help write it. The recording of his reading of the essay 13-year-old Baratunde wrote was especially entertaining.

This is one book I will absolutely be purchasing in physical form, giving as gifts when an occasion for presents arises, and insisting others listen to as well.

Uneccessary foul language near the end of the boo.

Though mildly entertaining and informative I cannot recommend the work with a clear conscience because of the unnecessary foul language. otherwise it was just slightly above average in content.

Interesting, but not necessarily entertaining.

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

Not really. I expected to be enlightened. Instead it was just one stereotype after another.

What was one of the most memorable moments of How to Be Black?

I liked the trip to Africa and his reaction.

Have you listened to any of Baratunde Thurston’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

This is the first book from him that I have listened too.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

No.

Hilarious

Hilarious hilarious hilarious. Buy it. Very insightful. I'm glad the author narrates. Appeals to all different kinds and ages of people.

Great listen on audible.

This was smart, funny, and at times tragically accurate about the black experience in America. It is also my favorite narration job ever for an audiobook. It will make you laugh and it will make you think.

Satire to End Racism

What made the experience of listening to How to Be Black the most enjoyable?

Having the novel read by its author with his charismatic personality and comedic timing made for a very amusing stand-up routine type performance.

What did you like best about this story?

One of Thurston's panel of experts commented that satire is essential for addressing sensitive racial issues. This is one of the most important truths that this book reveals. We need to be talking about the discrimination and the stereotyping that is happening to this day. We need to stop rating members of the African American community with scales of blackness. A member of the community should not be looked down upon for befriending other races. The dream that Dr. King had for us is that we could live in a world where we are colorblind. We need to allow all races to pursue happiness in any way they see fit and not tell them what pursuits they should have. Thurston's satire is an effective deliverer of this powerful message.

Which character – as performed by Baratunde Thurston – was your favorite?

Baratunde Thurston

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

How to be Black: Satire to End Racism

Funny but quite serious!

This book was an easy, enjoyable read. While the humor was there, I think the main purpose of this author was encouragement and education. I feel more enlightened and will pursue more books like this. Baratunde did a fantastic job of narrating his book. I particularly liked the taped interviews in the actual voices of those who contributed. Highly recommended if you have any interest in black culture.

A fun lesson in how to get along

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes. I, an aging white man, found it to be really funny yet full of serious and insightful information into interpersonal relations. It is a very positive and constructive guide to getting along with your fellow man.

The performance is outstanding. Only the author could have delivered it this well.

What other book might you compare How to Be Black to and why?

I've never read anything else like it (but I'd like to...).