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

Best listen ever

Which scene was your favorite?

I love the chapter on how to be a good black employee!! This is a great perspective to share with others that work in a corporate setting.

Yes!

Baratunde delivers this book so well. There were moments where I laughed so hard that I cried (in public). Please read!

Not for the Sensitive or Self righteous

So good. Loved it. Teaches how to be real and not overly cautious of race or political correctness.

Thanks for this

Wonderfully funny and inciting. Best part was the diversity committee section. Been there, so I totally related.

Incisive and hilarious

I am in Baratunde Thurston’s debt for his setting me straight on things I thought I knew about. Good hearted in the most merciless of ways, he and his friends have been delightful companions… and voices for revolutionary sanity.

A humorous reflection on how-to-be-black

Would you listen to How to Be Black again? Why?

The book is well-organized into socially relevant sections. Each is dealt with by including fact, personal experience and a diverting array of "Black Experts." The audience is dealt with much in the way a stand up comic addresses the audience: even when you, the listener, are not the subject of discussion, the discussion entertains you.

What did you like best about this story?

I've been somewhat familiar with Mr. Thurston from other digital venues, so was glad to learn more details about his past and perspective.

What does Baratunde Thurston bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

He's an excellent reader. In general, when an author is a good reader, I want him to perform his book. That way I know the emphasis is properly placed. In the section where he reads a seriously-angry-black-teen speech he wrote (as a teen), he reads it with his adult tongue firmly in cheek.

Any additional comments?

In the end, it's lighthearted; no a book you'd go to for detailed social or political history. (He works for The Onion, for crying out loud!) Still, if everyone in the US could adopt the spirit of the book when addressing our divisive, complicated racial history, we'd be better able to share our disappointments and applaud our progress together.
It's an easy listen, a fun listen. Though I don't personally re-listen to books, if I walked into a room where it was playing, I'd definitely listen--and smile--again.

Mildly funny

Is there anything you would change about this book?

Probably less political pandering and more actual humor.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

His personal stories were probably the least interesting. I personally wanted more humorous commentary not his life story. I felt his strongest part was when he interviewed others about their own personal experiences.

Would you listen to another book narrated by Baratunde Thurston?

Maybe. But only if it deals more with humor instead of political commentary.

Do you think How to Be Black needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

A book dedicated to more interviews with his friends would definitely be interesting. I find that each individual views was intriguing. I probably would like a larger sample with more humorous questions.

Any additional comments?

As a Asian American of the same age to the author with almost opposite beliefs and experiences, I found it hard to like this book due to his "progressive beliefs". Personally I didn't find it too funny. I felt he could have done less on his own personal life story and more humorous question fielded to the panel. I guess I wanted something more like "Stuff White People Like". But I won't fault him. This book just wasn't for me. I would give it 3 stars because it was entertaining enough. And I thought he presented it very well and I liked his voice and the fact he able to get others to speak. He definitely gave a good vocal performance.

Funny. Enlightening. Inspiring.

Most audiobooks are read. This one was performed. Brilliantly. While I am (and always will be) a white dude trying to understand the experiences of people of color, I think I felt a little black listening to this book. As much black as a white dude probably can. 👍🏿👍🏿

Funny and poignant. The "How to be a black employee" section hit especially hard.

Solid book from one of the funniest and best thinkers today. Baratunde Thurston has done it again!

Awesome

bravo! This was a great book I loved it everyone must buy it. Awesome read