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Black Like Me

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Black Like Me

By: John Howard Griffin
Narrated by: Ray Childs
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About this listen

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 African American Studies Americas Anthropology Cultural & Regional Social Sciences Specific Demographics United States

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)
All stars
Most relevant  
The book is completely absorbing, the moment in time is described so well simply from his journals. the epilogues are also a must listen.

Wish I'd known about this book years ago

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Very interesting. This can be viewed in light of the recent protests with the BLM movement. It also poses one question to me "How much have things changed in 61 years & is there any real impetus for change?"

An experiment for our time

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Read the hard cover about 40 years ago. A very confronting book. A great experience.

Great book

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If you could sum up Black Like Me in three words, what would they be?

Very important book

Who was your favorite character and why?

The shoe shiner. He was one of the few that got what it was all about.

Have you listened to any of Ray Childs’s other performances? How does this one compare?

No.. But this one was great. Very easy to listen to.

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

Yea.. Was very good.

Any additional comments?

Every person should read this to see how to avoid perpetuating racial issues that have no rational reason to exist. It also shows me that fighting hate from the whites with hate, just makes every one evil. Jesus' way of doing good to those who use you and hurt you, is clearly the only way this kind of thing can be fixed entirely.

Helps you understand why America is the way it is

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In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.