How To Be Black

Résumé du livre

Baratunde Thurston is a Harvard University graduate, a communications expert, comedian and popular public speaker. Formerly a writer for The Onion, he now blogs for Cultivated Wit and can be followed on Twitter: @baratunde.

Baratunde’s journey through school and early adulthood highlights the complexities of navigating identity, race, and belonging. From the daily challenges of having his name mispronounced to the cultural tensions it evoked, his experiences reflect the layered dynamics of being a black student in predominantly white spaces. At Sidwell, the black students’ lunchtime gatherings fostered solidarity but unsettled their white peers, exposing a lack of understanding about the need for representation. In the workplace, Baratunde encountered both camaraderie and competition among black colleagues, alongside the burden of being seen as a spokesperson for his race by white coworkers. His striking afro during school years became a symbol of identity but also a source of intrusive curiosity, prompting him to educate others on respect and boundaries. Despite these challenges, Baratunde found ways to bridge gaps, seeing his role as a “black friend” to white individuals as an opportunity to foster understanding. His transition to Harvard brought initial apprehension, shaped by Boston’s fraught racial history, but the support of his black roommate and their shared efforts to navigate financial pressures created a sense of belonging. Through it all, Baratunde’s resilience and humor underscore his ability to thrive while addressing the broader societal misconceptions surrounding race and identity.

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