D. L. Hughley

Even though this book is ostensibly directed to black people, white people really, really need to read this book. It really cuts through a lot of the bullshit excuses that (some) white people make when innocent black people are killed by police. While it has some humor, for the most part it just lays bare how dangerous it is to be an ordinary black person in the US. There are a lot of thought-provoking ideas presented here, and it would do us all well to spend some time considering them, and show more what we all can do to improve race relations. (For example, I had no idea about the third verse of the national anthem. Look it up. I'll never view the anthem in the same light again.)

My only disagreement with Hughley is when he re-defines racism as requiring power. I respectfully disagree. It's simple, racism is prejudice against anyone due to their race. Power is not involved. However, we really need to acknowledge that racism without power is like "They hurt my feelings..." while racism with power can destroy (or end) lives. There is a huge difference. Maybe we need a new word for racism with power... Also, power is not binary, but a continuum; the greater the power, the greater the danger. Unfortunately, right now, there is a lot of institutionalized racism with great power in the US. Sometimes it's disguised as patriotism, but upon closer inspection (such as Hughley provides) its core is revealed, and it's up to all of us to root out this nonsense. Unfortunately, I think this is going to be a never-ending battle... show less

How Not to Get Shot: And Other Advice From White People

I Picked Up This Book Because: Curiosity

The Book:

I’ve had a very difficult time writing this review. All I can think clearly is that this book made me feel. Injustice, sadness, anger, amusement, righteousness, indignant, low self esteem. I wish this was a book that didn’t need to be written. That we could just flip a switch and people would see that we are all made of the same things. Unfortunately that is not the world we live show more in.

Since I don’t want to leave this review on a negative note. I’ll say DL did a great job injecting humor into a topic that is inherently humorless. I hope many people read/listen to his words and it makes them think about their own character and how things can change in the world.

The Random Thoughts:

The Score Card:

3.75 Stars show less

I was all set to give this funny, serious little book 5 stars for Hughley’s ability to use humor to explain racism. He bluntly explains how some of the things white people, and black people take for granted are just not seen by the other side. He got the idea for the book after an interview with the everybody’s best racist friend Megan Kelly in which she stated that if black people just complied with the requests of police officers they wouldn’t get shot. Then he goes on to show that show more compliance must be quick but not too quick and is best done retroactively before the officer even asks, referring to the John Crawford shot in WalMart white carrying a beebee gun that he intended to purchase. Had he only thought before hand he would have complied with the officer by not trying to purchase a beebee gun while black in the first place. He describes the Bill of Rights and how it doesn’t really apply to black people: Sandra Bland didn’t have freedom of speech because she spoke in a surly manner to police and ended up dead. Philando Castile didn’t have second amendment rights as he sat in a car with his girlfriend and daughter. He gives very good advice on what kind of car to drive -a nice but not too nice one in good repair, especially one with plates front and back and no burnt out lights. He states black people should dress like the least memorable white person they can think of because they should be as close to invisible as possible. It goes without saying that safety also involves playing safe, e.g. white music and playing it at low volume. The book all goes so well until he gets to gays. Alas, D. L. Hughley still has a problem with gay people, which makes me very sad. I can’t understand how such a brilliant and funny mind still can’t grasp that gay people are still people. So aside from this failing I recommend anyone who can laugh with anger at racism read this book. show less

I listened to the audiobook, which was read by the author. This was great satire that exposed the flaw in the logic you often hear from white commentators after the death of a person of color at the hands of a police officer. Hughley takes real quotes and shows how wrong they are when you look at the facts of what is happening. He also discusses other issues involving racism in America. It is delivered like his stand up routine so be ready for harsh language (he uses the "F" word and "N" show more words liberally). It is a great read/listen for white people to see the issues from a different perspective. Unfortunately, I am afraid he is preaching to the choir. Those that need to hear his message probably aren't the ones choosing this book. On the other hand, it does give me some tools and facts to use that I can use to be a better ally. show less