46 pages • 1 hour read
Black Like Me
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Book Brief
208
Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction
Southern United States • 1950s
1961
Berkley
Adult
14+ years
Super Short Summary
In Black Like Me, John Howard Griffin, a white man, darkens his skin and lives as a Black man in the deep South in 1959 to document the realities of racial segregation. Griffin faces discrimination, hostility, and the daily struggles Black individuals endure to meet basic needs. He records these experiences to foster understanding and bridge racial gaps, gaining worldwide attention for his pioneering sociological study. The book contains references to racial violence, including lynching.
Informative
Challenging
Dark
Unnerving
Contemplative
Reviews & Readership
69,530 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Black Like Me by John Howard Griffin, a compelling exploration of racial divides, receives praise for its raw and courageous narrative. Critics commend Griffin's immersive journalism and poignant prose. However, some challenge the depth of his perspective and the ethics of his methods. Overall, it remains a thought-provoking and influential work on race.
Who Should Read Black Like Me?
A reader who would enjoy Black Like Me by John Howard Griffin is likely interested in civil rights, social justice, and racial issues. They might also appreciate The Autobiography of Malcolm X and To Kill a Mockingbird, as these books similarly address racism and provide profound social commentary.
69,530 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Black Like Me was published in 1961 and is renowned for its pioneering social experiment in which John Howard Griffin darkened his skin to experience life as a Black man in the racially segregated American South.
The book became a bestseller and sparked national conversations on race, leading to Griffin receiving numerous death threats and forcing him to move to Mexico for a period of time for safety.
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John Howard Griffin collaborated with medical professionals to alter his skin color, using medication and UV light treatments to achieve the transformation depicted in Black Like Me.
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208
Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction
Southern United States • 1950s
1961
Berkley
Adult
14+ years
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