How to deconstruct racism, one headline at a time | Baratunde Thurston

How to Be Black is a memoir by Baratunde Thurston that combines humor and serious commentary to explore the complexities of being black in America. The book chronicles Thurston's life from his childhood in Washington, D.C. , raised by an Afrocentric single mother, to his education at Sidwell Friends School and Harvard University. It includes satirical 'lessons' such as 'How to Be the Black Friend' and 'How to Speak for All Black People,' as well as interviews with a diverse panel of black experts. Thurston tackles issues like racial stereotypes, discrimination, and the internal conflicts within the black community, emphasizing the importance of self-identity and cross-racial friendships. The book is designed to educate readers on the realities of black culture and to encourage black people to be themselves without conforming to societal expectations.