Deeply committed to the cause of racial justice and frustrated by his inability as a white man to understand the black experience, griffin decides to take a radical step. Black like me, first published in 1961, is a nonfiction book by white journalist john howard griffin recounting his journey in the deep south of the united states. I first read john griffins book while in high school several decades ago. To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up. Black like me is a moving and troubling book written by an accomplished novelist.
John howard griffin 19201980 is known internationally as the author of two novels, nuni and the devil rides outside, five books and monographs on racism. I decided to reread black like me to see how griffins observations, thoughts and. However, this simple but controversial study of the. In order to find out what it was really like to be a black man in the deep south. Black like me by griffin, john howard and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Griffin expects to find prejudice, oppression, and hardship, but he is shocked at the extent of it. The result was a bestselling book called black like me, which is still regarded as an american.
And then reading about bold strong human beings who did live through them with a bravery one can only marvel at. Black like me, 50 years later john howard griffin gave readers an unflinching view of the jim crow south. John howard griffin gave readers an unflinching view of the jim crow south. The only way i could see to bridge the gap between us was to become a negro, griffin writes. Griffin, john howard, bonazzi, robert, griffin, john. A universal story a scene from black like me, directed by carl lerner, 1964. John howard griffin and the story of black like me. It is so strange reading about times that i did not live through. A summary of analytical overview in john howard griffin s black like me. Perfect for acing essays, tests, and quizzes, as well as for writing lesson plans. O ne day in 1964 john howard griffin, a 44yearold texan. He wrote of his experience in black like me, published in 1961, and the book became a clarion call to many who had previously turned a blind eye to racism in america. Learn exactly what happened in this chapter, scene, or section of black like me and what it means. John howard griffin 19201980 is known internationally as the author of two novels, nuni and the devil rides outside, five books and monographs on racism in addition to black like me, a biography of thomas merton, three collections of photography, a volume of journals, two historical works on texas, a musicological study, and the john howard reader.
Black like me by john howard griffin is a multicultural story set in the south around the late 1950s in first person point of view about john griffin in 1959 in the deep south of the east coast, who is a novelist that decides to get his skin temporarily darkened medically to black. John howard griffin, black like me reading this book made me think. John howard griffin 19201980 is known internationally as the author of two novels, nuni and the devil rides outside, five books and monographs on racism in addition to black like me, a biography of thomas. To find out what it is like to be a negro, griffin changes his skin color to that of a black. Griffin was a native of mansfield, texas, who had his skin temporarily darkened to pass as a black man. John howard griffin, the author and main character of black like me, is a middleaged white man living in mansfield, texas in 1959. The book itself began as a simple research project. Black like me by john howard griffin, paperback barnes. Black like me, first published in 1961, is a nonfiction book by white journalist john howard griffin recounting his journey in the deep south of the united states, at a time when africanamericans lived under racial segregation. An extraordinary man, john howard griffin packed a lot of living into a relatively short life. During his experiences, griffin keeps a journal and that is what this book is. Black like me is a work of non fiction and what a book it is. Updated by griffin, john howard and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Black like me by john howard griffin black like me, essay.
Although john howard griffin was known primarily for black like me and it fully deserves all five. Black like me is a nonfiction book written by john howard griffin about what a black, middleaged man has to go through every day in the deep south. Griffin, john howard, bonazzi, robert, griffin, john howard. A short summary of john howard griffins black like me. The white man who pretended to be black the telegraph.