Review: Black Like Me
Black Like Me
John Howard Griffin
Synopsis: A white man dyes his skin and chronicles his experiences as a Black man in Louisiana and Mississippi during the 1950’s Jim Crow era.
Black Like Me is both fascinating and upsetting in a few different ways. It is a little frustrating because Griffin gained fame and notoriety telling a story that any Black person could have told you, had anyone asked. But, I am also glad that he cared enough to try and find out exactly what the situation was and tried to show the world what life was truly like for Black people in the south. It’s also interesting to see how he “learns the rules” when he has lived his whole life with white privilege, and the ability to do and go where he pleases.
I was rather impressed with Mr. Griffin’s ability to tell this story fairly objectively. His writing is based solely on what he experienced. He also relates both his positive and negative experiences with white people. I’ll be honest, in that region, in that time, I wasn’t expecting there to be a lot of positivity to tell between Black and white people. It is a thoroughly honest recounting. And I didn’t feel like he was boastful or seeking out praise for his efforts, only that he sought to tell a story.
When I first started reading Black Like Me, I was interested to see how much of it would still apply today. What I found was that while certain technicalities have changed, the system of oppression has not evolved nearly as much as some would like to believe. The roots of racism in our country as still alive and well. And while we no longer have signs signifying which bathrooms or water fountains Black people are allowed to use, we still have a long way to go.