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HONORARY WHITE
Acclaimed author E. R. Braithwaite ( To Sir, With Love ) chronicles the brutality, oppression, and courage he witnessed as a black man granted “Honorary White” status during a six-week visit to apartheid South AfricaAs a black man living in a white-dominated world, author E. R. Braithwaite was painfully aware of the multitude of injustices suffered by people of color and he wrote powerfully and poignantly about racial discrimination in his acclaimed novels and nonfiction works. So it came as a complete surprise when, in 1973, the longstanding ban on his books was lifted by the South African government, a ruling body of minority whites that brutally oppressed the black majority through apartheid laws. Applying for a visa—and secretly hoping to be refused—he was granted the official status of “Honorary White” for the length of his stay. As such, Braithwaite would be afforded some of the freedoms that South Africa’s black population was denied, yet would nonetheless be considered inferior by the white establishment.With Honorary White , Braithwaite bears witness to a dark and troubling time, relating with grave honesty and power the shocking abuses, inequities, and horrors he observed and experienced firsthand during his six-week stay in a criminal nation. His book is a personal testament to the savagery of apartheid and to the courage of those who refused to be broken by it.
190 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1975
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About the author
E.R. Braithwaite
22 books102 followersE.R. (Edward Ricardo) Braithwaite was a novelist, writer, teacher, and diplomat, best known for his stories of social conditions and racial discrimination against black people.
An alumnus of Queens College, Braithwaite excelled at City University of New York, after which he served in the RAF during WWII as a fighter pilot (1941-45) and then went on to receive an advanced degree in Physics from Cambridge University (1949). Braithwaite also attended the University of London.
Unable to establish a career in physics, his chosen field, which he attributed to his status as an ethnic minority, Braithwaite turned to teaching.
Braithwaite was perhaps best known as an author for his autobiographical novel To Sir With Love set in an east London secondary school, later directed, produced and adapted for the screen by james clavell starring Sidney Poitier as a schoolteacher from British Guiana.
Braithwaite gave up teaching and continued writing, during this time he became a social worker with the London County Council working to provide foster care for black children.
He would later describe these challenging experiences in Paid Servant.
Braithwaite's long and exemplary career took him to UNESCO in Paris as an educational consultant and lecturer (1963-1966). Then he served as a Guyanese ambassador in the late sixties. First as Guyanese Ambassador to the United Nations (1967-68), then as Guyanese Ambassador to Venezuela (1968-69). He was World Veterans' Foundation Human Rights Officer, Paris (1960-63).
Braithwaite returned to teaching as a professor of English, at New York University and later in 2002 held the position of Writer in Residence at Howard University in Washington DC.
Braithwaite was a visiting professor at Manchester Community College, Connecticut, during the 2005-2006 school year, also serving as commencement speaker and receiving an honorary degree.
In August 2007 Braithwaite received the Guyana Cultural Association of New York's Exemplary Award for his work as an educator, a diplomat and an author.
An alumnus of Queens College, Braithwaite excelled at City University of New York, after which he served in the RAF during WWII as a fighter pilot (1941-45) and then went on to receive an advanced degree in Physics from Cambridge University (1949). Braithwaite also attended the University of London.
Unable to establish a career in physics, his chosen field, which he attributed to his status as an ethnic minority, Braithwaite turned to teaching.
Braithwaite was perhaps best known as an author for his autobiographical novel To Sir With Love set in an east London secondary school, later directed, produced and adapted for the screen by james clavell starring Sidney Poitier as a schoolteacher from British Guiana.
Braithwaite gave up teaching and continued writing, during this time he became a social worker with the London County Council working to provide foster care for black children.
He would later describe these challenging experiences in Paid Servant.
Braithwaite's long and exemplary career took him to UNESCO in Paris as an educational consultant and lecturer (1963-1966). Then he served as a Guyanese ambassador in the late sixties. First as Guyanese Ambassador to the United Nations (1967-68), then as Guyanese Ambassador to Venezuela (1968-69). He was World Veterans' Foundation Human Rights Officer, Paris (1960-63).
Braithwaite returned to teaching as a professor of English, at New York University and later in 2002 held the position of Writer in Residence at Howard University in Washington DC.
Braithwaite was a visiting professor at Manchester Community College, Connecticut, during the 2005-2006 school year, also serving as commencement speaker and receiving an honorary degree.
In August 2007 Braithwaite received the Guyana Cultural Association of New York's Exemplary Award for his work as an educator, a diplomat and an author.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
February 11, 2017
This is the most thorough portrait of apartheid South Africa that I've seen. Braithwaite contacted Blacks, Whites and Indians who seemed to be a cross-section of society at the time. He visited a number of different South African cities as well as Soweto and Transkei.
I learned a bit about Guyana, Braithwaite's home country, when I researched Cheddi Jagan, who was mentioned in this book. I also became interested in his wife, Janet Jagan.
I expect that this is going to be the best non-fiction book I read in 2016.
I learned a bit about Guyana, Braithwaite's home country, when I researched Cheddi Jagan, who was mentioned in this book. I also became interested in his wife, Janet Jagan.
I expect that this is going to be the best non-fiction book I read in 2016.
Read
May 26, 2013Love the work of ER Braithwaite. Very candid perception of Apartheid South Africa. Just goes on to show the frailty of man to end up coming with the most ludicrous concept of separation by virtue of the color of the skin. How more stupid can we get?
September 19, 2019
This book made me extremely upset, sad, exhausted and melancholy, in that order.
March 12, 2024
One of the most important non-fictions works of the 1970s Honorary White delves into the abuse and corruption of South African society as E.R. Braithwaite visits the country following the unbanning of his novels. Braithwaite's open and insightful attention to detail allows for a riveting narrative that brings you straight into the horrors of an apartheid country. From the massive black slums that surround Johannesburg and Cape Town to the bourgeoisie dinner parties of the leaders of the National Party, no aspect of society goes unchecked. Yet Braithwaite is also willing to examine himself and see the ways in which he benefits from even being in South Africa having the title of "honorary white" and having privileges in which non-white South Africans can only dream of. One of the greatest memoirs ever written, it's a shame that it has such little attention considering the brilliant way it tackles the systemic issues of colonialism that still plague our society today.
5/5 stars *****
5/5 stars *****
April 21, 2021
Amazing!
Well written book. Descriptions of life under apartheid were so vivid. Too vivid at times causing me to put book down. Difficult to read (could not imagine living under fear described). Good to see change has come to S Africa. Sadly situations described exist today in other parts of the world. Will look for author's other books.
Well written book. Descriptions of life under apartheid were so vivid. Too vivid at times causing me to put book down. Difficult to read (could not imagine living under fear described). Good to see change has come to S Africa. Sadly situations described exist today in other parts of the world. Will look for author's other books.
October 1, 2018
The author does a great job of helping the reader understand a black man in apartheid South Africa. I had no idea.
November 16, 2020
A perceptive, poignant, and incisive account of the torsions of power and horror at work in systems of programmatic racism.
Not an easy read, but well worth the time.
Not an easy read, but well worth the time.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews