How Black History Can Save Your Life: From the Talk to George Floyd, Everything You Need to Know to Deescalate a Racist Situation

by Ernest Crim

Black History's Power to Combat RacismHow Black History Can Save Your Life by Ernest Crim III, a hate crime survivor and Anti-Racist Educator, is an essential guide for anyone seeking to combat interpersonal racism, understand the roots of discrimination, and gain actionable strategies through Black historical narratives. This black history book for adults book empowers individuals, parents, and educators with tools to challenge racism and foster equity in their communities.

Using Black history to fight racism. This book builds on Crim's personal experiences, including a viral 2016 hate crime incident that profoundly shaped his career. During a night out, Crim was targeted with racial slurs, but instead of letting it defeat him, he used the situation to highlight the pervasive nature of racism in America. He captured the moment on video, sparking a national conversation about the importance of confronting and addressing discrimination.

Reclaiming the stories of Black history. Crim delves deep into the stories of Black excellence, resistance, and perseverance. He equips families, parents, and educators with the tools they need to combat racism in everyday life and within schools. Through his lens as a parent and former teacher, Crim demonstrates how the untold stories of Black history hold the keys to understanding the roots of racism and how it can be untaught. Drawing on his two bestsellers—Black History Saved My Life and The ABCs of Affirming Black Children—Crim teaches readers how to deconstruct racist systems and foster equitable practices in their communities.

Inside, you'll

Strategies to de-escalate and combat interpersonal racism in everyday situations.Tools for parents and educators to address racism in schools and educate children through an equitable lens.Inspiring Black history stories that provide a blueprint for resilience and empowerment in the face of discrimination. 

If you liked The Color of Law, Stamped from the Beginning, or Seven Sisters and a Brother, you'll love How Black History Can Save Your Life.

Genres: Nonfiction, Audiobook, African American

318 pages, Paperback

Published March 25, 2025

Reviews

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Despite the overwhelming product placement and 75% more words than there needed to be, I am glad I read it.

I was hoping for a wider perspective. What I got was an entirely different lens through which to view the whole history of the world.

This insane time we're living in? That's nothing new. It's how it has always been. So what am I going to do about it?

[Joyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

I needed to read this book; you need to read it too. That said, it has some forgiveable flaws. At times it lacks a clear focus and trajectory. Unless I missed the caveat, the author fails to note not all blacks in America are here as a result of slavery. Thus what he posits as a consequence of that legacy does not follow. There are others but none detract substantially from a very readable and necessary work. Please write more.

[Paula Claunch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic from start to finish. Very important.

[Mari · Rating 5 out of 5]

First off I'm just getting into the book but you can tell it is well written. Coming from an educated and intelligent Black man, Mr. Crim III not only teaches us about the truths of Black History but he's actually dealt with what most of us Blacks, past, present and future, in America only feel, racism. Engrafted in the theme of his work is the personification of what the truth of Black History can do for one's life. Getting active about the knowledge & truths of Black history, even if its in the smallest way, is one of the angles of this book. This is the kind of read I've been searching for. And now it's here!