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Dear White People: A Guide to Inter-Racial Harmony in "Post-Racial" America
*Now a Netflix Original Series* In the satirical tradition of the New York Times bestseller Stuff White People Like comes this witty companion book to the “incredibly entertaining” (Indiewire) film of the same name, which “heralds a fresh and funny new voice” (Variety).Right out of college, Justin Simien wrote a screenplay about the nuanced experiences of four black students on a predominantly white college campus. The film, Dear White People, garnered a Sundance Award for “Breakthrough Talent” and has been hailed by critics everywhere. Channeling the sensibility of the film into this book, Simien will keep you laughing with his humorous observations, even if you haven’t seen the satiric film. News Flash—the minimum number of black friends needed to not seem racist has just been raised to two. Rather than panic, readers are advised to purchase a copy of Dear White People. Whether you are a dear white person wondering why your black office mate is avoiding eye contact with you after you ran your fingers through her hair, or you’re a black nerd who has to break it to your white friends that you’ve never seen The Wire, this myth-busting, stereotype-diffusing guide to a post-Obama world has something for you! With decision-making trees to help you decide when it’s the right time to wear Blackface ( probably never) and quizzes to determine whether you’ve become the Token Black Friend™, Dear White People is the ultimate silly-yet-authoritative handbook to help the curious and confused navigate racial microaggressions in their daily lives. Based on the eponymous, award-winning film, which has been lauded as “a smart, hilarious satire,” this tongue-in-cheek guide is a must-have that anybody who is in semi-regular contact with black people can’t afford to miss!
158 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 30, 2014
60 people are currently reading
2819 people want to read
About the author
Justin Simien
2 books13 followersJustin Simien is an American filmmaker, actor, and author. His first feature film, Dear White People, won the U.S. Dramatic Special Jury Award for Breakthrough Talent at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival. Simien has also been named to Variety's 2013 "10 Directors to Watch" list.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 188 reviews
June 1, 2015
I know that this book goes on about how white people find it hard to resist touching black people's hair even when they are strangers and I do understand. Some black people have amazingly cloud-soft hair that your fingers can get lost in it feels so nice. One of my sons has hair like that. He's grown up now, but very tolerant of my foibles. I wouldn't finger strangers' hair of course. Unless they are babies then I do.
Little black babies are so pretty and usually have lots of very soft hair.If one is brought into my shop or I see a mother with one in the supermarket I sometimes go up and ask if I can have a hold. That's nice, a cwtch with a baby, a nice stroke of the hair, try and make it smile, play with its toes if it doesn't have shoesies on. If the baby is sleeping I will just lean in and stroke the baby's hair and tell the mother what a pretty baby she has.
I have a feeling that this behaviour would not be acceptable in the US or UK but it's fine here. Anyway, when my youngest was a baby he had gorgeous golden ringlets and I can't say any black people seemed to hold back from wanting to touch them. So if they didn't why should I? Not to mention that most of the babies who I get close to don't hold back on reaching for my red ringlets and not in a gentle, caressing way either.
I had to take my son away from the nearest childcare place which was about 25 yards from the shop because every day he would come home with his golden curls braided or cornrowed or with little beads in, everyone seemed to play with it. The problem was taking it out, he didn't like it at all. At that time he was too young to express himself properly in any but the traditional way. Long and loud. We sent him to another place, further away but they had more white kids so they weren't all about having to touch his hair. See it goes both ways.
Actually playing with other people's children here is generally fine. They often come bowling at full speed into the shop and launch themselves at my legs for a big hug. Black and white children alike, no-one is that fussy around here about strangers playing with their children, we all share. There is this African proverb, it takes a whole village to raise a child. I'm not sure how deeply that is taken to heart any more, but Bob Marley's share the love certainly is.
Looking forward to this book.
*I corrected a word 16 May 2015. I did not send it to the feed. If it appears in yours it is a GR bug.
Little black babies are so pretty and usually have lots of very soft hair.If one is brought into my shop or I see a mother with one in the supermarket I sometimes go up and ask if I can have a hold. That's nice, a cwtch with a baby, a nice stroke of the hair, try and make it smile, play with its toes if it doesn't have shoesies on. If the baby is sleeping I will just lean in and stroke the baby's hair and tell the mother what a pretty baby she has.
I have a feeling that this behaviour would not be acceptable in the US or UK but it's fine here. Anyway, when my youngest was a baby he had gorgeous golden ringlets and I can't say any black people seemed to hold back from wanting to touch them. So if they didn't why should I? Not to mention that most of the babies who I get close to don't hold back on reaching for my red ringlets and not in a gentle, caressing way either.
I had to take my son away from the nearest childcare place which was about 25 yards from the shop because every day he would come home with his golden curls braided or cornrowed or with little beads in, everyone seemed to play with it. The problem was taking it out, he didn't like it at all. At that time he was too young to express himself properly in any but the traditional way. Long and loud. We sent him to another place, further away but they had more white kids so they weren't all about having to touch his hair. See it goes both ways.
Actually playing with other people's children here is generally fine. They often come bowling at full speed into the shop and launch themselves at my legs for a big hug. Black and white children alike, no-one is that fussy around here about strangers playing with their children, we all share. There is this African proverb, it takes a whole village to raise a child. I'm not sure how deeply that is taken to heart any more, but Bob Marley's share the love certainly is.
Looking forward to this book.
*I corrected a word 16 May 2015. I did not send it to the feed. If it appears in yours it is a GR bug.
December 28, 2014
This is a short and laugh-out-loud funny book about race in America, complete with goofy illustrations and quizzes. And let’s face it, we white Americans do need a guide to how not to make asses of ourselves. My personal rule of thumb is: don’t mention race, except to 1) describe a person (if you’ve noted their height, hairstyle and dress, you are also aware of their coloring) or 2) acknowledge that racism exists (otherwise, you are making an ass of yourself).
However, as Dear White People makes clear, my rule of thumb does not cover all situations. You might still go around sticking your fingers in black people’s hair, and pointing out to black shoppers that the merchandise they are looking at is expensive. (WTF? Who does these things?) If you are one of these people, you’re sure to benefit from Simien’s comically exaggerated advice (“the next time you see a black person, ask them a non-black-specific question”). If (hopefully!) you are not one of those people, you still get to raise your awareness, while laughing a lot. And if it also makes you reflect on how you can better handle thorny situations and avoid inadvertently offending the people around you, that’s pretty good for a book you can read in no time at all. Really, there’s no downside here.
Note: the only connection between this book and the movie of the same name is that they were created by the same person. It’s purely an op-ed book, but for once I mean that in the positive sense, because it doesn’t pretend to be anything else.
However, as Dear White People makes clear, my rule of thumb does not cover all situations. You might still go around sticking your fingers in black people’s hair, and pointing out to black shoppers that the merchandise they are looking at is expensive. (WTF? Who does these things?) If you are one of these people, you’re sure to benefit from Simien’s comically exaggerated advice (“the next time you see a black person, ask them a non-black-specific question”). If (hopefully!) you are not one of those people, you still get to raise your awareness, while laughing a lot. And if it also makes you reflect on how you can better handle thorny situations and avoid inadvertently offending the people around you, that’s pretty good for a book you can read in no time at all. Really, there’s no downside here.
Note: the only connection between this book and the movie of the same name is that they were created by the same person. It’s purely an op-ed book, but for once I mean that in the positive sense, because it doesn’t pretend to be anything else.
October 24, 2015
This was a great book! Very eye-opening and funny!
February 17, 2015
Dear White People,
Stop saying, "ugh, this Target is so ghetto." For further explanation, please read this book. Thank you and you are welcome.
With love,
Your Friend Who Knows You Don't Mean It In Your Heart But Sometimes I Just Can't With You
Stop saying, "ugh, this Target is so ghetto." For further explanation, please read this book. Thank you and you are welcome.
With love,
Your Friend Who Knows You Don't Mean It In Your Heart But Sometimes I Just Can't With You
November 11, 2014
I got this book from the library yesterday. It's quite small and I couldn't put it down until I finished it this morning. Funny, insightful, funny, thought provoking, funny, clever, funny....well you get the gist.
The most accurate portrayal of post-racial, race in America myths I've ever come across to date. Did I mention it's FUNNY?!!!!!!!!
The most accurate portrayal of post-racial, race in America myths I've ever come across to date. Did I mention it's FUNNY?!!!!!!!!
December 7, 2014
Justin Simien’s slender volume comes after Simien’s film of the same name; however, while the film is a fictional vehicle for demonstrating the everyday, exasperating indignities suffered by African Americans, often at the hands of well-meaning but clueless white people, Dear White People: A Guide to Inter-Racial Harmony in “Post-Racial” America is a collection of satirical observations about society in the mythical post-racial era declared by media pundits at the 2008 election of President Barack Obama.
Dear White People is not quite as funny or as expansive as How to Be Black, in which author Baratunde R. Thurston waxes hilarious on the ridiculous expectations of the media and everyday people when it comes to black people — but it’s close. (Simien includes a shoutout to Thurston in his acknowledgements at the end.)
This quick read packs quite a few laugh-out loud moments. The chapter on white people’s irresistible desire to finger black hair is worth the price of this book alone! I thought I’d die laughing! Then I thought I’d died of embarrassment at the thought that someone would think that pawing perfect strangers’ hair would be acceptable. The Infographics “The N-World: A Decision Tree” and “Should You Wear Blackface? A Decision Tree” were thought-provoking as well as humorous. And the chapter on reality television as the new minstrel show would not be out of place in a with-it college course. Definitely recommended.
Dear White People is not quite as funny or as expansive as How to Be Black, in which author Baratunde R. Thurston waxes hilarious on the ridiculous expectations of the media and everyday people when it comes to black people — but it’s close. (Simien includes a shoutout to Thurston in his acknowledgements at the end.)
This quick read packs quite a few laugh-out loud moments. The chapter on white people’s irresistible desire to finger black hair is worth the price of this book alone! I thought I’d die laughing! Then I thought I’d died of embarrassment at the thought that someone would think that pawing perfect strangers’ hair would be acceptable. The Infographics “The N-World: A Decision Tree” and “Should You Wear Blackface? A Decision Tree” were thought-provoking as well as humorous. And the chapter on reality television as the new minstrel show would not be out of place in a with-it college course. Definitely recommended.
March 13, 2017
Really enjoyable. Light reading in a way because it's funny, but also heavy with the weight of institutionalized and systematic racism. I would really like to see Justin Simien's film for this because he's a funny and smart guy. I would recommend this especially to white millennials because the sense of humor and most of the references are from our generation and slightly above, and we have the power to fix this problem.
July 17, 2020
This book is honest, thought-provoking, and funny. Recommend.
August 15, 2015
This is an hysterical commentary on the current relationship between blacks and whites. A good read for everyone. Caution: you may feel uncomfortable when you recognize yourself here. Well, I know I did.
November 14, 2014
So good. Meeting the author beforehand only solidified my love of this one.
June 28, 2015
Quick Witted
Justin Simien’s “Dear White People” is an ‘in your face’ with a load of humor on the side sort of perspective on racism in America. It addresses specific elements of racism and stereotypes that are commonly discussed amongst black people. The purpose of this piece is to make people in general aware that racism is still alive and well in America. It mainly focuses on the behaviors of white people and their ideas about what it means to be black and how they relate to blacks. There are also a few words of debatable wisdom to black people as well. It is filled with humorous illustrations and quizzes geared toward aiding both whites and blacks to be more aware of what type of person they are based on their responses towards the opposite groups. It is meant to be a lesson for Caucasians on how to successfully navigate the cultural divide and to become enlightened on the humanity of the African American race.
Though it was written with an ample dose of humor, much of it is thought provoking and yes, debatable.
This book is right on time as we witness racial tensions increase daily. The author is clever and has created a conversation piece for any get together.
Reviewed by: Trenika
3.5 stars
Justin Simien’s “Dear White People” is an ‘in your face’ with a load of humor on the side sort of perspective on racism in America. It addresses specific elements of racism and stereotypes that are commonly discussed amongst black people. The purpose of this piece is to make people in general aware that racism is still alive and well in America. It mainly focuses on the behaviors of white people and their ideas about what it means to be black and how they relate to blacks. There are also a few words of debatable wisdom to black people as well. It is filled with humorous illustrations and quizzes geared toward aiding both whites and blacks to be more aware of what type of person they are based on their responses towards the opposite groups. It is meant to be a lesson for Caucasians on how to successfully navigate the cultural divide and to become enlightened on the humanity of the African American race.
Though it was written with an ample dose of humor, much of it is thought provoking and yes, debatable.
This book is right on time as we witness racial tensions increase daily. The author is clever and has created a conversation piece for any get together.
Reviewed by: Trenika
3.5 stars
October 4, 2016
SIX WORD REVIEW: Wanna know about race in America?
July 29, 2015
The day I finally sat down and read Justin Simien's book "Dear White People A Guide To Inter-Racial Harmony In "Post-Racial America" I wasn't prepared to be enlightened, amused and surprised by something as ubiquitous as racism and prejudice. As an African-American female, who's been on the receiving end of quite a bit of prejudice and misunderstandings from uneducated others, the book gave me valuable insights into why the phenomenon exists.
While studying the way Simien described various stereotypes and issues I laughed out loud at some that I'm guilty of, which join my penchant for habits, trends and preferences picked up from other races I've been exposed to. For instance, even though I've been tap dancing for over 10 years now, and love it, I've also taken classes in ballet, modern and improvisational, belly dancing and ballroom dancing and love those too. Even though I would love to own some of the clothes the character "Cookie" wears on "Empire" I also covet the gorgeous vintage wardrobe worn by "Lady Mary" on "Downton Abbey" and Issey Miyake's designs for "Totokaelo".
Among Simien's more profound comments were two that stuck with me, about "black people being recognized in all of their complexity," and "being allowed to evolve in the quest to figure out who we are." I really liked what he said in the "Black Myth Busters Dancing" section too, because I also feel becoming an excellent dancer has to do with upbringing more than race. If you grew up listening to Motown and disco and your parents had house parties practically every weekend, like mine did, then you can't help learning how to dance from those around you, but if you didn't grow up with those influences then you might not learn, unless you're lucky enough to be someone like Debbie Reynolds in "Singin' In The Rain" and have Gene Kelly teach you all about tap.
Printed on heavy paper, and interspersed with eye-catching illustrations, "Dear White People" is a surprisingly smart book filled with unforgettable witticisms and advice for all races regardless of where they exist within our "Post-Racist" world.
While studying the way Simien described various stereotypes and issues I laughed out loud at some that I'm guilty of, which join my penchant for habits, trends and preferences picked up from other races I've been exposed to. For instance, even though I've been tap dancing for over 10 years now, and love it, I've also taken classes in ballet, modern and improvisational, belly dancing and ballroom dancing and love those too. Even though I would love to own some of the clothes the character "Cookie" wears on "Empire" I also covet the gorgeous vintage wardrobe worn by "Lady Mary" on "Downton Abbey" and Issey Miyake's designs for "Totokaelo".
Among Simien's more profound comments were two that stuck with me, about "black people being recognized in all of their complexity," and "being allowed to evolve in the quest to figure out who we are." I really liked what he said in the "Black Myth Busters Dancing" section too, because I also feel becoming an excellent dancer has to do with upbringing more than race. If you grew up listening to Motown and disco and your parents had house parties practically every weekend, like mine did, then you can't help learning how to dance from those around you, but if you didn't grow up with those influences then you might not learn, unless you're lucky enough to be someone like Debbie Reynolds in "Singin' In The Rain" and have Gene Kelly teach you all about tap.
Printed on heavy paper, and interspersed with eye-catching illustrations, "Dear White People" is a surprisingly smart book filled with unforgettable witticisms and advice for all races regardless of where they exist within our "Post-Racist" world.
January 1, 2020
I consider myself relatively enlightened for a white ally and I definitely benefited from reading this. There were sections I hadn't heard or thought about before, so I appreciate the author very much for them. I recommend this!
January 4, 2015
It was good, amusing, but fairly basic information. I want to see the movie he made.
June 27, 2017
I loved how this book was set up. It's good writing, making good social commentary, while keeping a sense of humor. And the last essay is fantastic.
February 12, 2015
I completely and totally love this book, it was satire at its finest. It made me laugh, it made me think, it made me really look at my relationship with my friends, who are of a photo negative. All the while everything that was brought up in the book at some point in my life I have experience and I even took the paper bag test I got D and it was an amazing read and I didn't want to put it down but because I have homework I had to. It also brought up so thongs that I had never really thought about esp. In the last chapter. The book was a great read
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February 18, 2016This was hilarious. Now to most the title may be off-putting! The author warns the read if he/she is Caucasian! Btw, I have not seen the movie and I will check it out soon! The chapter I recommend you read is the 'Twerking' chapter or society would call it the Miley Cyrus phenomenon. Which brings me to this point. In the world of cultural appropriation, it's like writing a term paper in college. Be aware of the sources used or you will risk plagiarism. I know we African Americans do not have a patent on 'twerking' which is mentioned in the book.
September 12, 2021
Thought this was funny, but sometimes, maybe, its humor got in the way of the message (in that sometimes I didn't know if he was being serious or sarcastic). Also, didn't agree with some sentiments and yeah, I know I'm not black, so maybe that means that my opinion is not relevant, but that's how I felt. Sorry, Justin, I do think Micheal Jackson did fucked up things to kids, I don't think that makes me racist. But I did agree with most of the things said, so there is that.
July 8, 2015
I really enjoyed this book. It was the perfect blend of truth and humor. From the big No-No of randomly touching black people's hair (how come this is still a problem, I do not understand) to not watching Jungle Fever at the beginning of your new interracial relationship, this book had me laughing out loud...literally.
January 16, 2016
Very funny. A laugh-out-loud read that is your basic introduction to "no, honey, what you said was totes racist" for ignorant AF white people. I'll admit I learned a few things and this gave me a great opportunity to reexamine some bad habits. A humorous quick read that should definitely be passed around the office, especially to those who thinks it's fine to ask "can I touch your hair?"
July 7, 2018
Really funny, easy to read, thought-provoking. I appreciated that the author addressed that in the introduction: if he wrote a more nuanced and thorough book, everyone would feel like they were "supposed" to read it but never get around to doing so. I read this in a single sitting and still managed to learn plenty of things, so I think he was pretty successful.
June 7, 2020
A funny little book about race in America. Not sure who the target for this. Someone who would be likely to pick this up is probably "woke" enough to know not to touch a black person's hair without asking but Simien sprinkles a lot of humour throughout so it never really drags on.
February 9, 2015
Witty reminders for those of us with privilege oozing out our pores.
February 9, 2015
A++++++++. A crucial read in this era.
June 25, 2015
I have a whole list of people who need a copy of this. It's funny, sarcastic, truthful, and would probably be very educational for a few white people I know ;)
May 30, 2019
This book is very well designed and eye catching. It's quite accessible compared to similar books on the topic that tend towards taking a more academic approach. My concern with the book is that it was only published 5 years ago, and is already becoming out of date in a few different ways. It tackles the post-racism myth prevalent in the Obama era- I'm not sure how many people familiar with Trump's America could believe in the lie of post-racism. It has a chapter about 'standing firm in your love for Michael Jackson', claiming the allegations against him to be institutionalized racism. I wonder if the author still believes that, considering all the has come to light in recent years.
I already knew that I have no right to say the n word and there will never be a good reason for me to wear black face, I didn't need the convincing. I still appreciate this book and the struggles it describes and I'm glad I took the time to hold space for these issues and be mindful of the microaggressions black people suffer through that my privilege prevents me from experiencing myself.
I already knew that I have no right to say the n word and there will never be a good reason for me to wear black face, I didn't need the convincing. I still appreciate this book and the struggles it describes and I'm glad I took the time to hold space for these issues and be mindful of the microaggressions black people suffer through that my privilege prevents me from experiencing myself.
June 9, 2020
It doesn't matter if you are a fan of the movie or the show, you need no context from those to enjoy this satirical book, mainly because it has nothing to do with the stories of those. Dear White People, the book, is a series of essays, ranging from 'Don't touch Black People's Hair FFS' (I'm paraphrasing) to the personal perils of being the only Black friend in a group. It is funny, insightful, and is illustrated with stuff like quizzes, posters, algorithmic charts, etc. As a non-American PoC, I'm probably not the target audience, (it is mostly directed at how white people act, though I must say, non-BIPOC are not exempt from educating themselves, and also directed at Black folx in some parts) and sometimes the pop culture or historical references might go over your head, but that only points out how much you have to learn about.
July 17, 2019
This breaks down a lot of basic examples and types of racism using humor, a no doubt preferred method for approaching this difficult topic. It's concise and brilliant with great illustrations.
I will say that the discussion of Michael Jackson with a side of R Kelly was a little rough, chalking up all allegations to racism. But it was written in 2014 and I'm reading it in 2019, the year both documentaries came out on both of their crimes, so I don't know what we knew back then. Plus, this is primarily entertainment and maybe not the place for that discussion. Also racism is always involved in any allegation with people assuming black alleged abusers are guilty as opposed to white ones minus any facts, so he's not totally wrong, generally. The discussion was still a little hard in light of victims' accounts. There is still a valuable discussion in thinking about whether to separate an artist's vast contribution to the art or to "cancel" them after finding out about a history of abusing one or many individuals, but maybe this book is not really the place to handle that even if it was written today.
Overall, great book. Just that one part didn't age so well.
I will say that the discussion of Michael Jackson with a side of R Kelly was a little rough, chalking up all allegations to racism. But it was written in 2014 and I'm reading it in 2019, the year both documentaries came out on both of their crimes, so I don't know what we knew back then. Plus, this is primarily entertainment and maybe not the place for that discussion. Also racism is always involved in any allegation with people assuming black alleged abusers are guilty as opposed to white ones minus any facts, so he's not totally wrong, generally. The discussion was still a little hard in light of victims' accounts. There is still a valuable discussion in thinking about whether to separate an artist's vast contribution to the art or to "cancel" them after finding out about a history of abusing one or many individuals, but maybe this book is not really the place to handle that even if it was written today.
Overall, great book. Just that one part didn't age so well.
February 28, 2017
A perfect primer on white privilege, not to mention very funny. Looking forward to the Neflix show!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 188 reviews