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Die Nigger Die!
More than any other black leader, H. Rap Brown, chairman of the radical Black Power organization SNCC, came to symbolize the ideology of black revolution. Die Nigger Die!-which was first published in 1969, went through seven printings, and has long been unavailable-tells the story of the making of a revolutionary. But it is much more than a personal history-it is a call to arms, an urgent message to the black community to be the vanguard force in the struggle of oppressed people. Forthright, sardonic, and shocking, Die Nigger Die! is not only an illuminating and dynamic reading experience, but a vitally important document that is essential to understanding the upheavals of the late 1960s. University of Massachusetts professor Ekwueme Michael Thelwell has updated this edition, covering Brown's decades of harassment by law enforcement agencies, his extraordinary transformation into an important Muslim leader, and his sensational trial.
145 pages, Hardcover
First published April 1, 2002
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
August 29, 2016
"The son comes to the father and says, "You told me that the lion was the king of the jungle. Yet in every story I read, the man always beats the lion. Why is that?"
The father looks at the son and says, "Son, the story will always end the same until the lion learns how to write."
A proper review is to come
The father looks at the son and says, "Son, the story will always end the same until the lion learns how to write."
A proper review is to come
October 24, 2017
another book that I kicked myself for not reading 7000 years ago but I'm glad that it's actually in my conscious at least subconscious now. Also, another book that should be read because it breaks your heart that the things that were said in 1968 are still valid in 2018 yet-at the same time-gives you a sense of hope; maybe that the generation that finds it today might put it to application instead of theory.
September 24, 2024
Written in the late 1960s there isn't any real political rhetoric in this. Its more or less H Rap Brown recalling and bragging about times in his life where he was belligerent with white people. He likes to say he was always "black" and never a "negro". Brown obviously has a real hatred for white people. I actually have no problem with this because he takes a militant black seperatist stance. Anyone can hate me all they want to if they aren't near me.
Brown is actually pretty funny. Just the title of the book in itself is quite humorous. His story about appearing before the draft board and the antics he pulled to get out of going to Vietnam is hilarious. Another thing I like about this is I believe he actually wrote this book for black people. I believe that some of these so called black militants write books to thumb their nose at or get attention from white people who will listen to them more than anything. Even though there is no political rhetoric in this the social climate has changed so drasticly that its outdated. His target audience, which I would say was along the lines of 20 year old ghetto blacks, even the one in a thousand that will actually read a book on occasion isn't going to be able to relate to this and isn't going to be bright enough to take it within the context of the time.
An interesting but not surprising tidbit in this for those in the know is he fleetingly mentions that the Ford Foundation has been "trying to build up the movement for years". Its also known that the Ford Foundation founded La Raza and dumped huge amounts of money into the womens liberation movement. Its so funny how a lot of these movements who claim to be anti-establishment are funded and even out and out created by the highest levels of the establishment. H Rap Brown ended up changing his name to Jamil Al-Amin and sits in the Supermax prison in Florence Colorado for shooting two cops so even if his "movement" may not have always been what it seemed he kept it real.
Brown is actually pretty funny. Just the title of the book in itself is quite humorous. His story about appearing before the draft board and the antics he pulled to get out of going to Vietnam is hilarious. Another thing I like about this is I believe he actually wrote this book for black people. I believe that some of these so called black militants write books to thumb their nose at or get attention from white people who will listen to them more than anything. Even though there is no political rhetoric in this the social climate has changed so drasticly that its outdated. His target audience, which I would say was along the lines of 20 year old ghetto blacks, even the one in a thousand that will actually read a book on occasion isn't going to be able to relate to this and isn't going to be bright enough to take it within the context of the time.
An interesting but not surprising tidbit in this for those in the know is he fleetingly mentions that the Ford Foundation has been "trying to build up the movement for years". Its also known that the Ford Foundation founded La Raza and dumped huge amounts of money into the womens liberation movement. Its so funny how a lot of these movements who claim to be anti-establishment are funded and even out and out created by the highest levels of the establishment. H Rap Brown ended up changing his name to Jamil Al-Amin and sits in the Supermax prison in Florence Colorado for shooting two cops so even if his "movement" may not have always been what it seemed he kept it real.
December 16, 2008
H Rap Brown writes one of the brashest biographies you'd ever care to read.
This book is straight out of 1969 revolutionary black power movement, and you can tell. It's got the politics on race, national liberation, the gun, etc. All that stuff is kind of boring if you're already familiar with it, which I was. But the book is interesting anyway, for at least 2 reasons.
1) Rap Brown, now Jamil Abdullah Al-Amin, is currently serving a life sentence after being arrested in 2000 on dubious grounds, many years after devoting his life to Islam as an Imam in Georgia.
2) The stories he tells from his days in SNCC are priceless, especially Chapter 4 about his trip to the White House where he told off Lyndon Johnson. Honestly some of the stuff this guy did amazed me and made me laugh hysterically. It's amazing he stayed out of prison as long as he did, and frankly that he wasn't killed for some of the situations he put himself in.
If the man is to be questioned for his decisions, he should nevertheless be honored for his work, and his wisdom. He is currently a political prisoner and should be freed. It's disgraceful that he is in prison, over 35 years since leaving the movement and adopting Islam as his life.
This book is straight out of 1969 revolutionary black power movement, and you can tell. It's got the politics on race, national liberation, the gun, etc. All that stuff is kind of boring if you're already familiar with it, which I was. But the book is interesting anyway, for at least 2 reasons.
1) Rap Brown, now Jamil Abdullah Al-Amin, is currently serving a life sentence after being arrested in 2000 on dubious grounds, many years after devoting his life to Islam as an Imam in Georgia.
2) The stories he tells from his days in SNCC are priceless, especially Chapter 4 about his trip to the White House where he told off Lyndon Johnson. Honestly some of the stuff this guy did amazed me and made me laugh hysterically. It's amazing he stayed out of prison as long as he did, and frankly that he wasn't killed for some of the situations he put himself in.
If the man is to be questioned for his decisions, he should nevertheless be honored for his work, and his wisdom. He is currently a political prisoner and should be freed. It's disgraceful that he is in prison, over 35 years since leaving the movement and adopting Islam as his life.
October 13, 2014
this autobio is the raw and uncut thoughts of a young person who was tired of how this country treated him and people who looked like him. his views were seen as problematic, not only by the majority but by his own people. reading his thoughts on race, the power structure, capitalism and problems with america in general and comparing his them with the state of this country today i'm inclined to agree with a lot of what he had to say. its a shame that so many revolutionaries from that era are still incarcerated on trumped up charges and no one is held accountable. we're inclined to just forget about them as if they're not still living human beings who fought for our rights and absolute freedom.
August 9, 2024
Quick and merciless, H Rap Brown (Jalil al-Amin) offers us an emotionally charged look at navigating anti-Black war zones. It's not 'polished' by any means, but even so, there's a clear commitment and dedication to moving past aesthetic and into disciplined militancy, both physical and intellectual, as well as clearly defining who the enemy is.
October 20, 2020
Another rare one which I somewhat intentionally read slowly because I enjoyed it so much that I didn’t want it to end. It probably has the longest forward of any book I’ve ever read, yet was justified for explaining the author’s transformation from who he was when having wrote the chapters to who he is today; a pretty significant difference. The majority of the rest of the book has the author articulating how he was in innumerable ways fearless, during which he occasionally inserted pertinent newspaper & magazine clippings of the time that reminded me of my days as a zinester, further adding to my admiration. I would definitely recommend to anyone interested in getting an obscured viewpoint of the 1960’s from a very strong-willed and opinionated Black man.
January 12, 2020
4.5 stars but GoodReads doesn't allow half-stars.
Also, this edition listed must be a second printing, because I have the first edition and there are only 145 pages, not 192 pages.
An incredible read. Probably one of the most raw, fearless, revolutionary reads of any Black Communist or Revolutionary i've ever read. Jamil al-Amin [formerly known as H. Rap Brown] is currently unjustly imprisoned and has been for 20 years. This book outlines his foreshadowing of his eventual kidnapping into prison.
al-Amin raises a very interesting point I had never considered; in the beginning of this book, he comments that "Black america" is anyone who is anti-white supremacy, including white people who are Revolutionary. This was an interesting concept that I feel like a lot of white people would need to seriously examine and study before trying to claim it [i certainly won't]. overall though, his concept leads to the assertion that "white america" must be destroyed down to the very roots and those must be torn up and destroyed too, which of course i absolutely agree with.
A part of this book that had me cracking up was al-Amin telling the story of how he went to the white house in 1966, yelled at lyndon b. johnson, and then stole a painting.
i deducted half a star for the reoccurring homophobia in the text. I know the LGBTQ liberation struggle was not quite under way and had not united with other struggles, but al-Amin calling j. edgar hoover a faggot multiple times is unsettling nonetheless.
other than that, this is a mandatory read.
Also, this edition listed must be a second printing, because I have the first edition and there are only 145 pages, not 192 pages.
An incredible read. Probably one of the most raw, fearless, revolutionary reads of any Black Communist or Revolutionary i've ever read. Jamil al-Amin [formerly known as H. Rap Brown] is currently unjustly imprisoned and has been for 20 years. This book outlines his foreshadowing of his eventual kidnapping into prison.
al-Amin raises a very interesting point I had never considered; in the beginning of this book, he comments that "Black america" is anyone who is anti-white supremacy, including white people who are Revolutionary. This was an interesting concept that I feel like a lot of white people would need to seriously examine and study before trying to claim it [i certainly won't]. overall though, his concept leads to the assertion that "white america" must be destroyed down to the very roots and those must be torn up and destroyed too, which of course i absolutely agree with.
A part of this book that had me cracking up was al-Amin telling the story of how he went to the white house in 1966, yelled at lyndon b. johnson, and then stole a painting.
i deducted half a star for the reoccurring homophobia in the text. I know the LGBTQ liberation struggle was not quite under way and had not united with other struggles, but al-Amin calling j. edgar hoover a faggot multiple times is unsettling nonetheless.
other than that, this is a mandatory read.
January 18, 2019
You grow up in Black america and it's like living in a pressure cooker.
Color is the first thing Black people in america become aware of.
Color determines where you live, how you live and, under certain circumstances, if you will live.
If a light-skinned student was reciting in class, the teacher had the patience of Job, the understanding of Solomon and the expectations of God Almighty himself. But you let a sho-nuf blood just pause when he was reciting and the teacher told him to sit down in a voice filled with hatred. "I didn't expect you to know it anyway," the teacher would sometimes say, meaning, you're black. You're black! You're black!
I was in constant conflict with my teachers in high school. I would interpret the thing one way and they would say it's wrong. Well, how could they tell me what Shakespeare was thinking. I knew then that something was wrong, unless the teachers had a monopoly on truth or were communicating with the dead.
So much of the life story of any negro growing up in america is the story of what has been done to him and how he reacts to that. That's it. White man acts. Negroes react.
America has made it clear that she respects only violence.
So I started off by telling Johnson (The President), "I'm not happy to be here and I think it's unnecessary that we have to be here protesting against the brutality that Black people are subjected to. And furthermore, I think that the majority of Black people that voted for you wish that
they had gone fishing."
Like even when you were down South and something happened, you'd call the FBI and they'd come out there and trick you into believing that they were going to see that you got some justice. You had to believe them because they represented the federal government. And you didn't want to face the fact that the federal government wasn't on your side.
When the people cannot find a redress of their grievances within a system, they have no choice but to destroy the system which is responsible in the first place for their grievances. The government is the lawbreaker. The people must become the law enforcer. We cannot allow the government to be an outlaw, particularly when the crime is against the people.
The education that a Black college student gets will be irrelevant, fruitless and worthless unless he uses it to define and articulate positions that are relevant to Black people.
Everybody's able to defend themselves, but few are willing.
People want to say that I preach violence. I preach a response to violence.
History has shown that when a man's consciousness is aroused, when a man really believes what he is doing, threats of jail and death cannot tum that man back...More powerful than my fear of what could happen to me in prison is my hatred for what happens to my people in those outside prisons called the Black ghettos of this country.
Being a man is the continuing battle of one's life and one loses a bit of manhood with every stale compromise to the authority of any power in which one does not believe. No slave should die a natural death.
For our people, death has been the only known exit from slavery and oppression.
The media claims that I teach hate. Hate, like love, is a feeling. How can you teach a feeling? If Black people hate white people it's not because of me, it's because of what white people do to Black people. If hate can be taught, ain't no better teacher than white people themselves. I hate oppression. I am anti anybody who is anti-Black. Now if that includes most white people in america, it ain't my fault. That's just the way the bones break. I don't care whether or not white people hate me. It's not essential that a man love you to live. But "the man" has to respect you.
If they haven't been oppressing Black people then they ain't got nothing to feel bad about. If they're fighting to destroy this racist country, then they know that what I'm saying about oppression does not apply to them. And they also know that I'm not talking to them. I'm talking to Black people. They're eavesdropping.
The tactic of media is to make you an enemy of the people. Enemies of the people are always vulnerable.
IF WHITE FOLKS WANT TO PLAY NAZIS, BLACK FOLKS AIN'T GOING TO PLAY JEWS.
Concessions are not to be confused with progress...This country only loosens its hold on Black people to get a better grip.
To be Black is not to be revolutionary. When you begin to stress culture without politics, people can become so hooked up in the beauty of themselves that they have no desire to fight...Write me poems that say more than that you are Black and beautiful.
This country has delivered an ultimatum to Black people; america says to Blacks: you either fight to live or you will live to die.
This autobiography by H. Rap Brown first published in 1969 will make you laugh out loud and then feel incredibly sad and angry at the same time. The book categorizes three sets of people -the Blacks, The Blacks wanting to be loved by the Whites who he addresses as Negroes and the Whites.
Brown breaks down racism in a peculiar way, addressing how the Whites set up the Black against each other in a fight they are never going to win. Also touches on slavery and systemic justice and calls for Blacks to fight for their freedom as America would give no handouts.
Brown would survive so many spells in jail for refusing to be silenced, in what he refers to as a level of genocide and would ultimately be questionably given life sentence, another level of genocide. This book is raw, humorous and a relic of the fight Brown fought and left for the marginalized to continue fighting.
August 25, 2019
Wow, what a read. This is much different than other texts from Civil Rights era America, but shows itself just as important.
It’s a telling snapshot of a system of oppression that has only become more refined. Brown is still incarcerated, on bogus charges, and has been since 2000.
Brown swings his prose from hilarious to incendiary, and I was here for everything in between. As far as how well it holds up—it does lean on certain homophobic and arguably misogynist language, which is an admitted problem of the thinking that is represented from this era. But I think that language is important to witness and dissect. Why did he feel he needed to use homophobic, emasculating language, to describe his oppressors?
It’s also worth noting that, despite the aforementioned language, the text is largely intersectional. He pays his dues to women, to Vietnam, to Japan, even to one white revolutionary—Captain John Brown.
A good read and I’m glad this book was written and is still around.
It’s a telling snapshot of a system of oppression that has only become more refined. Brown is still incarcerated, on bogus charges, and has been since 2000.
Brown swings his prose from hilarious to incendiary, and I was here for everything in between. As far as how well it holds up—it does lean on certain homophobic and arguably misogynist language, which is an admitted problem of the thinking that is represented from this era. But I think that language is important to witness and dissect. Why did he feel he needed to use homophobic, emasculating language, to describe his oppressors?
It’s also worth noting that, despite the aforementioned language, the text is largely intersectional. He pays his dues to women, to Vietnam, to Japan, even to one white revolutionary—Captain John Brown.
A good read and I’m glad this book was written and is still around.
January 29, 2020
“The news media is one of the greatest enough to black people.” That statement is still true 50 years after the fact. In the 50 years since this book was written blacks are still portrayed horribly on news media. I wish I would have read it in high school. This book showed me that we are still slaves in a way and how the police still don’t care for those of color. Rap Brown explains how even black police have no regard for those of color either. Ice Cube said it perfectly a few years later in 1988 “Black police showin' out for the white cop.”
More about police volience to educate yourself: https://mappingpoliceviolence.org
The book loses a star due to all the homophobia, I tried to take on consideration of the times this book was written but it was still upsetting to see. Regardless of that, I still recommend you read it. Rap Brown is in jail for the murder of two black cops and I’m curious if he’s working on any other writing while in prison. Apparently he’s innocent, I want to research more about the case. In this book Rap Brown recounts a lot of times where the police were trying to get him and put him in jail.
More about police volience to educate yourself: https://mappingpoliceviolence.org
The book loses a star due to all the homophobia, I tried to take on consideration of the times this book was written but it was still upsetting to see. Regardless of that, I still recommend you read it. Rap Brown is in jail for the murder of two black cops and I’m curious if he’s working on any other writing while in prison. Apparently he’s innocent, I want to research more about the case. In this book Rap Brown recounts a lot of times where the police were trying to get him and put him in jail.
September 5, 2021
What a good book I'll definitely hold this book in high regard like I do the Malcolm x book . This brother deserves his freedom !!!! What a timeless read ; everything that happens back then happens now !!!! The system definitely needs to change especially when it comes to racism but we know it won't until our redeemer saves us !!!!
November 12, 2021
not very good book really racist 📉
June 27, 2020
Powerful
Powerful and uncompromising memoir by Jamil Abdullah al Amin aka H.Rap Brown. Should be read by anyone with an interest in American history and political theory. Pulls no punches and sadly is still very relevant today.
Powerful and uncompromising memoir by Jamil Abdullah al Amin aka H.Rap Brown. Should be read by anyone with an interest in American history and political theory. Pulls no punches and sadly is still very relevant today.
February 28, 2017
An important read to understand the Black Power movement. Not always easy to get through but certainly essential.
The writing is not eloquent and there are many times Jamil Abdulla al-Amin (H. Rap Brown) discusses events and people with the assumption that the reader is familiar with that particular event or person. This keeps the book from being completely accessible decades later. However, this is his narrative and the purpose may have been to get his story out, not to win points for eloquence. If that is the case, he accomplished his mission.
It would be interesting to have his take on the current political climate, in particular as it is relates to the relationship between the police and people of color.
Memorable quotes:
p. 2 Color is the first thing Black people in america become aware of. You are born into a world that has given color meaning and color becomes the single most determining factor of your existence. Color determines where you live, how you live and, under certain circumstances, if you will live.
p. 37 The best example of that (violence) in the world today is america. America has made it clear that she respects only violence.
p. 56 A law can govern behavior, but attitudes cannot be forced or enforced, and what the Civil Rights Movement was concerned with was controlling the animalistic behavior of white people.
The writing is not eloquent and there are many times Jamil Abdulla al-Amin (H. Rap Brown) discusses events and people with the assumption that the reader is familiar with that particular event or person. This keeps the book from being completely accessible decades later. However, this is his narrative and the purpose may have been to get his story out, not to win points for eloquence. If that is the case, he accomplished his mission.
It would be interesting to have his take on the current political climate, in particular as it is relates to the relationship between the police and people of color.
Memorable quotes:
p. 2 Color is the first thing Black people in america become aware of. You are born into a world that has given color meaning and color becomes the single most determining factor of your existence. Color determines where you live, how you live and, under certain circumstances, if you will live.
p. 37 The best example of that (violence) in the world today is america. America has made it clear that she respects only violence.
p. 56 A law can govern behavior, but attitudes cannot be forced or enforced, and what the Civil Rights Movement was concerned with was controlling the animalistic behavior of white people.
June 14, 2024
WRITINGS OF THE CONTROVERSIAL SNCC LEADER
H. Rap Brown (born Hubert Gerold Brown in 1943) was a chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) in the 1960s. After being convicted of attempted robbery of a bar, he spent five years in Attica Prison (1971-1976), where he converted to Islam and changed his name to Jamil Abdullah al-Amin. He is currently serving a life sentence for murder following the shooting of two Fulton County Sheriff's deputies in 2000.
He wrote in the first chapter of this 1969 book, “I had been born in ‘america, the land of the free.’ To ensure my country’s freedom, my father was somewhere fighting… [in] World War II… The world would now be safe for democracy. But who would ensure my freedom? Who would make democracy safe for Black people? America recognized long ago what negroes now examine in disbelief: every black birth in america is political. With each new birth comes a potential challenge to the existing order… America doesn’t know which black birth is going to be the birth that will overthrow the country.” (Pg. 1)
He states, “‘progress,’ of course, is considered to have taken place only after the white man’s religion came into being. The implication is evident: God is on the white man’s side, for white Jesus was the ‘son’ of God. White america has used religion and history to its advantage. Thus, the North never really differed from the South for they both taught the same history. Catholics never differed from other religions for they taught from the same text.” (Pg. 4)
He observes, “That which is cultural prejudice by whites against Blacks becomes class prejudice in negro america. To distinguish themselves, negroes assign class distinctions. Here we find the instituting and substituting of parallel values. Negroes assume that what is good for white america is good for negro america.” (Pg. 7)
He points out, “There are nationalist groups that won’t accept light-complexioned Blacks. What they’re doing is helping the white man, because they’re creating the potential for a divisive fight inside the Black community. The government is doing enough to try and divide the Black community. We shouldn’t be helping them. We must learn that Black is not a color but the way you think.” (Pg. 13)
He notes, “So individuals join tribes or groups to further their own personal ambitions. It’s one of the things and keeps up fighting ourselves instead of the enemy. Black people have always been ready to shoot and cut each other up. The weekend is always wartime in the Black community. Every week when Friday rolls around, you know that somebody is gon’ get killed before church time Sunday morning… even J. Edgar Hoover … admits that more Black folks kill Black folks than Blacks kill whites. But everybody things we’re killing white folks. Uh-uh. We’re still killing each other.” (Pg. 17)
He says, “Education ain’t just what comes out of the books, but it’s everything that goes on in the school. And if you leave school hating yourself, then it doesn’t matter how much you know. Education in america has to be viewed as propaganda machinery. All educational systems are propaganda machines, but for Black people, the American educational system is a propaganda machine we don’t need. It propagandizes against us. It makes us hate ourselves.” (Pg. 21)
He explains, “the Dozens is a mean game because what you try to do is totally destroy somebody else with words… the winner was determined by the way they responded to what was said… It was a bad scene for the dude that was getting humiliated. I seldom was. That’s why they call me ‘Rap.,’ ‘cause I could rap… But that’s the way it is. Those that feel most humiliated humiliate others.” (Pg. 26-27)
He asserts, “The white man is our best teacher, up to a point. It was from watching white people, what they had, and what we had, that I learned about this country. I lived near Louisiana State University and I could see this big fine school… and it was for whites. Then there was Southern University, which was about to fall in and that was for the [Blacks],. And when I compared the two, the message that the white man was trying to get across was obvious. N__r, you ain’t s__t. Die, N__r, Die!” (Pg. 39)
He argues, “When the people cannot find a redress of their grievances within a system, they have no choice but to destroy the system which is responsible in the first place for their grievances. The government is the lawbreaker. The people must become the law enforcer. We cannot allow the government to be an outlaw, particularly when the crime is against the people.” (Pg. 63)
He recalls an incident, “It was then that I decided to start carrying a gun. I figured that if the police could carry a gun to police my community, then I should carry one to police them and the other uppity crackers. The first gun I owned I stole from a spirting goods store when I was fourteen.” (Pg. 82)
He contends, “Half of the Black ‘militants’ ain’t nothing but a bunch of potheads, bootleg preachers and coffeehouse intellectuals. They are caught up in that whole identity thing. They just discovered that they were Black, because they were working so hard all their lives to be white. They’re further away from being revolutionaries than the poor people who are not militantly political… ‘The man’ has created a new type of Tom. They are willing to be anything, as long as they can be Black first. Black capitalists, black imperialists, Black oppressors---anything, so long as it’s Black first.” (Pg. 104)
He explains, “The media claims that I teach hate. Hate, like love, is a feeling. How can you teach a feeling? If Black people hate white people it’s not because of me, it’s because of what white people do to Black people. If hate can be taught, ain’t no better teacher than white people themselves.” (Pg. 121)
He states, “The reason Malcolm could be killed and Black folks didn’t revolt is that the press had made Malcolm an enemy of the people. More negroes were scared of Malcolm than whites. The reason they could give Muhammad Ali the maximum sentence and fine was because the press had made him an enemy of the people … Negroes believe anything the press says.” (Pg. 137)
He concludes, “The question of violence has been cleared up. This country was born of violence. Violence is as american as cherry pie. Black people have always been violent, but our violence has always been directed toward each other… Violence is a necessary part of revolutionary struggle. Nonviolence as it is advocated by negroes is merely a preparation for genocide… The very fact that white folks fear guns shows the value in being armed. Power, indeed, must come from the barrel of a gun.” (Pg. 144)
This book will be of great interest to those studying African-American history, as well as “revolutionary” movements.
H. Rap Brown (born Hubert Gerold Brown in 1943) was a chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) in the 1960s. After being convicted of attempted robbery of a bar, he spent five years in Attica Prison (1971-1976), where he converted to Islam and changed his name to Jamil Abdullah al-Amin. He is currently serving a life sentence for murder following the shooting of two Fulton County Sheriff's deputies in 2000.
He wrote in the first chapter of this 1969 book, “I had been born in ‘america, the land of the free.’ To ensure my country’s freedom, my father was somewhere fighting… [in] World War II… The world would now be safe for democracy. But who would ensure my freedom? Who would make democracy safe for Black people? America recognized long ago what negroes now examine in disbelief: every black birth in america is political. With each new birth comes a potential challenge to the existing order… America doesn’t know which black birth is going to be the birth that will overthrow the country.” (Pg. 1)
He states, “‘progress,’ of course, is considered to have taken place only after the white man’s religion came into being. The implication is evident: God is on the white man’s side, for white Jesus was the ‘son’ of God. White america has used religion and history to its advantage. Thus, the North never really differed from the South for they both taught the same history. Catholics never differed from other religions for they taught from the same text.” (Pg. 4)
He observes, “That which is cultural prejudice by whites against Blacks becomes class prejudice in negro america. To distinguish themselves, negroes assign class distinctions. Here we find the instituting and substituting of parallel values. Negroes assume that what is good for white america is good for negro america.” (Pg. 7)
He points out, “There are nationalist groups that won’t accept light-complexioned Blacks. What they’re doing is helping the white man, because they’re creating the potential for a divisive fight inside the Black community. The government is doing enough to try and divide the Black community. We shouldn’t be helping them. We must learn that Black is not a color but the way you think.” (Pg. 13)
He notes, “So individuals join tribes or groups to further their own personal ambitions. It’s one of the things and keeps up fighting ourselves instead of the enemy. Black people have always been ready to shoot and cut each other up. The weekend is always wartime in the Black community. Every week when Friday rolls around, you know that somebody is gon’ get killed before church time Sunday morning… even J. Edgar Hoover … admits that more Black folks kill Black folks than Blacks kill whites. But everybody things we’re killing white folks. Uh-uh. We’re still killing each other.” (Pg. 17)
He says, “Education ain’t just what comes out of the books, but it’s everything that goes on in the school. And if you leave school hating yourself, then it doesn’t matter how much you know. Education in america has to be viewed as propaganda machinery. All educational systems are propaganda machines, but for Black people, the American educational system is a propaganda machine we don’t need. It propagandizes against us. It makes us hate ourselves.” (Pg. 21)
He explains, “the Dozens is a mean game because what you try to do is totally destroy somebody else with words… the winner was determined by the way they responded to what was said… It was a bad scene for the dude that was getting humiliated. I seldom was. That’s why they call me ‘Rap.,’ ‘cause I could rap… But that’s the way it is. Those that feel most humiliated humiliate others.” (Pg. 26-27)
He asserts, “The white man is our best teacher, up to a point. It was from watching white people, what they had, and what we had, that I learned about this country. I lived near Louisiana State University and I could see this big fine school… and it was for whites. Then there was Southern University, which was about to fall in and that was for the [Blacks],. And when I compared the two, the message that the white man was trying to get across was obvious. N__r, you ain’t s__t. Die, N__r, Die!” (Pg. 39)
He argues, “When the people cannot find a redress of their grievances within a system, they have no choice but to destroy the system which is responsible in the first place for their grievances. The government is the lawbreaker. The people must become the law enforcer. We cannot allow the government to be an outlaw, particularly when the crime is against the people.” (Pg. 63)
He recalls an incident, “It was then that I decided to start carrying a gun. I figured that if the police could carry a gun to police my community, then I should carry one to police them and the other uppity crackers. The first gun I owned I stole from a spirting goods store when I was fourteen.” (Pg. 82)
He contends, “Half of the Black ‘militants’ ain’t nothing but a bunch of potheads, bootleg preachers and coffeehouse intellectuals. They are caught up in that whole identity thing. They just discovered that they were Black, because they were working so hard all their lives to be white. They’re further away from being revolutionaries than the poor people who are not militantly political… ‘The man’ has created a new type of Tom. They are willing to be anything, as long as they can be Black first. Black capitalists, black imperialists, Black oppressors---anything, so long as it’s Black first.” (Pg. 104)
He explains, “The media claims that I teach hate. Hate, like love, is a feeling. How can you teach a feeling? If Black people hate white people it’s not because of me, it’s because of what white people do to Black people. If hate can be taught, ain’t no better teacher than white people themselves.” (Pg. 121)
He states, “The reason Malcolm could be killed and Black folks didn’t revolt is that the press had made Malcolm an enemy of the people. More negroes were scared of Malcolm than whites. The reason they could give Muhammad Ali the maximum sentence and fine was because the press had made him an enemy of the people … Negroes believe anything the press says.” (Pg. 137)
He concludes, “The question of violence has been cleared up. This country was born of violence. Violence is as american as cherry pie. Black people have always been violent, but our violence has always been directed toward each other… Violence is a necessary part of revolutionary struggle. Nonviolence as it is advocated by negroes is merely a preparation for genocide… The very fact that white folks fear guns shows the value in being armed. Power, indeed, must come from the barrel of a gun.” (Pg. 144)
This book will be of great interest to those studying African-American history, as well as “revolutionary” movements.
January 28, 2013
الكتاب يتحدث عن الشيخ عبد الله جميل الأمين في فترة ما قبل إسلامه (من ولادته عام 1943 إلى عام 1969) و كان في ذلك الوقت يسارياً شيوعياً منادياً بالحقوق المدنية للملونين الأمريكان
الكتاب مهم من ناحيتين
1- التقسيم الماركسي لطبقات المجتمع (جيد إلى حد ما لفهم ردود الأفعال تجاه التغيرات الجذرية في أساليب الحياة )
2- توضيح التفكير الأمريكي العنصري (سواء أكان عنصري أبيض أم أسود) لأني أظن أن هذه العنصرية تم تحويل إتجهاها فقط و لم يتم إخفاءها بالكلية
الكتاب مهم من ناحيتين
1- التقسيم الماركسي لطبقات المجتمع (جيد إلى حد ما لفهم ردود الأفعال تجاه التغيرات الجذرية في أساليب الحياة )
2- توضيح التفكير الأمريكي العنصري (سواء أكان عنصري أبيض أم أسود) لأني أظن أن هذه العنصرية تم تحويل إتجهاها فقط و لم يتم إخفاءها بالكلية
October 3, 2012
A book about blacks being kept down by the man written by a black guy doing life in prison for shooting 2 white cops. Bravo. You sir, have failed at life.
April 30, 2020
Free Imam Jamil Al-Amin!
http://imamjamilactionnetwork.weebly....
http://imamjamilactionnetwork.weebly....
August 15, 2024
good book. favorite quotes:
"We weren't fighting for integration. We were letting white folks know that they could no longer legislate where we went or what we did."
"But the militants were out there stopping the revolutionary process. That showed me where the militants were at. If the revolution is abortive, it'll be because of them. They're the people who talk the most and when it comes time for action, they won't shut up. They gon' stop the people."
"Inside the united states we see some whites who are oppressed and who are exploited, but they do not suffer from the racism which is forced upon Blacks by whites, they in fact form a part of the colonizing race. Some of the most racist whites are the oppressed whites."
"To be Black is not to be revolutionary. When you begin to stress culture without politics, people can become so hooked up in the beauty of themselves that they have no desire to fight. It becomes ego-gratifying just to be Black."
"The most successful rebellion was held in Plainfield. It was successful in the sense that white violence was minimized. The only death that occurred in Plainfield was that of a white racist cop. We know how sensitive america is about the killing of policemen — especially white policemen. But both National Guardsmen and local police were afraid to shoot up the Black community because the brothers had just stolen two crates of guns. Each one of these guns would shoot seven times before you load it, which makes it hard to hold it; eight times fore you cock it, and it takes a man to stop it. The very fact that white folks fear guns shows the value in being armed. Power, indeed, must come from the barrel of a gun."
"We weren't fighting for integration. We were letting white folks know that they could no longer legislate where we went or what we did."
"But the militants were out there stopping the revolutionary process. That showed me where the militants were at. If the revolution is abortive, it'll be because of them. They're the people who talk the most and when it comes time for action, they won't shut up. They gon' stop the people."
"Inside the united states we see some whites who are oppressed and who are exploited, but they do not suffer from the racism which is forced upon Blacks by whites, they in fact form a part of the colonizing race. Some of the most racist whites are the oppressed whites."
"To be Black is not to be revolutionary. When you begin to stress culture without politics, people can become so hooked up in the beauty of themselves that they have no desire to fight. It becomes ego-gratifying just to be Black."
"The most successful rebellion was held in Plainfield. It was successful in the sense that white violence was minimized. The only death that occurred in Plainfield was that of a white racist cop. We know how sensitive america is about the killing of policemen — especially white policemen. But both National Guardsmen and local police were afraid to shoot up the Black community because the brothers had just stolen two crates of guns. Each one of these guns would shoot seven times before you load it, which makes it hard to hold it; eight times fore you cock it, and it takes a man to stop it. The very fact that white folks fear guns shows the value in being armed. Power, indeed, must come from the barrel of a gun."
April 1, 2025
**A Powerful and Uncompromising Revolutionary Testament**
I HATE NIGGERS
*Die Nigger Die!* by H. Rap Brown is an electrifying and brutally honest account of the Black liberation struggle in America. Written by a leader of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) and later chairman of the Black Panther Party, this book is more than just an autobiography—it’s a rallying cry for resistance against systemic oppression and white supremacy.
Brown’s voice is raw, unapologetic, and fiercely intelligent. He lays bare the brutal realities of racism in America, detailing his experiences growing up Black in the South, his radicalization, and his call for armed self-defense as a means of liberation. His critique of America’s racial and economic injustices remains just as relevant today as it was when first published in 1969.
This book is not for the faint of heart—it’s fiery, uncompromising, and challenges readers to confront uncomfortable truths. But for those seeking an authentic and unfiltered perspective on the Civil Rights and Black Power movements, *Die Nigger Die!* is an essential and unforgettable read.
I HATE NIGGERS
*Die Nigger Die!* by H. Rap Brown is an electrifying and brutally honest account of the Black liberation struggle in America. Written by a leader of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) and later chairman of the Black Panther Party, this book is more than just an autobiography—it’s a rallying cry for resistance against systemic oppression and white supremacy.
Brown’s voice is raw, unapologetic, and fiercely intelligent. He lays bare the brutal realities of racism in America, detailing his experiences growing up Black in the South, his radicalization, and his call for armed self-defense as a means of liberation. His critique of America’s racial and economic injustices remains just as relevant today as it was when first published in 1969.
This book is not for the faint of heart—it’s fiery, uncompromising, and challenges readers to confront uncomfortable truths. But for those seeking an authentic and unfiltered perspective on the Civil Rights and Black Power movements, *Die Nigger Die!* is an essential and unforgettable read.
August 1, 2018
In my 17 year academic career, 12 years in elementary and secondary and 5 years of undergraduate at an HBCU I have never heard the name H. Rap Brown in any school setting. I heard the name for the first time from an alcoholic who sat in front of the store in New Orleans East. With that being said the Baton Rouge native is an intelligent and crass person which he deems necessary in order to survive. Some of the radical stances that he espouses I can put on his youth at the time as his second book is said to be much more moderate. (I haven't read it).
Mr. Brown's language is the voice of the forgotten and should be read as such. The relevant passages are as true today as they were then but many of the issues have been settled but whenever people feel that they are forgotten in a society rage will be voiced as Mr. Brown so eloquently does.
Mr. Brown's language is the voice of the forgotten and should be read as such. The relevant passages are as true today as they were then but many of the issues have been settled but whenever people feel that they are forgotten in a society rage will be voiced as Mr. Brown so eloquently does.
June 29, 2018
A very interesting autobiography by a black American revolutionary. It's an illuminating account of black male life in America, with many parallels to today. You might find the masculinity on display to be off-putting but I'd call it an understandable response to marginalization by white America. There's a lack of serious intersectionality but I think of the book as a historical artefact rather than an instructional manual (with the caveat that many revolutionaries like him are still alive and have been unjustly imprisoned.) Perhaps the current movement being led by black American women will get further at changing the power structure - we can only hope, and aid them when we can.
December 18, 2025
I mean, it's sad to see that, especially during the time that this book was written, black boys had to categorically give up "childhood" and progress to manhood instead, only to be sexually exploited in their youth. My dude, you're a victim.
But I understand, I understand, you were surviving and this genocidal country has given you no other option but to.
This memoir, a recounting of Rap's commendable run in creating a strong, communal black political base is also universal, and it's just as relevant today as it was in 1968.
But I understand, I understand, you were surviving and this genocidal country has given you no other option but to.
This memoir, a recounting of Rap's commendable run in creating a strong, communal black political base is also universal, and it's just as relevant today as it was in 1968.
May 4, 2020
H Rap Brown’s words still ring true to today’s political structure. He emphasizes that the government that enslaved Black folks will never grant them freedom so we just take it for ourselves. Brown’s ability to speak to the entire community in a matter of fact way will inspire current & future revolutionaries to never lose sight of not just liberation of Black people, but all people impacted by American colonialism and imperialism.
October 22, 2020
Still relevant
I know the brother was hesitant to re release this, but I'm glad he did. Although his views of revolution are more spiritual now, this views given in this book are still very relevant. And after reading this you can see that it's fear of the Imam's love for the community that kept the establishment on his back a lifetime after his conversion to Islam. Free Jamil Al-Amin! Free all political prisoners!
I know the brother was hesitant to re release this, but I'm glad he did. Although his views of revolution are more spiritual now, this views given in this book are still very relevant. And after reading this you can see that it's fear of the Imam's love for the community that kept the establishment on his back a lifetime after his conversion to Islam. Free Jamil Al-Amin! Free all political prisoners!
January 24, 2020
Rap keeps it very raw. His language is problematic, however, you have to keep in mind what was widely acceptable in this time period. I’m glad he’s grown and is a new person. He raises many great points in his theorizing of the three Black societies within America. An enjoyable read. Don’t skip the forward!!!
January 4, 2023
A very great read. Short but it explained to the reader what sort of thinking one should have in regards to the systems of this country. Part of me wishes there was more for the autobiography but this was written earlier in his life so obviously that can't be done. Very thoughtful and full of personality which is always appreciated.
July 10, 2019
Incredible, powerful text for Black America.
This novel was overwhelming as regards to the skillful display of his awakening and contribution to the revolution. I will be rereading this. Can't even express my gratitude towards Brotha Imam.
This novel was overwhelming as regards to the skillful display of his awakening and contribution to the revolution. I will be rereading this. Can't even express my gratitude towards Brotha Imam.
February 5, 2020
Right on!
I learned an immense amount of information and gained a new mindset. The movement has not ended and many things haven't changed. It's imperative to get to work in our communities.
I learned an immense amount of information and gained a new mindset. The movement has not ended and many things haven't changed. It's imperative to get to work in our communities.
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