Title: Black AF History. The Un-White Washed Story of America
Author: Michael Harriot
Publisher: Dey Street Books
Publication Date: September 19, 2023
Rating: 💥💥💥💥💥
About the Book
From acclaimed columnist and political commentator Michael Harriot, a searingly smart and bitingly hilarious retelling of American history that corrects the record and showcases the perspectives and experiences of Black Americans.
America’s backstory is a whitewashed mythology implanted in our collective memory. It is the story of the pilgrims on the Mayflower building a new nation. It is George Washington’s cherry tree and Abraham Lincoln’s log cabin. It is the fantastic tale of slaves that spontaneously teleported themselves here with nothing but strong backs and negro spirituals. It is a sugarcoated legend based on an almost true story.
It should come as no surprise that the dominant narrative of American history is blighted with errors and oversights—after all, history books were written by white men with their perspectives at the forefront. It could even be said that the devaluation and erasure of the Black experience is as American as apple pie.
In Black AF History, Michael Harriot presents a more accurate version of American history. Combining unapologetically provocative storytelling with meticulous research based on primary sources as well as the work of pioneering Black historians, scholars, and journalists, Harriot removes the white sugarcoating from the American story, placing Black people squarely at the center. With incisive wit, Harriot speaks hilarious truth to oppressive power, subverting conventional historical narratives with little-known stories about the experiences of Black Americans. From the African Americans who arrived before 1619 to the unenslavable bandit who inspired America’s first police force, this long overdue corrective provides a revealing look into our past that is as urgent as it is necessary. For too long, we have refused to acknowledge that Americanhistory is white history. Not this one. This history is Black AF.
My thoughts
I am such a lover of black and bipoc history. This book was just simply amazing and so informative. I usually don't have time to re read books, but as soon as I get caught up I plan to re read this one and at a slower rate. I want to digest every morsel. Most books after I've read them, go onto a shelff in my garage. Not this one. This book needs to be a staple in every black household in the world. There was just so much good information on each and every page. Many non fiction books have resource and end notes/works cited that usually take up the last half of the book. Not this one. Out of the 426 pages, the actual book content contains 382 pages. Joi Reed said it best, Mr. Harriet is the Samuel L. Jackson of the written word, and after finishing it, I wholeheartedly agree. Since many schools in the US don't want to teach the real blackhistory, this book surley will. I've never heard of him until this book, but that will change expeditiously.
About the Author
Michael Harriot is an economist, writer and cultural critic who covers the intersection of race, politics, and social issues. His work has appeared in the Washington Post, The Atlantic, NBC, BET, and on his mother’s refrigerator. Famously called "the King of Black Twitter," Harriot also serves as a writer for the Amber Ruffin Show. His political and social commentary frequently spark national debate, earning an Emmy nomination, 2 NAACP Image Award nominations and 4 National Association of Black Journalists awards. His college course “Race: An Economic Construct” was adapted by university economics departments across the country as a model for teaching the combination of history, economics, politics, and class structures. @michaelharriot
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