How to Rent a Negro

By damali ayo

A hilarious and satirical look at race relations that is almost too close for comfort, this pseudo-guidebook gives both renters and rentals "much-needed" advice and tips on technique. Reframing actual... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1556525737
• ISBN13: 9781556525735
• Release Date: July 2005
• Publisher: Chicago Review Press
• Length: 208 Pages
• Weight: 0.74 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.5" x 0.5" x 5.5"

Customer Reviews

Thought provoking

I saw Damali Ayo talk about her book on cable tv last night and decided I had to read it. The fact that it elicits such extreme responses shows that it touches a nerve in those who may see themselves in these little spoofs. This is a tongue in cheek look at the very real, serious and persist problem of racism.

Highly Recommended Read!

Unlike the Washington Post's review, which concluded that the book's "joke" "wore thin after awhile", I think ayo's tome is replete with the mark of effective comedy: it is and isn't funny. In fact, it is as accurate as a sharpshooter's prowess with a gun. This needs to be read and (again,like masterful humor) seriously considered. By everyone.

On point

I really enjoyed this book, simply because I have experienced 90% of what she is talking about. I do have to say that I have experienced much of this from more than just "white" people, but all peoples, including many Black people who practice internalized racism. I do NOT think that Ayo is saying that Blacks and whites will never get along or be in a meaningful relationship. In my opinion (and it really is just my opinion), I feel that she is forcing people who consciously or subconsciously "rent a negro" to really step back and engage in critical consciousness and ask: "What are my true motivations behind what I am doing? If I am to understand racism in America, I need to understand the 'in your face' racism as well as the institutionalized racism that even liberal White people AND non-White but Liberal people can easily fall into." This book may be hurtful to white idetified people who feel they are sincerely participating in ending racism in the world. These journeys are not EASY and a lot of people will hear perceptions from Black people that they won't like. Believe me, it's NOT easy but well worth it in the long run to consider approaches to ending RACISM from all points of view, not just the ones you are comfortable with. One needs the WHOLE picture from a plethora of perspectives to start engaging in an effective dialogue to talk about racism, whiteness, and white privilege within the context of USA history. As a Professional "black person" and career scholar in the fusion of race, class, sexual orientation and gender in identity development, I come across much literature I may not philosophically agree with but know it's pertinent to my understanding of social injustices in the world. ayo's piece was a bit uncomfortable for me to read as well, but at the same time, in the depths of my soul I know that it's time for race/ethnic dialogues in USA to stop being "easy" and "comfortable" "touchy feel good conversations" and start becoming more "Challenging", "Critical consciousness inducing," and "multi-facted". Instead of feeling attacked and thinking it's about "you", truly engage in why you're feeling attacked and consider the possbility that even you, "a liberal", could actually be engaging in hurtful practices without even knowing it because that's how DEEP institutionalized prejudices work. Throwing ayo's book away is only an effectively unfortunate way to continute to SILENCE marginalized voices in the Black community that don't fit the "liberals" view of mainstream race relations in America. Read Zora Neale Hurston's autobiography, the exact extreme opposite of ayo's views about race in America and you'll find that at the time of her career, she was not acceptable or fashionable with what was expected of the Black Writer by the "liberal" blacks and whites.

Right on the money!

Funniest and most helpful book I've read on black-white racial interactions in the USA.....Must reading for all Americans. Could well be the "Little Black Book" that finally starts the honest dialog black and white Americans must begin in order to make us all whole again. BP

Finally....

How to Rent a Negro is funny, it's true, but it's also discomforting, powerful, sharp, intuitive and unique in it's honesty about race relations in America. When you see through the dark humor (which inevitably you will), you'll catch yourself remembering times when you have been in situations ayo illustrates, and you will suddenly learn where your intentions lie. What damali ayo effectively does in How to Rent a Negro is she intelligently and integrally takes a look at all the ways in which we persist in practicing a form of social predjudice and in so doing forces us to look at our actions and hopefully instigate change. A rare and fantastic and necessary book. And a great pleasure to read!