 "Nigger" | 2008-07-29 |
| - Reviewed By mortonsguitar |
| The book was both ugly and beautiful. You step into the life of a young black boy and journey with him into manhood. Just wonderful! |
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| "just in time" | 2008-06-28 |
| - Reviewed By User: A2YD1TWH2HXEHM |
I LOOKED ALL OVER FOR THIS BOOK AND YOU WERE ONLY ONE THAT HAD IT. THANKS
TERI ANN GARCIA |
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| ""Nigger" stayed on my mind in such a postive way" | 2008-04-11 |
| - Reviewed By User: ALECHD8CXH8OH |
| I was attending a prodimently white Junior High School in Brooklyn, NY, at the age of 11 yrs. when our English requested our standard essay. I was reading Dick Gregory's "Nigger" at the time and decided to base my essay on his book. When the teacher reviewed all of the essays, she returned mine to me with an A+, and asked me read it before the class. While initially, the black and white students were at best awed by the word "Nigger", they totally embraced my essay. You see this was a liberal white school, and being in NY were open-minded. I will never forget my black teacher, Mrs Ford nor the liberating experience to read such a controversial essay during the time - 1961. |
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| "One of the finest autobiographies of the 20th century" | 2008-03-20 |
| - Reviewed By filmbuff84 |
Dick Gregory was a track star, first class entertainer and civil rights supporter. But before each of those, he was a black man. Being a black man was never an easy thing, but Mr. Gregory had the misfortune of being a black man who grew up on "relief" (i.e. welfare) raised by a working, black single mother in a white man's world. His prose is wonderfully direct and honest to the point of discomfort. Nigger : An Autobiography would be required reading in every high school in America if not for its controversial title. In a perfect world, Dick Gregory's memoir would be judged by its content and not its cover, as he was judged by color and not character.
Gregory never glorifies his accomplishments into distortion. This is not the story of a hero. He was a very small player in a civil rights movement filled with brave men and women. Though a nationally recognized high school track star, he faded in college althletics at Southern Illinois. He was not a name comedian like Johnny Carson, Jack Paar or Richard Pryor. Failings in his business and personal life are well-documented. His is a more typical black experience than Medgar Evers, Martin Luther King or Magic Johnson. It is story reflective of millions of northern blacks born in the 1930s and who come of age in the 50s and 60s. Nigger : An Autobiography is the best autobiography I have read, bar none. Because I cannot hope to match the eloquence of Dick Gregory, this review will conclude with his own words.
"It's because we grinned when he wanted us to grin. We cried when he wanted us to cry. We've spent money when he wanted us to spend money. And we've done without when he said do without."
"He owns all the missiles in the world, and when he talked to you about owning a switchblade you become ashamed."
"He started all the wars, and when he talked to you about cutting somebody on Saturday night you become ashamed."
"He makes me feel small. He calls me everything on the job but my name, so I'm aggravated before I get home."
"Then he tells me about my education. Well, if it takes education his-style to produce a clown that would throw dynamite in a church, I hope we never get that." |
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| "Good Read" | 2008-02-27 |
| - Reviewed By User: A3B6HW74Q5U1CR |
| I'm uncomfortable with the title, but the book is insightful and moving. If you did not grow up black and poor, you need to read this classic by Dick Gregory. I also recommend it as required reading for red necks and for anyone interested in the civil rights movement. |
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 "Interesting Memoirs" | 2007-03-18 |
| - Reviewed By antgrad |
| In short, I enjoyed reading Gregory's autobiography. To come from such extreme poverty to become the successful and noted Black activist/comedian that he is speaks volumes about his tenacity and determination. Follow Gregory as he talks about his struggles as a youth in St. Louis, to his college days at Southern Illinois University, to his adult life when he gets the first inklings of becoming a professional comedian, his marriage, and his time spent as an activist during the civil rights movement in the South. He is definitely one of the last of Black America's freedom fighters. |
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| "Enlightening" | 2006-10-25 |
| - Reviewed By aliciacch |
For someone who did not live the integration of blacks in the US, this book is fantastic. I was shocked to read the differences that happened not so long ago. It makes me feel proud of how far we've come.
It also conveys different messages as an extremely poor kid moves up and transforms into a successful and inspiring person. It is filled with human emotions: candid expressions of unfairness, manipulation, fear, disgust, compassion, humor, resilience, frustration, success, love, acceptance. If a person lived in the US during the 50-60s, it might bring up lost emotions.
Throughout the hard times there is not a word of victimization but a word of hope, of getting things done, or making things happen.
The highlight of the book to me is on page 197, when Gregory reflects upon Martin Luther King's speech "I have a dream" in just few lines.... "that day I felt like the Negro had been given his equal rights". After all people went through it is a beautiful sentence.
I think this book is great for anyone thinking their life is hard or needing a dose of resilience. You will get some good laughs too at Gregory's comedy and naivety.
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| ""The most hateful word ever spoken."" | 2006-08-01 |
| - Reviewed By User: A1CL7DW0ECKZJV |
This book should be read by every black person in America. Especially Kanye West, 50 Cent and all of the other unconscious so-called rappers, who continue to use the "N" word in their music. Our black youth need to know the true history of that word, and the shame and hurt that it still brings to this day. They say, "Oh its O.K. for a brother to call me a nigger, but not O.K. for the white man. Then it's time to fight." How idiotic!!!
It was and continues to be the most hateful word ever spoken, regardless of who says it. My first sting of that word was felt when I attended college in Utica, NY. In 1983, while me and some black classmates headed to our table at a restaurant, as we passed a group of local white teens, one of them shouted "Let's leave, I refuse to dine in the same place as those niggers. They smell like pigs." My second sting was felt in 1999, while driving through the Bridgeport neighborhood of Chicago, IL an old white man sitting on his porch yelled, "Get out of here nigger."
Those stings will always remain with me. I could never call another human being such a hurtful word...it is my hope and prayer that everyone who has read or who will read this book feels the same. Let's all do our part to eradicate this hateful word from being spoken. |
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| "Still inspiring, after 40 years" | 2006-05-02 |
| - Reviewed By youmustcallmechristine |
Another great testament of how hard work and determination bring good results. Gregory's story is still inspiring, even after more than 40 years. Prior to reading his book, if I had to use a few words to describe what he was about, I could only think of "the Dick Gregory diet" and ex-comedian. Although I had heard that he was involved in the Civil Rights movement, I didn't realize the extent of his involvement, nor his impact. I have a new level of respect for him. I also noticed that in the latter years-from 1960 to 1964 when the book was written, his activism took center stage and his comedy was barely mentioned.
Many poignant moments are in the book, of course. For instance, during a rally, a white man spat in his face, and due to the non-violent nature of the rally, he simply allowed the spit to drain into his mouth as he responded with sarcastic but peaceful words to the offender. I cannot ever afford to forget what others went through for me to enjoy the advances in equality today.
The style of writing is also effective. It flows smoothly, and I was able to read the book within a three day period. No portion of the book dragged on with unnecessary details, in my opinion. The 209 pages were well used.
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| "Comment to don't bother" | 2006-04-30 |
| - Reviewed By User: A3VEC2EXHO8SCH |
If the book offended you, then you deserved it.
You are kind the person that is incapable of understanding what life was like for others of another race.
What makes you holier than thou? If a white commits a white collar crime (look at enron) sets up a deal of immunity get a slap on the wrist instead of doing his hole time, that is okay right? President Bush could lie to the country and thats ok right?
And you don't approve of Gregory? Wow...
Guess what, Mr. Dick Gregory is not losing any sleep over your lame comments.
He has forgotten more knowledge than you could possibly ever know. The man has walked among giants in this society; Mr Gregory is considered an icon, while you my friend are considered a loser.
Get a life and stick to reading manuals on anti-government propoganda, bomb-making and making your own currency. |
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