How to Survive America audiobook

I've read quite a few D.L. Hughley books at this point and I didn't enjoy his last one as much as I anticipated, but this one definitely was a great exploration of the treatment of the Black body in America.D.L. Hughley is often known for his comedy and acting skills, but a lot of people don't realize how much commentary he makes about current political and social issues. His works always cover a range of different topics. This specific book How to Survive America covers the difficulties that many Black and Brown individuals face in America in terms of health. There are a couple of things that I took away from this novel, but I really enjoyed the conversations related to the ways in which COVID impacted minority communities. The media talks a lot about the disproportionate numbers in relation to COVID, but Hughley definitely dives deep into factors that would cause the disproportionate numbers to exists. The lack of access to healthcare prior to the pandemic and the ways in which Black and Brown communities were treated by the medical community prior to pandemic are key factors. It is also important to note the ways in which the country responded to the need to "reopen" the country once they figured out that Black and Brown communities were facing more difficult aspects related to COVID. Hughley even goes into conversations related to the vaccine rollout which the country is struggling with right now. There was a specific hesitancy amongst Black Americans because of this history of unethical testing. I know Black people in the community that are still weary of doctors because of the treatment of Black bodies (this is also something that Hughley covers). As per usual, he doesn't fail to keep it real and unlike his last book, this book felt up to date with topics that I could currently relate to. Honestly, if you haven't checked out some of his non-fiction books I highly recommend it and I also recommend listening to them on audio.

Fair warning: I won a free ARC of this book in a Goodreads giveaway. I struggled to come up with a summary of this book. In the end, though, I don't think I'll be able to do better than this sentence from the back cover of the ARC (probably it will appear on one of the jacket flaps of the hardcover): "D.L. Hughley does a deep dive into the white lies surrounding Black public health, resulting in a lively work of social commentary that's essential for understanding race relations in America today. "I don't think I had ever heard of Hughley prior to an appearance he did on the Daily Show. He was either promoting this book or his previous one, How Not to Get Shot. The details escape me, but he definitely impressed me as someone with Something to Say, and possessed of the ability to do so in an entertaining fashion. Anyone can do research, but the ability to grab and hold one's attention while clearly communicating that research? That's a talent.Much of what's covered in this book are recent events. But even though I lived through them, the impact seems greater here. Over the past couple of years, everything unfolded at the pace of life. But here it's just bam! bam! bam! One thing right after the other.Did reading this make me uncomfortable at times? Sure, but as a white middle class male, that's not really surprising. I would speculate that, the more uncomfortable and defensive this book makes you, the more likely it is that you need to read it. Recommended!

This is now my third DL Hughley book and although it was hard to listen to because of the content- it reviews the past 4 years (and more) of this country’s racism and effects- it’s still such a good way to get an educated (and at times funny) picture of what it feels like to be Black or Brown in the US today. I listened to this audiobook and although Hughley is an extremely competent reader (and fast!) his voice can be a little harsh so some might find reading the book or ebook a better way to digest this context. There is a lot here and he backs it all up with data. I think Hughley’s books might especially appeal to guys. Again, I think he’s wonderful and this book is definitely worth reading.

The most insightful of the Kings of Comedy! Cat Daddy, D.L. Hughley, is always here teaching us something and making us laugh! This book was a great follow-up to a previous one of his that I read called How Not to Get Shot. Funny yet sobering. It’s scathing, it’s eviscerating and it’s a fun and sobering read. It’s definitely written to expose, but you know what, some things need exposing and I’m here for it. More thoughts on this book here and here.

This is the first book I read from D.L Hughley and I throughly enjoyed it. I got the book in a goodreads giveaway and it was a uncorrected proof. I just got around to reading it and it was very informative. It gave facts with a lot of humor. 

I love his intelligence - not sure I should have been laughing while he tackles a serious reality - but what can I say, he's funny!

A really enjoyable read, while also being really informative as well. I really enjoyed Hughley's sense of humor while also getting some really important points across. I wish every textbook was written like Hughley's book!But seriously, some really good stuff here. Challenged me to put myself in the shoes of people of color in our country. Because of my privilege that I have done nothing to deserve, I will never share some of the fears that people of color in our country heartbreakingly have to experience every day. Some examples that really stood out to me:- Having to worry about the message that your mask is sending. From pg. 20: "Even the things you're supposed to do to protect yourself, for us are dangerous. COVID-19 is deadly, but it doesn't kill you as fast as a suspicious cop. So some people have started wearing masks that look a little 'safer.' One guy on Twitter said, 'I had the Bane mask. Forgot I'm Black. And big. And ancestrally red-eyed. And of the United States. New mask is floral. Don't shoot. Naw, for real. Don't shoot."' This passage was after a passage detailing the experience of a black state senator who was stopped outside a hardware store in Illinois by a police officer who said "I can't see your face. You look like you might have been up to something."- Not being able to trust that your doctor is actually listening to you. This one is particularly devastating. People of color die at much higher rates from the same diseases that white people get, but instead of getting access to proper treatment or doctors who actually trust their patients, they just get blamed for their own conditions being sourced by their lifestyle. - Worrying that your vote will be intercepted/will not be counted. One of our most basic freedoms as citizens of the U.S. is to vote. But the voices of millions continue to be silenced.Overall a captivating, important read. Would highly recommend to anyone.

Insightful and hilarious. Gotta hand it to D.L. He handles such a serious subject with so much humor.

** spoiler alert ** This is hard to read because it’s blunt but that’s what I liked about it! He paints the picture of what it’s like to survive America as he puts it as a “black or brown persons”. It’s raw, it’s real and it’s eye opening! He touches a lot on the former President which may be touchy for some people but again it’s raw and it’s real. I like how he threw some humor in to make it more light but it’s a subject that needs to be out there more and I like how he approached it.

Spoiler alert: the answer is to be white

"How to Survive America" is a book that contains a whole lot of factual information and a whole lot of wit. It summarizes the years under the Trump Administration, while bringing humor to calm the reader down. For example, Mr. Hughley mentioned how President Biden was able to secure Wayne County, Michigan, while President Trump was able to secure Lil Wayne. It's the little innuendos like those that makes this book readily available to read again in the future.I recommend this book to anyone who's a fan of comedy and/or shares a particular disdain for the last 4 years of the Trump Administration.

Racism is America's chronic illness and white supremacy, not Black inferiority, is the cause.According to 2018 Census, almost half of Black and Latino workers are employed in service or production jobs that you can't do from home. Only 1 in 4 white workers do similar work.People of Color:Supreme Court 2 of 9Senators: 9 of 100Governors: 3 of 50House of Representatives: 112 of 431Top 25 university leaders: 1 of 25Top 10 magazine CEO's: 0 of 10Music Industry Heads: 2 of 14Professional Baseball/Basketball/Football owners: 6 of 99Black people are still not in power because white people are still running the show. They're running all the shows.

This book is a commentary on the 45th President. With facts, humor, and opinions the author talks about serious issues such as environmental racism, Covid, police brutality, the 2020 election, and healthcare inequality. Reading this book gives an insight into why about 80% of black Americans voted for Biden. The author shows the results of systematic racism in America. If you are a Trump supporter and choose to read this book I hope it will give you perspective on how Non Trumpers view him. If you are what a “RINO”, an independent, or lean left- you will love the brutal honesty and wit of this book.Warning this book has a good dose of profanity.

Decent at making its points and frequently pretty humorous to boot. The best part I thought was on why black people don't trust the medical community (because they don't get treated well by it). There's also some good stats on the backlash to the George Floyd protests (less than 1% turned violent toward people and less than 4% involved property damage). It's often fairly basic and is more an overview than anything in depth.

I saw an interview with Hughley where the interviewer said it was incredibly funny. Hughley is a funny man with that sideways vision that makes the ordinary funny. I listened to the audiobook. His delivery is priceless. In this case, the ordinary is racism and the laughter is evoked in his ironic, sarcastic asides. The information, however, is devastating. Systemic racism and classism turns living into a battle for survival for black and brown people.

As a white middle-aged, middle-class male, I may not necessarily be the target audience for D.L.'s message, but it's one not just for non-Caucasians. It's not as laugh-out-loud funny as his previous two books, but it cuts a little deeper into America of the past five years. (Hey, there's plenty of white people the insurrectionists want gone, too.) D.L. makes one think as well as laugh...this time, the emphasis is on the former.

I did enjoy this book. The author is in command of the subject (he is a black man talking about race), and, even though I didn’t always reach the same conclusion as he did, I found him knowledgeable and interesting to listen to. I gave it a four instead of a five for his profanity and crudeness, but he does use humor well. A good read