Defining Moments in Black History audiobook

If you have ever seen, heard or read Dick Gregory then you already know he will bring some information that you probably were unaware of, or at the very least he will provide a different angle to things you may be familiar with. And that is mostly what he does here in this book, takes us on a sojourn through the time African-Americans have spent here on these shores through the examination of prominent personalities and significant events. And what gives his account merit, as he states "Part of my unique perspective was having been there."Dick Gregory’s acerbic wit and razor sharp insight are deftly displayed throughout the text, along with his trademark conspiratorial edge. Dick Gregory describes the problem of African-Americans as the lack of appreciation we place on ourselves and subsequently each other. He posits that valuelessness accounts for many of the challenges currently competing for attention. "If Black people believed in ourselves, and not what people say about us, we would be leading the discussion on race relations rather than reacting to it."On a myriad of subjects, Dick Gregory is trying to give you an insiders view, helping readers to see some things they may have missed or giving you a view that may help you understand events or the personalities involved differently. On the Buffalo Soldiers that many hold in high esteem: "Buffalo Soldiers were black Soldiers the U.S. government organized in the 19th century right after slavery ended. You know the people they fought against half the time? American Indians. Now think about that."Over the course of five chapters he opines on everything from the middle passage right up to Black lives matter, not in a strict chronological line. It's almost like you're sitting with Dick Gregory having a conversation with him on any subject you may think to throw out. It is that conversational style that makes this book a stand-out, along with some of what may turn out to be controversial statements. The writing is always interesting and readers will enjoy the unconventional looks at events that the public is seemingly well-versed in. Thanks to Harper Collins and Edelweiss for providing an advanced ebook copy. Book publishes on Sept. 19, 2017.

Interesting telling of African American history by a very good storyteller. I liked Gregory's point of view and the way he highlighted that whiteness is a social construct rather than a skin colour. Maybe as a person with white skin, I need to hear that lately, since the racism debate has become so heated that some people of colour blame all white people for a system of oppression when some of us want to dismantle that system just as badly. My only hesitation is when Gregory advances his personal theories about what he deems to have been conspiracies to silence prominent black figures, from Malcolm X to Tiger Woods. Much of what he advances is entirely believable, but when he started defending Michael Jackson, I understood his personal relationships with people he describes get in the way of objectivity. All the same, recommended to revisit some defining historical moments from the perspective of someone who was fighting for civil rights for decades.

The Most Defining Moments in Black History According to Dick Gregory by Dick Gregory(Nonfiction/Humor = 3.5/5 ⭐️)Dick Gregory was known for his comedic political commentary and his last book was no different. He is like that old uncle who comes to family gatherings and knows everything about everything. Always entertaining and thought provoking, but you walk away wondering how much of you just heard is actually true.

"So this word 'nigger' was one of the most well-used words in America, particularly among black folks. And I said, `Well, let's pull it out the closet. Let's lay it out here. Let's deal with it. Let's dissect it.' Now the problem I have today is people call it the N-word. It should never be called the N-word. You see, how do you talk about a swastika by using another term?"He uses other ways to address the same topic, and I'd never thought of it that way. His explanation definitely fits why I feel that it's so dirty, and why I'm unable to use it in any way despite being black, myself (in any context). "We tried to integrate a restaurant, and they said, `We don't serve colored folk here,' and I said, `Well, I don't eat colored folk nowhere. Bring me some pork chops.' And then Ku Klux Klan come in, and the woman say, `We don't have no pork chops,' so I say, `Well, bring me a whole fried chicken.' And then the Klan walked up to me when they put that whole fried chicken in front of me, and they say, `Whatever you do to that chicken, boy, we're going to do to you.' So I opened up its legs and kissed it in the rump and tell you all, `Be my guest.' "His comedy was pure genius and it shows through in his writing.

An enlightening and entertaining memoir which provides eye-witness accounts and/or personal framing of important people and key events in American history. The book has a particular focus on African-American and black American contributions and challenges to American history. The author’s thought-provoking narrative makes plain the experiences of black Americans and African Americans within the racist structures of American society.

I’m 75 years old and I’m pretty sure that Dick Gregory used to be a comedian. And then I vaguely remember that at some point he started becoming a social activist and an outspoken social activist at that. This 2017 audible book really has to be an audible book. I can’t imagine reading this in print because this is a book with a guy who happens to be Dick Gregory talking to you about a whole bunch of things including black history and all of the people he has known And all of his conspiracy theories as they are sometimes referred to and especially about white racism. I thought it was a marvelous book to listen to and although Dick really didn’t share any historic events that I was not already aware of, he has a perspective that is very individual and personal and based on his own individual experience. he talks about Black people you have heard about and he apparently has known quite a few of them at least a little bit personally. He does not always swallow the media stories about Michael Jackson or about Muhammad Ali or about quite a few other famous people. I don’t think he tells even one joke in this book but he does tell a lot of fascinating stories and even when you know that they might be somewhat questionable, you have to acknowledge at the end that you have learned some thing and that dick Gregory has generated some feelings for you that might be new and important in understanding the world of Black people in the United States.

I loved how this book was written. It really reads like you're sitting at your grandfather's feet learning about history. Gregory definitely points some things out that make you want to dig deeper and learn more.

What a beautiful book full of AMERICAN HISTORY 💚💚💚. I enjoyed it, I learned so much and enjoyed every minute of this read. Top shelf definitely!!

Dick my man... You are too funny. But why you in everybody business though? Did you know all the black entertainers and leaders going back to the 1930's? Dick was spilling the tea on err'body. Michael Jackson, Marvin Gaye, he was supposed to be with Medgar Evers when he got shot but got a phone call, he got the real scoop on who and how MLK was killed... Listen, this dude has been around the block, yet this is the first time I'm hearing about him. I need to get out more.The book is a walk through history. It's a walk through black American history but isn't that really just American history? I think that's his point. It was engaging, fun and funny and I learned more than a little bit. I recommend it to everyone. I got a couple people in mind who I think I might strongly suggest it to.

4.5/5Defining Moments in Black History--and Dick Gregory--should be required reading.

This book was a humorous and enlightening overview of American history. Dick Gregory has many good points about politics and brings up a number of historical figures and events that have traditionally been overlooked or have many misconceptions associated with them. He talks a lot about suspicious deaths of important Black Americans, and there is actually some suspicion about Dick Gregory's death now that he has passed: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZewJr...It's amazing how many prominent people Dick Gregory knew, and how many of them he spoke to on the day of their death - it's a little spooky, actually. I really appreciated his analysis of Trump's presidency and the way he points out white supremacy's impacts on everything. At times he was a little pessimistic and he did seem to blame certain things (like blues music) for the way people act, which I didn't really buy. Some topics he included but didn't say hardly anything about them - such as Angela Davis, who only got a paragraph and it wasn't even about her, but about the guns that were linked to her. Overall it was a great book for anyone to get a quick overview of history, particularly African American history, but doesn't want the mainstream oversimplified "white" version. This version is still oversimplified but it's a great intro and it does have an alternative perspective from someone who actually knew a lot of the people he talks about.

This was the best book I have listened to about the truth behind so many people. You want to know what really happened to Michael Jackson? Why Bill Cosby is really in jail, and all about Tiger Woods. It was what the "Establishment" has on each one of them. Malcom, Rosa, Maya, Richard, Stevie, and Marvin .. Dick Gregory knew them all. KNEW them spoke to them and with Michael Jackson one of the only people he would allow to see him. Ask yourself why things that White folks do and get away with it, and Black folks that do always get the sentence. Ask Bill, because his buddy Dave did just what he is in jail for, there was something else behind it. Dick Gregory was there.... this blew my mind. Malt Liquor cant be found in stores in White Neighborhoods. Think about it and look for it the next time you go to Safeway or Pavilions. Don't be afraid of how he talks about White Supremacy either, because when you finish this book you will see how systemic culture in our nation is still going on. It may never be stopped when you see how integrated it is to MONEY. They say the only color that matters is Green, that is not completely true.

I know about Dick Gregory and many of his accomplishments and contributions but this is the first book I've read by him and I wasn't disappointed. He talked about a multitude of things in this book and it should read like a jumbled mess but he makes it work. He talked about black unification, great leaders and their contributions as well as their vices, athletes, government conspiracies, civil rights movement, music legends and who influenced them, etc. Some things he mentioned in this book felt like a reach though. I listened to the audio book (shoutout to James Shippey he was excellent) but I need to get the book so I can highlight half this book. This is one of those books that will have you adding a stack of books to your TBR to read and research all the topics he talked about.

I really enjoyed this book for the most part. Dick Gregory's conversational way of writing really engages the reader. The bite sized history lessons on the heroes of Black history feel more like folk stories you might listen to your grandfather tell. The only part that lost some points for me was the section on Michael Jackson in which he puts forth what seems a conspiracy theory on the superstar's death. For me it marred what until that point in the book had been a very well written homage to the outstanding figures in our history.

This book is mostly all the black history anecdotes we are used to hearing this time of year. Because they are told by Dick Gregory they are funny and entertaining and not sanitized to preserve the feelings of fragile whites. There are some batshit crazy conspiracy theories in here, as well as some less crazy, more probable ones. The editor would have done Gregory's legacy a big favor by removing the stuff about Michael Jackson and Bill Cosby.

Very interesting and funny. It’s like you’re sitting down in a room with him speaking. There were a few things he said in the book that sounded like a conspiracy but outside of that I really enjoyed reading. Dick Gregory is never boring.