Welcome to another edition of "From Our Shelves" where I read a book from our collection, and give you a short review to help you decide if you want to read it or not. Today we have another selection for Black History Month, but again, this is one you can read anytime. Today's book is How Not To Get Shot: And Other Advice From White People by D.L. Hughley. I will say up front that you may not want to laugh when reading this, but you probably will anyways as Hughley combines serious race and social commentary with some deep biting satire. Hughley's mission for the book is a simple one: to distill the essence of the important information from White people that Blacks (and other minorities) need to know to avoid problems like getting shot. Hughley takes the very serious issues of racism in the United States, and in ridiculing them, adding some sarcasm and hyperbole, gets you to laugh even as you are outraged. The book may be humor and satire, but it is seriously grounded in real facts and solid information. This is a book that everyone should read, so I am providing the library catalog details below so folks can go check it out.

 

Cover ArtHow Not to Get Shot by D. L. Hughley; Doug Moe
Call Number: Stacks 827.92 H894h 2018
ISBN: 9780062698544
Publication Date: 2018-06-26
The fearless comedy legend--one of the "Original Kings of Comedy"--hilariously breaks down the wisdom of white people, advice that has been killing black folks in America for four hundred years and counting. 200 years ago, white people told black folks, "'I suggest you pick the cotton if you don't like getting whipped." Today, it's "comply with police orders if you don't want to get shot." Now comedian/activist D. L. Hughley -one the Original Kings of Comedy-confronts and remixes white people's "advice" in this "hilarious examination of the current state of race relations in the United States" (Publishers Weekly). White people have been giving "advice" to black folks for as long as anyone can remember, telling them how to pick cotton, where to sit on a bus, what neighborhood to live in, when they can vote, and how to wear our pants. Despite centuries of whites' advice, it seems black people still aren't listening, and the results are tragic. Now, at last, activist, comedian, and New York Times bestselling author D. L. Hughley offers How Not to Get Shot, an illustrated how-to guide for black people, full of insight from white people, translated by one of the funniest black dudes on the planet. In these pages you will learn how to act, dress, speak, walk, and drive in the safest manner possible. You also will finally understand the white mind. It is a book that can save lives. Or at least laugh through the pain. Black people: Are you ready to not get shot! White people: Do you want to learn how to help the cause? Let's go!