Black Like You: Blackface, Whiteface, Insult & Imitation in American Popular Culture

AMAZING! Great writing, humorous and frank. Finally, a book about American culture, black culture, (and now, since we have discovered we all came "out of Africa") world culture, that's really worth the time it takes to read a book! Couldn't put it down. Takes you right up through to Rap, Rock, Pop, Gangsta'Lit, and Broadway. Hard to believe that John Strausbaugh's a white guy. You might want to check out his article and video in the New York Times Online Arts section (Strausbaugh is the host of the video podcast series on New York "Weekend Explorer"). Look for "On the Trail of Brooklyn's Underground Railroad." It pertains to Black Like You. Strausbaugh gives an expert tour about Brooklyn's abolitionists and shows a section of Brooklyn that was just (September, 2007) dubbed "Abolitionist's Place" supposedly acknowledging the historic importance of the underground railroad. It is obviously a hypocritical move on the part of New York's politicians, since, as Strausbaugh points out, all the "abolishonist" houses are about to be razed to put up a parking lot. But, back to the book: it covers the abolitionists, entertainment and every reality about race and culture that has been hush hush until Strausbaugh had the balls to speak up!

It's about time somebody had the guts to tackle a "taboo" subject like this one! Strausbaugh's careful reseach, keen perceptions and biting sense of humor make this book an enthralling and mind-expanding read.