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How to Rent a Negro
A hilarious and satirical look at race relations that is almost too close for comfort, this pseudo-guidebook gives both renters and rentals "much-needed" advice and tips on technique. Reframing actual stories, techniques, requests, and responses gathered from the author's more than 30 years of research and experience, tips are provided in step-by-step outlines for renters to get the most for their money, and how rentals can become successful and wealthy, what they should wear, and topics of conversation to avoid. The book also serves up photo-dramatizations of some of the popular approaches covered in the book, handy tip-boxes, frequently asked questions for renters and rentals, a "How do I know if I'm being rented" quiz, a glossary of important terms, and "quickie" insta-rentals for those who need to rent on the go. Punctuated by quotes from former renters, and featuring rental diaries based on real encounters, this satire shocks and amuses, presenting a strikingly stark mirror of human relationships.
208 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2005
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
May 3, 2009
I really enjoyed this book, simply because I have experienced 90% of what she is talking about. I do have to say that I have experienced much of this from more than just "white" people, but all peoples, including many Black people who practice internalized racism. I do NOT think that Ayo is saying that Blacks and whites will never get along or be in a meaningful relationship. In my opinion (and it really is just my opinion), I feel that she is forcing people who consciously or subconsciously "rent a negro" to really step back and engage in critical consciousness and ask: "What are my true motivations behind what I am doing? If I am to understand racism in America, I need to understand the 'in your face' racism as well as the institutionalized racism that even liberal White people AND non-White but Liberal people can easily fall into." This book may be hurtful to white idetified people who feel they are sincerely participating in ending racism in the world. These journeys are not EASY and a lot of people will hear perceptions from Black people that they won't like. Believe me, it's NOT easy but well worth it in the long run to consider approaches to ending RACISM from all points of view, not just the ones you are comfortable with. One needs the WHOLE picture from a plethora of perspectives to start engaging in an effective dialogue to talk about racism, whiteness, and white privilege within the context of USA history. As a Professional "black person" and career scholar in the fusion of race, class, sexual orientation and gender in identity development, I come across much literature I may not philosophically agree with but know it's pertinent to my understanding of social injustices in the world. ayo's piece was a bit uncomfortable for me to read as well, but at the same time, in the depths of my soul I know that it's time for race/ethnic dialogues in USA to stop being "easy" and "comfortable" "touchy feel good conversations" and start becoming more "Challenging", "Critical consciousness inducing," and "multi-facted". Instead of feeling attacked and thinking it's about "you", truly engage in why you're feeling attacked and consider the possbility that even you, "a liberal", could actually be engaging in hurtful practices without even knowing it because that's how DEEP institutionalized prejudices work. Throwing ayo's book away is only an effectively unfortunate way to continute to SILENCE marginalized voices in the Black community that don't fit the "liberals" view of mainstream race relations in America. Read Zora Neale Hurston's autobiography, the exact extreme opposite of ayo's views about race in America and you'll find that at the time of her career, she was not acceptable or fashionable with what was expected of the Black Writer by the "liberal" blacks and whites.
June 4, 2008
Damali Ayo's provocative website/art project, Rent-A-Negro.com has been translated into a book. This cheery, frighteningly upbeat guide for potential "renters" of black people is laced with irony, cynicism, and a shrewd observation on black/white racial dynamics.
For Ayo, ultimately, whites "rent" blacks every day, as opposed to owning them, in a previous slave relationship. Renting entails being used unwittingly by non-blacks for various purposes (i.e., proving you're not a racist, for that ever-fun skin/hair comparison discussion, and for feeling more liberal).
The book is clever, and biting, but it's lost some of the original, jaw-dropping, brilliant punch of the website. Still, that being said, it's clever and an insightful piece from a shockingly forward-thinking artist.
For Ayo, ultimately, whites "rent" blacks every day, as opposed to owning them, in a previous slave relationship. Renting entails being used unwittingly by non-blacks for various purposes (i.e., proving you're not a racist, for that ever-fun skin/hair comparison discussion, and for feeling more liberal).
The book is clever, and biting, but it's lost some of the original, jaw-dropping, brilliant punch of the website. Still, that being said, it's clever and an insightful piece from a shockingly forward-thinking artist.
July 12, 2007
i thought that this book was really good. at first, i was reading the book, taken aback by its title. i thought it was dripping with racism, and just plain ignorance. but as i read on, i realized that the intent of the author was to comment, in satire, on common white-black interactions. it become amusing to me when i realized that i too had undergone some of the experiences she was joking about.
damali ayo, the author, has a talent for relaying comedy in text and as soon as you get the fact that she is just trying to get a message across about race relations in the United States, but with a funny tone, the book becomes very enjoyable.
damali ayo, the author, has a talent for relaying comedy in text and as soon as you get the fact that she is just trying to get a message across about race relations in the United States, but with a funny tone, the book becomes very enjoyable.
February 29, 2016
Hilarious, relevant, frustrating and wonderful. My invoices are going out tomorrow!
#BBHMM
#BBHMM
September 7, 2011
How to Rent a Negro is a satirical take on the often racist, insensitive, and ignorance-filled interactions white people (and some non-blacks) have with black folks. I thought Ayo's use of humor to breach what can be a touchy subject was spot on, and many of the "guidelines" presented for renting were absurdly hilarious. As I continued reading, though, I felt more and more drained by the rental stories. They just hit too close to home and I began to feel like I'd been the one who was rented. The last section was really sad and difficult because I know how hard it can be for people (particularly kids) to navigate all the racist baggage that their counterparts carry. Overall, I'd definitely recommend it for a read, although I think that the people who need to read it the most won't ever come across it, or even get it. Word to Chappelle.
Read
July 20, 2009This book is a funny satire on how black people are rented and used in the service of dominant white society. The humor makes this topic palatable. Ayo's concept of renting, when a white person derives benefit from interactions or merely the presence of people of color, has a very consistent logic and helped me to see her perspective very clearly. The most illuminating are examples of the kind of greedy satisfaction that white people derive from the presence or one-way relationship with black people, like when a white person shows off their friendship with another black person to her/his white peers in order to earn some credit as a liberal.
Read
August 10, 2007We all know that one person who says, "I am not a racist ... Why, I have [insert number] black friends!"
This book is written to address these people. It is written by damali ayo, a leading African American activist. Shgives sample rental applications and advises African Americans to start charging for their services.
The book is written tongue-in-cheek and it is important to remember that because it is easy to get offended by the book's sensitive material.
I have a dry sense of humor and appreciate irony and satire, so I enjoyed the book thoroughly
This book is written to address these people. It is written by damali ayo, a leading African American activist. Shgives sample rental applications and advises African Americans to start charging for their services.
The book is written tongue-in-cheek and it is important to remember that because it is easy to get offended by the book's sensitive material.
I have a dry sense of humor and appreciate irony and satire, so I enjoyed the book thoroughly
June 19, 2007
I refuse to argue with the facts. Just read it.
September 19, 2007
Astounding look at the way we treat each other. This book is not racist; it is a finely attuned reading of our racist society.
November 15, 2007
i think that this book is sooooo funny. a satire for those who feel like they are the "token" black friend
July 31, 2013
Who can give this less than 5 stars? It's an easy read and really funny. Although I am now going to carry an invoice for various transactions.
May 19, 2013
Interesting way to bring attention to situational racism for which the dialogue is waaaay overdue.
November 16, 2013
excellent satire. needs to be required reading for white folks. read if you dare!!
June 26, 2020
The format of this book is creative, and I think the humor works in a way to bring attention to the many ways white people 'use' black people for their various needs. Such as, answering endless questions, or filling out a diversity quota. Or the ways white people overstep boundaries by asking inappropriate questions or trying to touch black hair.
What made this a 3 for me was simply the lack of deeper insight (although I don't think that was the intention of this book) and lack of real tangible suggestions. Luckily, this isn't my first book on the topic of race so I have other resources that have suggested ways to avoid doing what this book talks about, but if this was someone's first book on the topic, and they truly felt clueless in how to change their behavior, this book wouldn't provide very much guidance on what TO do.
What made this a 3 for me was simply the lack of deeper insight (although I don't think that was the intention of this book) and lack of real tangible suggestions. Luckily, this isn't my first book on the topic of race so I have other resources that have suggested ways to avoid doing what this book talks about, but if this was someone's first book on the topic, and they truly felt clueless in how to change their behavior, this book wouldn't provide very much guidance on what TO do.
July 22, 2020
Excellent satire, made me actually uncomfortable at some parts because the author is just not afraid to satirize the heaviest of topics. Some parts were a little corny, but this was a very good book and made me reflect more on my own actions and behavior. For being a 15-year-old book, it doesn’t come across as outdated at all.
December 27, 2018
Historisch und gesellschaftlich gesehen lassen sich die USA und Deutschland natürlich nicht genau vergleichen, aber dennoch ist dieses Buch unglaublich lehr- und (auch persönlich) aufschlussreich. Das Lachen blieb mir meist im Hals stecken.
March 26, 2019
Undoubtedly a work of bitter humor for some and for others a codifying of uncomfortable realities, or both.
November 20, 2019
This satirical book is funny and uncomfortable at once. It's tongue-in-cheek, but also a real wake-up call for me.
December 11, 2019
Perfect christmas gift for the fake "woke" and "i don't see race" people in your life.
January 21, 2020
This satiric book will make readers uncomfortable, and it's supposed to do that. It deals with the black American experience with white people who are patronizing and presumptive.
August 19, 2023
My fellow white people, read tnis. You might
learn something.
learn something.
December 26, 2012
Conceptually, an interesting idea- how people of color can perceive interactions with white people when they think they are the token person of color invited as being "rented" for the event. Did not provide the insights I was hoping for, but the book did not promise insights, it was a parody on a painful subject. Overall, it was a joke I was on the outside looking in at- as a white male, it was a painful read where I missed a lot of the humor. But I could see how people who had experienced this dynamic repeatedly in their life would find this characterization spot on and very funny. A good reminder of the depth of this subject.
December 24, 2007
hm....what to think/feel/opine? i haven't sorted this out for myself yet.
January 7, 2008
damali ayo deals with race in a way you've never seen...
January 28, 2022
hilarious satire. wonderful woman as well. I love damali!
June 19, 2009
It's hard to effectively translate a website into a book, I think.
February 23, 2010
Gail's 1st Book Club book
No one finished, book club meeting cancelled
No one finished, book club meeting cancelled
August 28, 2010
This is a book that makes every black person laugh and say "Mm hm" because they have been renters they've experienced severl of these rental. It may also insult you if you are a white person.
May 17, 2012
Low on humor big on sarcasm.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews