Dear White People

This is the perfect post-summer read for any person trying to make sense of the race and culture altercations exploding in 2014's post-racial America. While some people may misjudge the book by it's cover (or title, to be exact), Simien presents a book that is more friendly and jocund than one would assume. It's like hanging out with that same buddy who's constantly ragging and roasting on you because of your personal flaws, which you were comfortably oblivious to. Sure, the author playfully ruffles feathers along the way, but as he posits early in the book, this is far from being a diatribe against white hipsters; DWP is like a guide to help all races come to understand the laughable and ridiculous nuances that play into race and race relations; it's a humorous learning kit on how NOT to offend someone.UPDATE: Just saw the movie. This is DEFINITELY the perfect companion piece for the film. I highly encourage you to see this movie while it's still in theaters, and take a couple people with you. Read the book, and try to have a conversation about the characters and roles described in both mediums. I guarantee you, you'll walk away from both more enlightened about yourself and the variegating culture surrounding you.

This is the first book I have read about White Privilege. I am white, 54 years old and from a very segregated city. I went to see the movie Dear White People when it came out and was surprised how uncomfortable I was at the time. It was my sign I had work to do on my beliefs and perspectives. I noticed the show in Netflix and didn’t watch it until I started reading the book. I love this book because it’s funny and delivers the truth about the beliefs, I.e. myths white people have about black people. It’s time to get to work white people.

In his first feature film, director/screenwriter Justin Simien delivers an interesting satirical piece on race relations. The setting is an exclusive, fictional Ivy League college called Winchester University. One of the most popular, on-campus radio shows is called "Dear White People" which features non-stop lecturing by Sam White (Tessa Thompson from TV's "Copper" and the film "Selma"). Her focus as the title suggests is the way caucasians on campus interact with the minorities. In some ways, her rants seem almost helpful, such as who can use the "N"-word and who can't. But sometimes it goes much deeper.Sam is a bit of an enigma herself beginning with her white father and her last name. She also has a white boyfriend or as she suggests, a f**k-buddy. She is at odds with Troy (Brandon P. Bell) who is the son of the straight-laced Dean of Students (Dennis Haysbert). And to really make things interesting, Troy dates the white daughter (Brittany Curran) of the school's president (Peter Syvertsen). Issues become more heated when the black residence hall announces the results of the election for its president. Surprisingly, Sam the firebrand is elected over the incumbent, Troy. One of her first acts is to prohibit whites from eating there. She also removes an odd-acting gay student named Lionel (Tyler James Williams from "The Walking Dead") who has struggled to be accepted anywhere on campus.Simien keeps thing percolating throughout but also manages to interject large amounts of humor. He also uses Sam's eloquent diatribes to deliver some well-intentioned points. One of the better scenes in the film comes when Sam, an aspiring film student, shows her hilarious take on "The Birth of a Nation." Recommended.The Blu ray transfer includes a 1080p video resolution with a 1.78:1 aspect ratio. The digitally shot movie isn't going to get anybody excited regarding the look of the film. It has an amber tint over most of the film, especially indoors. At the same time there are no artifacts that I could see and the film is certainly more than watchable. Clear and distinct. The audio features a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track and it is excellent. Again, there's nothing to shout about as the movie is dialog driven with little opportunity to bring in the surrounds or the LFE channel. Still the dialog is clear and properly focused. Subtitles are available in English SDH and Spanish. Here are the extras:*"The Making of Dear White People" featurette*"Get Your Life" Music Video (Extended Version) by Caught a Ghost*Deleted Scenes*Outtakes*Racism Insurance Skits*The More You Know About Black People (a PSA Web Series)*DVRS App: Black Friends When You Need Them*LEAKED: Banned Winchester U Diversity*Audio Commentary with Writer/Director Justin Simien, and Cast Tessa Thompson, Tyler James Williams, Teyonah Parris and Brandon Bell*Audio Commentary with Writer/Director Justin Simien

This book got me thinking and laughing. Even though I grew up in the 70’s and was clueless about many of the references that “measure someone’s degree of blackness, coolness, nerdyness, etc. “, I got it. At least I think I got it.

This is hilarious!Simien's myth-busting and stereotyping diffusing guide to help the curious and confused navigate racial microaggressions in their daily lives. It comes complete with decisions tree and quizzes to determine if you're a token black friend and determine your blackness.I now need to watch the film and the Netflick series!

Great book. I've given it to all my white friends to read haha!

Extremely witty and observant book.

Great book, bought it directly after seeing the film. My brother and I loved it.

fun book!