Black AF History

The Un-Whitewashed Story of America

By: Michael Harriot

Narrated by: Michael Harriot

From acclaimed columnist and political commentator Michael Harriot, a searingly smart and bitingly hilarious retelling of American history that corrects the record and showcases the perspectives and experiences of Black Americans.

America’s backstory is a whitewashed mythology implanted in our collective memory. It is the story of the pilgrims on the Mayflower building a new nation. It is George Washington’s cherry tree and Abraham Lincoln’s log cabin. It is the fantastic tale of slaves that spontaneously teleported themselves here with nothing but strong backs and negro spirituals. It is a sugarcoated legend based on an almost true story.

It should come as no surprise that the dominant narrative of American history is blighted with errors and oversights—after all, history books were written by white men with their perspectives at the forefront. It could even be said that the devaluation and erasure of the Black experience is as American as apple pie.

In Black AF History, Michael Harriot presents a more accurate version of American history. Combining unapologetically provocative storytelling with meticulous research based on primary sources as well as the work of pioneering Black historians, scholars, and journalists, Harriot removes the white sugarcoating from the American story, placing Black people squarely at the center. With incisive wit, Harriot speaks hilarious truth to oppressive power, subverting conventional historical narratives with little-known stories about the experiences of Black Americans. From the African Americans who arrived before 1619 to the unenslavable bandit who inspired America’s first police force, this long overdue corrective provides a revealing look into our past that is as urgent as it is necessary. For too long, we have refused to acknowledge that Americanhistory is white history. Not this one. This history is Black AF.

Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook.

Needs to be a textbook

This book is rich with history and while I love the humor, this needs to be rewritten in textbook form. Not as a replacement to this one, this is gold, but because this is the history lesson our nation needs.

So much information

This book has so much information, it could be a textbook. Harriott performed so well you'd have thought his uncle Charles was right there with him

Excellent Content. Michael is a black Howard Zinn.

Nothing like hearing His-story broken dow to the truth of OUR-story. Great research as well.

The title is what caught my attention.

The narrator was hilarious. Enjoyed the information provided. Definitely one to suggest to others. He provided information that sparks an interest in researching black people that I never heard of. Thank you brother.

The Story of America at its best and worst

The author is a true griot, explaining with in depth detail, knowledge, historical research and humor, the history of America which began prior to the Mayflower and 1619. He explains the failed attempts of previous "pilgrim” voyages and how the indigenous people helped the "first" settlers survive and in return received the Eurocentric principle of them and their land being claimed as their property. He illustrates the follies involved in the "discovery" of the "New World" land masses, how they got their names and how making a proclamation meant they were entitled to whatever they claimed. He also clarifies how American slavery differed from other forms of slavery in the world (wasn't a designated period of servitude, was passed down to children, and completely race based --not POWs, political opposers, different religious sects, etc.), AND THAT WAS JUST THE FIRST FEW HOURS OF THE BOOK.

Further in the book, Mr. Harriot explores the historical figures and events in enslaved history, the black diaspora, and American history in general. He also explores the theft of black bodies and black intellectual contributions to America (and the world) by explaining the black origin stories we were never told and describing how many black advancements and people were destroyed (through lynchings, assassinations, bombings, voter suppression, discrediting unifying leaders and movements, mass arrest and incarceration, etc.).

This is an amazing book to learn American history in its potent form by taking the stubborn ugliness along with the resilient beauty instead of the oversimplified, sanguine view provided in grade school. I'm always excited to hear an author read their work and Mr. Harriot did not disappoint.

QUICK SUMMARY: Through indepth telling of rarely taught accounts of historical figures and events, this book explores America's founding (in all its beauty and ugliness) beginning prior to the first "settlers" arrival and how American slavery (which was a different form than other world slavery systems) impacted the formation and also continuation of America as a super power.

Anyone rating below 4 stars refuses to accept America as it is, a country founded by imperfect humans requiring regular amending to continue moving toward a "more perfect union".