Black Coffee discussion

1. How did you experience this book?
2. Have you ever read a novel about Passing before?
3. Most lasting impression from this reading
4. Any favorite quotes
5. Would you recommend this novel

Extra:
This is James Weldon Johnson most famous novel, but he is also famously known for writing Lift Every Voice & Sing. Have you ever heard it, memorized it, or sung it? If you have children (or children you teach), have you introduced it to them?

https://www.goodreads.com/videos/7230...

You can also join in the more detailed discussion HERE

1. Paperback

2. Yes I have read books about passing before.

3. My lasting impression was when he got a glimpse of his father and sister when he was at the theater in europe with his " millionaire" friend. Even though he did not say anything to them, I really wish that he did. Just to know that he recognized his father after all those years made me sad.

4. Favorite quote when his mother said " you are as good as anybody; if anyone calls you a nigger, don't notice them"

5. Yes I would recommend to others.

EXTRA: I remember the song lift every voice very well. We had to sing it all the time in elementary school. Now that I think of it I never told my children about this song or what it means. Something to ask them about tonight

How did you experience this book?
1. Kindle

2. Have you ever read a novel about Passing before? No. I don't think so, but my Mom's favorite movie in the world was "Imitation of Life." I've, probabaly, seen it ten times. I weep like a baby at the end every time.

3. The thing that made the most impression on me was a quote describing his (x-colored man's) feelings after seeing a lynching: He felt "shame at being identified with a people that could with impunity be treated worse than animals."

4. I don't know if I'd say that this is my favorite quote, but it lightened the mood: "Southerners are very much like Frenchmen in that they must talk."

5. I would recommend this book. It would be very interesting to see how young people react to this book.

I read this book on Kindle.

I don't think I have ever read a book on Passing before, but like Linda, "Imitation of Life" has been viewed multiple times. I bought the DVD. It is one of my favorite movies ever.

I was most impressed by his ability to observe the black and white community from the inside out. His time spent in the smoking car of the train was very poignant. Like spying on the enemy when the enemy is you. LOL

I loved so many quotes from this book. I added 3 or 4 to goodreads as I went along. This one is short and sweet.

“It’s no disgrace to be black, but it’s often very inconvenient.

I would highly recommend this book to others.

Extra: I did learn "Lift Every Voice" at a fairly young age, through church. It was also sung/practiced at various other activities I participated in. I realized that my kids do not know the words, and I plan to rectify that.

I read this book many years in print.

I have read many books on passing. My fav book on passing is Passing by Nella Larsen

One of my lasting impressions of this book - is that it is a "classic" that needs to be more widely read to understand the times and circumstances and the decisions that go into "passing".

Do not remember a specific quote

Yes, I do recommend this novel.

Yes, I know Lift Every Voice and Sing and so does my children and grandchild.

1. E-Book (kindle)

2. I think this was my first novel on passing, but I've watched several movies.

3. I was impressed by how lucky he was to experience life from both sides and get unfiltered truth and how the two groups view each other.

4."but if the Negro is so distinctly inferior, it is a strange thing to me that it takes such tremedous effort on the part of the white man to make him realize it, and to keep him in the same place into which inferior men naturally fall."

5. I would recommend.

Lift Every Voice and Sing (The Negro National Anthem)...I didn't even realize this was the same guy! This makes me appreciate this book a little bit more.

Love that quote too Lulu! I need to add that one. I highlighted it on my kindle.

Speaking of "passing" - here is a recently published book on the subject - A Chosen Exile: A History of Racial Passing in America by Allyson Hobbs.

Also it was one of NPR Best Book of the week choices.
http://www.npr.org/blogs/codeswitch/2...

Thanks Beverly! I added it to my to-read list.