What exactly is a "black" book?

Isn't a "black" book a thing where you keep the names and numbers of people you have had sex with or would like to have sex with?? Okay... now that I know what you mean. How black is the book?? Malcolm X Memiors? I am pretty "color blind" so it would not raise my eyebrows.

No, because your mind has no color. Free it.

That would be like listening to back music, would they think the same of you?

That's like saying you can only read books written by your race. That's silly on so many levels. Read all you like. You can learn or have entertainment from most books in my opinion. Your friend made a rather racist comment in my mind. Plus, some schools make you read Uncle Toms cabin, which if I remember correctly was written by a "black" person. Does this mean the schools are trying to make their kids "black" no of course not! It's very stupid to suggest that.

Books are books if you dont explore then you wont get smarter, just because you can make unbaised decisions for yourself doesnt mean your co-worker has to hate on you. Keep it up. =]

"Someone" was right: it's a racist thing to say. If you want to read a book that explores life from the viewpoints of a different culture then congrats! Unless you're reading about the intricacies of suicide-bombing and scholastic shootouts, I say you don't have to justify your reading choices to anyone.

No, I think EVERYONE should read "Cry, the Beloved Country" It is powerful.. no I am not black yes I have read it and I think people do benefit from reading books outside their own culture :D

Not at all. Reading books by authors of different cultures is a good thing. Would the same co worker say that a black person shouldnt read something by a white author? Should Shakespeare only be read by the English?

Your friend has a problem. Books are meant to be read by everyone. If they can only be read by people the same colour, religion or whatever, then how do we learn? You read what you want. If it educates you, so be it.

I read XXL Magazine all the time (it's a hip hop magazine focusing on the African American sub-culture) and it's awesome. Some people look at me slightly confused, but I think it's because the magazine is juxtaposed with the Financial Times, The Economist, The Atlantic, and National Geographic (amongst others). So there is nothing wrong, your friend just feels uncomfortable. Fight the power.

Ask him if he thought the author would think the same way? So, he probably also thinks that all the people who listen to rap, soul and R8B music; all the ones who love the individuality displayed by blacks and try to emulate it; all the ones that love the clothing worn by blacks; all the ones who... are just "wanna be blacks"? That's not true and MOST people know that. It was also thought that white singers could NOT sing soul or r&b... Yet, Elvis, Hall and Oates (with Hall the lead singer), Simply Red, Michael Bolton, and MANY others have proved THAT a myth. Personally, I think HE'S racist for thinking that. NO. There's NOTHING wrong with reading a black author's book. There's NOTHING wrong with trying to understand another race, religion or culture (If you were reading the Quran, would he think you were a "wanna be Muslim"? the Book of Mormon a "wanna be Mormon"? Ask Oprah. Her book club is for ALL races, no matter the race or religion of the author. If you were reading a book she recommended, would he still think that? And as I said before, I'm SURE the author would be happy to have sold another book and seriously doubt he'd think the same of you.

Your coworker is not too bright, is he? Be kind to him, but from a distance. He is the type who sticks a screwdriver in an electrical outlet to see if there is power to it.

No, but I think your co-worker is a bit narrow minded.

I have not problem with this. I am reading "The Audacy of Hope" from Sen. Obama and he is black and white. The book is also black and white, like most books that I read: black ink, white paper. If books were only white or only black, nobody could read them. Does your coworker also hear only white music, from white componists and played by white interprets? What is if they are 50% white? Or 75%? Or 80%? Are yellow people more white than black ones?

Your co worker is one of those people who is probably tired of whitey jumping on the bandwagon. It's kind of like normal people not being able to worship Jesus because most Christians are absolutely nuts. Makes you guilty by association. It's not fair how even when people run out of things to be accusatory and steriotypical over... They find new ones. Toni Morrison and James Baldwin are two of my favorite writers. But because of people like your co worker... I would actually think twice about reading either of them in a public place.

I'm not black, but I love: Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zola Neale Hurston, The Color Purple by Alice Walker, and The Autobiography of Malcolm X by A. Huxley (sp?), and Things Fall Apart by C. Achebe. If your coworker really thinks that he or she is really shallow.

..and if you are trying to be black...what are they going to do about it?

I thought your comment/question was rhetorical. From answer #2 Sheriff-Raff: Isn't a "black" book a thing where you keep the names and numbers of people you have had sex with or would like to have sex with??

I think, opposite your co-worker, that you should go OUT OF YOUR WAY to read what others outside your race, culture, gender and class have to say. How else are you going to learn something you don't already know? Or learn that something you do know ... is wrong? Open your mind, and close your ears to such racist nonsense as your co-worker is spouting. Him I would keep at arm's length, for sure.