Not a Genuine Black Man Or, How I Claimed My Piece of Ground in the Lily-White Suburbs

by Copeland, Brian

• ISBN13: 9781401302337
• ISBN10: 1401302335
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2006-07-11
• Publisher: Hachette Books

Summary

Based on the longest-running one-man show in San Francisco history -- now coming to Off-Broadway -- a hilarious, poignant, and disarming memoir of growing up black in an all-white suburb

In 1972, when Brian Copeland was eight, his family moved from Oakland to San Leandro, California, hoping for a better life. At the time, San Leandro was 99.4 percent white, known nationwide as a racist enclave. This reputation was confirmed almost immediately: Brian got his first look at the inside of a cop car, for being a black kid walking to the park with a baseball bat.

Brian grew up to be a successful comedian and radio talk show host, but racism reemerged as an issue -- only in reverse -- when he received an anonymous letter: "As an African American, I am disgusted every time I hear your voice because YOU are not a genuine Black man!" That letter inspired Copeland to revisit his difficult childhood, resulting in a hit one-man show that has been running for nearly two years -- which has now inspired a book. In this funny, surprising, and ultimately moving memoir, Copeland shows exactly how our surroundings make us who we are.

Author Biography

Brian Copeland is a comedian whose KGO radio program, The Brian Copeland Show is the most popular in its time slot. He Lives in San Leandro, CA.

Table of Contents

Prologue	xi
Part 1
1. Double Negatives	3	(8)
2. The Friendly City	11	(8)
3. In the Beginning	19	(8)
4. Thirty-five Candles	27	(6)
5. Just a Trim	33	(12)
6. The Hobby Shop	45	(4)
7. Pressure	49	(4)
8. School Days	53	(18)
9. Breaking Down	71	(6)
10. Just Like a Normal Boy	77	(6)
11. The Other Foot	83	(12)
12. Leakfast	95	(16)
13. Daddy Knows the Great Unknown	111	(6)
Part 2
14. Fighting Back	117	(2)
15. The City's Conscience	119	(4)
16. Waking Up Is Hard to Do	123	(4)
17. A Great Big Can of Worms	127	(4)
18. Mixed Messages	131	(16)
19. Waking Up Is Hard to Do Part II	147	(12)
20. Mr. Ware	159	(14)
21. The Funk	173	(4)
22. There's Always Something	177	(10)
23. A Kindred Spirit	187	(6)
24. A Gesture	193	(2)
25. The Man of the House	195	(6)
26. Responsibilities	201	(12)
27. Judgment Day	213	(6)
28. Get Your Black Ass Up!	219	(4)
29. End Game	223	(10)
30. Pappy	233	(8)
Afterword	241	(6)
Resources	247	(2)
Acknowledgments	249