Nigger: An Autobiography by Dick Gregory
| Company type | Memoir |
|---|---|
| Industry | Publishing |
| Founded | September 1964 |
| Founder | Dick Gregory, Robert Lipsyte |
| Products | Book |
The memoir of comedian and social activist Dick Gregory, co-written with Robert Lipsyte, titled Nigger, debuted in September 1964 through E. P. Dutton. Since 1965, Pocket Books has reissued the work multiple times, with sales surpassing one million copies. The book has never gone out of print. Gregory expanded upon his narrative with two subsequent volumes, Up From Nigger and Callus On My Soul. For the initial release, he secured an advance payment of $200,000.
Origins
Composed amid the American Civil Rights Movement, Gregory explains his rationale behind the book’s title in a dedication to his deceased mother:
Table of contents
- Not Poor, Just Broke
- "...and they didn't even have what I wanted."
- One Less Door
The publication features images capturing Gregory’s formative years and career milestones, including performances at venues like the Village Gate and Hungry i, scenes from Chicago jails, voter registration efforts in Greenwood, Mississippi, and encounters with personalities such as Sammy Davis Jr..
Quotes
In reference to his maternal lineage,
Cover title
The initial edition’s cover displays the main title, "nigger," rendered in lowercase cursive script, whereas other instances present it either in all capital letters or using conventional title capitalization.
Reception
The New York Times characterized the book as,
The provocative nature of its title has sparked considerable critical discussion.[1][2] It continues to stand as one of Gregory’s most recognized literary achievements.[3]
In 2016, a controversy unfolded when the Dean of Matteo Ricci College at Seattle University stepped down following protests by students objecting to her recommendation of this book to an African-American student.[4] During this episode, Dick Gregory publicly voiced support for her amid the opposition.[5]
See also
- The Nigger Bible, a 1967 examination of the term, featuring an introduction by Gregory
References
- ↑ Ridley, John (2006-12-03). "Viewpoint: Why I'm Good with the N Word". TIME.
- ↑ ""Mark Twain threw it up in the air and I grabbed it" | The Book Haven". Bookhaven.stanford.edu. 2010-04-21.
- ↑ "Dick Gregory, Bestselling Author of "Nigger" says Occupy Wall Street Has Whiff of 1960s - BCNN1". Blackchristiannews.com. 2011-10-10.
- ↑ Jaschik, Scott (July 25, 2016). "Under Fire, a Dean Departs". Inside Higher Ed.
- ↑ Gregory, Dick (May 25, 2016). "Language, Racism and a Protest". Inside Higher Ed.