Journal Entry 1 by xallroyx from Huntington Beach, California USA on Monday, April 25, 2005

I don't even know where to begin with this one. I was introduced to it when I was student teaching and it was assigned to some of my students. I read it as well and was amazed at the story. I think it's one that everyone should read!!!!

A review on Amazon
It is said one cannot understand or empathize with someone else unless "you walk a mile in their mocassins." John Howard Griffin did just that, darkened his skin and took a walk into the Deep South to see how it would feel to be a member of a despised minority during 1959, the height of the Jim Crow years, when water fountains and rest rooms were separate for the races, when a black man or woman couldn't eat in a restaurant or get a hotel room. (It is said Bessie Smith, the great blues singer, died after a car accident because she couldn't be treated at a nearby hospital, for whites only.)
The book is of course dated, but it is unique in that it is a viewpoint that is undeniably credible. Here is a white guy, saying: "It happened to me, just because my skin was dark. Believe it." He suffers the indignity of finding everyday tasks that become almost insurmountable--to find a restroom, a bus seat, a park bench, someplace to eat, to be left alone with out fear of harrassment. And it's this harrassment and outright fear that changes Griffin to the point he had to finally abandon his project. He was changed by it.

The question I have is what would someone who chose Griffin's experiment find today? While Jim Crow is gone, the cultures still have a gulf between them. And since today, you won't see the "whites only" sign on drinking fountains that I saw as a child traveling in the Deep South, you should be sure to read this to get perspective on our history and culture. This is a brave book.
 

Journal Entry 2 by xallroyx from Huntington Beach, California USA on Wednesday, December 14, 2005

reserved for cosmic-gin

mailed out 12/15! 

Journal Entry 3 by cosmic-gin from Sydney, New South Wales Australia on Wednesday, December 28, 2005

Thanks so much - sounds like a great read! Adding to my fast growing TBR mountain :) 

Journal Entry 4 by cosmic-gin from Sydney, New South Wales Australia on Wednesday, April 19, 2006

I did enjoy this read and it was a pretty gutsy move to pull considering the tension of that period in time. And I'm sure the authors’ heart and intentions were in the right place, but a few things didn't sit well with me.

Firstly how instantly he 'felt' like a black man! Not only in looks but emotion, stress, tension, struggle for the cause etc. Just not possible I'm sorry. I'm sure the empathy factor is high, but he could never truly know what it feels like day in and day out. After all, he does have an easy way out doesn't he? I would probably feel different if he continued for longer than a couple of weeks. But that's just me.

There were a couple of other things that bugged me. But one that stood out for me was the way he always tried to justify peoples reactions, comments and racist views instead of just seeing it for what it is. Maybe he's trying to show compassion and misunderstanding on both sides of the fence. But when a white person would be out and out racist he would say something like "I knew he/she didn't want to do/say that, the look in her eyes showed empathy and understanding etc etc" ummmm no, I don't think so!! Unless you're a great mind reader how would you know that? Racism is just such a personal topic for me so I can be a little defensive .. hehe!

But I know he was trying to show the world what was truly going on. And I'm sure this book has been studied in American schools and has probably changed lives. So we should all be greatful for a book like that. So if it has made people stop, think, react, question or change then the book and the author's experience have done it's job. But I still couldn't get it out of my mind that no matter what happened, he always knew he could go back to 'the real world.' But still a gutsy thing to do, especially since his life could of been taken just by being black.

to aussie-rose! Enjoy!!
 

Journal Entry 5 by aussie-rose from Adelaide, South Australia Australia on Wednesday, April 26, 2006

This book arrived safely today and I am so looking forward to reading it!!! Thanks cosmic-gin! :-) 

Journal Entry 6 by aussie-rose from Adelaide, South Australia Australia on Friday, April 28, 2006

Once I have read this book I am going to turn it into an "Aussie Only Bookring". I had forgotten that cosmic-gin promised me this book a little while ago and I signed up for another bookring for this title! When this copy arrived a few days ago from cosmic-gin I realised I had goofed! LOL!! (can anyone spell "scatterbrain"! *doh* LOL!!)

So I have asked booklady331 to delete my name from her participant list and I also suggested that I "pinch" the other 2 aussie participants who signed up for her ring when I advertised it for her on the BCAUS list. Now her book can travel back to the US and this book can do the "aussie-leg" - if that makes sense! :-)

So once I have read this book I'll send it on to the first ring participant!

Normal rules for rings apply: Read it, PM next person for their address, and pass it on as soon as possible, no 'guilts' if you keep it for a month but do keep it moving please! :-)

ALSO....please make a journal entry when you GET the book and also journal your thoughts about this book once you've read it. AND please PM me if you can't get in touch with the next person on the list or if you have any other hassles (with the bookring I mean! LOL!). Thanks.


Ring members are:
1. puffylala - Vic
2. froggirlwendy - Qld
3. puppymummy - Vic
4. Kalasue - WA
5. xoddam - NSW
6. kidwrangler - Qld
7. leeny37 - Vic
8. sarahbear - Tas
9. livrecache - Vic
11. ukcanaus - Vic
12. mummafour - SA
15. Back to aussie-rose <-- THE BOOK IS HOME!!!! :-) 

Journal Entry 7 by aussie-rose from Adelaide, South Australia Australia on Tuesday, May 09, 2006

I've finished this book and found it quite an interesting read!!

There were times I thought the author's descriptions were a little contrived and flowery. For example, I have to agree with cosmic-gin that Griffin's reaction to his first look at the 'negro in the mirror' would have been startling and confronting but how could he instantly 'understand' all the feelings a black person would have? I think the 'afterword' described his reaction better, that he realised he had 'emotional racism' still lurking in his psyche even though he had dealt with his 'intellectual racism'. The shock of seeing himself as black brought him face-to-face with his deeper emotional issues of being 'trapped' in a black body. I thought too that some of his journal entries were 'polished journalistic-style pieces' at times. Did he really record all those thoughts at the time or was there a lot of polishing and editing later to make it read more like a novel? BUT I also have to remember I am thinking as a white person who is living 50 years after the events happened.

That being said, I think the descriptions of how he and other Negro people were treated and the exposure of the blatant racism that existed (and still exists in some areas) is just heartbreaking. The epilogue discussion, expanding on the years after Griffin's experiment and the rise of militancy and 'the black movement', helped to educate me about this period of history and challenge me futher about issues of racism. I consider myself very 'non-racist' and believe all men/women are equal under God - but some of the epilogue discussions about how hurt some of the whites were when their help was rejected after they had been advocates of anti-racism policies for years made me wonder how I would have reacted? Would I have seen the point that, as a white, I couldn't 'help' the black people any further because that in itself was condescending! wow...lots of things to think about!

Thanks again for the chance to read this book! It's now going on a little journey around Australia so stay tuned for more journal entries. :-)

Popping it in the post next week to puffylala. 

Journal Entry 8 by puffylala on Thursday, May 18, 2006

Received this book in the mail yesterday. Look forward to reading this. 

Journal Entry 9 by puffylala on Wednesday, June 21, 2006

Personally, a lot of this book told me nothing I either didn't already know or at least expect to be the case. However, there where a lot of little details that I had never really thought about that where eye opening to me. Although I despise any form of racism with a passion, I am reminded that I have lived in an all white community my entire life and as a result, I cannot completely understand the black mans life/plight under these circumstances regardless of how well read or educated I might be and so I found this book very interesting and enlightening in many of the smaller details of life.

This book was written almost 50 years ago and we live in a different world today in many ways however I thought this was well worth taking the time to read. It's the type of book I'd like all my family to read. It was very interesting.

Ohh, I also found it very easy to read. I wasn't sure how well written it would be but I enjoyed the way it was written just as much as I enjoyed the content. 

Journal Entry 10 by puffylala on Friday, June 23, 2006

Posted this off to froggirlwendy today. 

Journal Entry 11 by froggirlwendy from Brisbane, Queensland Australia on Thursday, June 29, 2006

Received yesterday - will read ASAP and forward on. Thanks puffylala & aussie-rose.

28/07 received puppymummy's addy - on its way Monday. 

Journal Entry 12 by froggirlwendy from Brisbane, Queensland Australia on Sunday, July 30, 2006

Thanks puffyala for passing on this bookring - it was a book I found easy to read and enjoyed and to think that it was written 50 years ago. The one terrible realism is that racism did and still does exist, hopefully not to the extent it did back then. This was a truly dangerous reality experiment - full kudos to the author. An enjoyable read.

Thank you aussie-rose for starting this as a ring. On its way to puppymummy in tomorrow's mail. 

Journal Entry 13 by puppymummy from Melbourne, Victoria Australia on Wednesday, August 09, 2006

Arrived safely last Friday - sorry it took me a little while to journal, I'm collecting for the census and the weekend was flat out doing last minute deliveries. Looking forward to it as soon as I get a bit of a break! 

Journal Entry 14 by puppymummy from Melbourne, Victoria Australia on Saturday, September 09, 2006

This book reminded me a lot of another similar experiment in 'Nickel and Dimed', where a woman tries to survive on a low income for a few months. Yes, the experiment is somewhat flawed because both writers can go back to their normal lives, but it is still very informative.
I thought this was really intriguing, somewhat distressing and of great importance, and I appreciated that JHG confronted his own underlying racism when he first became black - I think we all have somewhere a bit of a preconceived notion about other people, and no matter how open-minded we think we are there are still some prejudices. It's one of the ways we get by in the world, but the last few sections really highlighted that for me and I did understand the resentment of the white students, in particular, who were trying to help the situation.
This book is still relevant today, and in particular it illustrated that equality is still a myth when there are issues with obtaining jobs and services - this goes a long way to explaining the situation Australia has with our Aboriginal population and why we have people living in third-world conditions within a supposedly first-world country. I'm very grateful for the opportunity to read this. 

Journal Entry 15 by kalasue from Beijing, Beijing China on Monday, September 18, 2006

Received today, and going to the top of the pile... 

Journal Entry 16 by kalasue from Beijing, Beijing China on Monday, September 25, 2006

This is a fascinating book, though clearly things have changed a lot in the US since it was written. I travelled there last year, and can't imagine anyone now putting up with that kind of overt discrimination - separate shops, entrances etc for black vs white people. On the other hand, there is plenty of discrimination everywhere. I was not aware, for example, that Greyhound buses in the US are used mainly by the poor and black. I booked a series of trips on one day in order to get from Virginia up to Pennysylvania. I am middle-aged, though slim and fit, and was travelling by myself. It was a bit of a shock to discover that although I had pre-booked, the ticket did not guarantee me a seat on any coach, and I had to stand up in a very packed bus for the first hour and a half. When changing buses, I could not get on and secure myself a seat because I had to wait outside until my baggage was stowed underneath. The general friendliness between blacks who clearly did not know each other was very obvious, but it did not extend to me or to other whites, who generally kept to themselves. The few people who did talk to me soon demonstrated interest in Australia and several times it was suggested to me that I would be better off catching Amtrak trains in future. Everyone saw me as out of place, even though I was not unhappy or particularly uncomfortable. On the first trip, where I had to stand, one young black man offered me his seat and was clearly embarrassed that nobody else had offered, but his seat was so far away and the move would have caused such a lot of jostling, that I waved him my thanks and stayed where I was.

I think the experiences of this book could be compared to any form of discrimation, and how it might feel to be on the other side of the fence - think disability, religious dress, etc.

Thanks for the opportunity to read this fascinating book - clearly food for thought for all who read it. 

Journal Entry 17 by kalasue from Beijing, Beijing China on Saturday, September 30, 2006

Posted off to xoddam yesterday... 

Journal Entry 18 by xoddam from Sydney, New South Wales Australia on Wednesday, October 04, 2006

Received! Yesterday at work. It goes to the bottom of the list, but I intend to read it Very Soon. Honestly. Very interesting to read everyone's reviews and experiences here. 

Journal Entry 19 by xoddam from Sydney, New South Wales Australia on Tuesday, January 02, 2007

John Howard Griffin is a very brave man, unlike a near-namesake of his I can think of. Even so I'll agree with all that's been said above, especially the depth of Griffin's willingness to share the Southern Negro experience, given that he did not hesitate to reveal himself to friends and run to safety the first time he felt really uncomfortable.

It's very interesting how, while the race of every single character is relevant to such a story, Griffin leaves some bit-players' race ambiguous, or seems to assume that if it is not mentioned specifically that the reader will understand that a person is white. I found this rather irritating.

Griffin's Roman Catholic religion, and his awareness of the role of the church in the terrifying German racism of the previous decades, seem to have greatly influenced his thinking. Being able to visit a monastery for a retreat mid-way along his journey must have been a blessed relief.

One other noteworthy thing is the way white US military personnel deliberately distanced themselves from the kind of racism practised by Southern officialdom. Racial discrimination within the armed forces is well-documented (and continues), but these observations indicate that the military has actually been one of America's more progressive institutions historically. The only African American I'm close to who remembers the civil rights struggle of the 1960s was in her teens at the time this book was written. Because she moved in military circles in California she never had to put up with the kind of humiliation inflicted on blacks in the Deep South.

I have kidwrangler's address and will post the book tomorrow. 

Journal Entry 20 by xoddam from Sydney, New South Wales Australia on Tuesday, January 16, 2007

I didn't send this a fortnight ago as promised -- I have a few excuses for never making it to the post office, but they're all lame. I leave the country tomorrow morning before the post offices open, so I've asked my dear sister to post my books for me instead. The book should therefore be on its way shortly despite my procrastination. 

Journal Entry 21 by kidwrangler from Gold Coast, Queensland Australia on Thursday, January 25, 2007

I've (finally! LOL) received the book. It is under a slim read that I'd like to finish first, so shouldn't be long until I journal and pass along :) 

Journal Entry 22 by kidwrangler from Gold Coast, Queensland Australia on Wednesday, February 28, 2007

A great read. It really chills me to realise that this was recent history and that things may not have really changed all that much for marginalised people. How painful to think this may be happening to people in our own country right now. I would have liked to see some of the photos he talked about having taken. There was something about the writing at the start of this book that really bothered me. It wasn't until I read the afterword that I realised what it was - John Howard Griffin's own racism was reflected in his writing.

OT: How interesting that the close friend he asked to be his biographer then went on to marry John Griffin's wife after he passed away... AND that JHG was blind for 10 years and had recently regained his sight before undertaking this!

Thankyou for the opportunity to read this. I'll pass it along to Leeny37 today. 

Journal Entry 23 by leeny37 from Melbourne, Victoria Australia on Monday, March 05, 2007

Received today, thanks! I actually have my bookrings/rays under control so I hope to have this finished within a decent timeframe, hee hee. 

Journal Entry 24 by leeny37 from Melbourne, Victoria Australia on Sunday, April 01, 2007

I finished this fascinating read last night. I agree with xoddam, what a courageous man John Howard Griffin was. Considering the circumstances back in 1959, I think he took huge risks with his social experiment and he stuck with it, despite facing more than a few unpleasant encounters. As cosmic-gin mentioned, he does have an 'out' at the end of it all, but I think the insight he gained from his experiences is very valid and while it may not be a permanent situation for him, at least for 6 weeks, he walked in the shoes of a black person. This reminded me of 30 Days, a TV series by Morgan Spurlock of Supersize Me fame, where himself or other volunteers throw themselves into specific situations for 30 days - like earning minimum wage, a Christian living a Muslim life etc. Again, they can return to their own lives at the end of it all, but it does help to give perspective and renewed understanding. Anyways, I digress. This was a fascinating read and I'm glad I had the chance to read it. I only wished the book also included the photographs that were taken during the project.

I got sarahbear's mailing address from her bookshelf, so this is heading out to her tomorrow. 

Journal Entry 25 by leeny37 at Post office: Mailed to another bookcrosser in Australia, Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Sunday, April 01, 2007

Released 5 yrs ago (4/1/2007 UTC) at Post office: Mailed to another bookcrosser in Australia, Bookring -- Controlled Releases

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

RELEASE NOTES:

Mailed on to sarahbear today to continue the bookring. 

Journal Entry 26 by sarahbear from St Helens, Tasmania Australia on Tuesday, April 10, 2007

I actually signed up for this one on behalf of Mr Sarahbear. It shouldnt take him long to read this one. 

Journal Entry 27 by sarahbear from St Helens, Tasmania Australia on Friday, May 11, 2007

Mr Sarahbear said this was a good read and he found it very interesting. Hopefully soon he will come back and update this journal entry.

Contacting livercache now for her address. 

Journal Entry 28 by sarahbear from St Helens, Tasmania Australia on Tuesday, May 22, 2007

posting today cause I have been a bit slack. 

Journal Entry 29 by livrecache from Hobart, Tasmania Australia on Sunday, May 27, 2007

Received today, thanks Sarahbear. I've got a couple of rings ahead of this one, but I'll get to it soon. Thanks for sharing, aussie-rose. 

Journal Entry 30 by livrecache from Hobart, Tasmania Australia on Monday, July 02, 2007

It would be almost impossible not to find this book interesting. I'm so glad to have read it. Like all such experiments it was bound to be contrived in that Griffin always knew that he could assume his real identity. However, what he did was nonetheless courageous, in simply doing it, and even more so in that his conculding analysis revealed his own deeply rooted racism.

I don't think I have anything to add that has not already been said by previous readers in this ring.

I'll PM ukcanaus for her address and send it on its way. Again, thanks Aussie-Rose for sharing. 

Journal Entry 31 by livrecache at By post in Melbourne, a controlled release -- Controlled Releases on Thursday, July 05, 2007

Released 4 yrs ago (7/5/2007 UTC) at By post in Melbourne, a controlled release -- Controlled Releases

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

RELEASE NOTES:

A bookring, being sent on its next reader. 

Journal Entry 32 by livrecache from Hobart, Tasmania Australia on Thursday, July 05, 2007

Posting this book today. 

Journal Entry 33 by ukcanaus from Melbourne, Victoria Australia on Sunday, July 08, 2007

Book arrived safely. Thanks for sharing this, aussie-rose :) 

Journal Entry 34 by ukcanaus from Melbourne, Victoria Australia on Sunday, July 22, 2007

What a well-written, powerful and honest story. The author's courage in his 'disguise' as an African-American revealed an ugliness in some people that they would never want to admit actually existed ...

I thought it was interesting that the author was physically blind for a period, yet through the experience described in the book, Griffin realised how 'blind' he and other people were to the plight of the African-Americans.

Sent to mummafour yesterday (July 21). Thanks, aussie-rose, for sharing this amazing book. 

Journal Entry 35 by mummafour from Adelaide, South Australia Australia on Thursday, July 26, 2007

Thank you ukcanaus I got this yesterday! Will start on it tonight. 

Journal Entry 36 by mummafour from Adelaide, South Australia Australia on Tuesday, August 07, 2007

WOW! This was a really good read. John Griffin was very brave to do what he did but doing so he has showed us the realism of racism. I can''t believe how many people treated him like dirt just because the colour of his skin. This book makes you feel both sad and angry but it does open up your eyes changing the way you see the world!!


Thanks for sharing aussie-rose I have just posted this book back to you!
 

Journal Entry 37 by aussie-rose from Adelaide, South Australia Australia on Sunday, August 19, 2007

Whooo Hooo! Another successful aussie bookring!!

Thank you so much EVERYONE for making this bookring ''keep moving'' and arrive home safely!!!!!

Thankyou mummafour for posting is back (with a choccy surprise and a lovely bookmark - was that from you too? thanks!) The book arrived a few days ago but life got on top of me so I didn''t journal it to say it had arrived safely!

This book will probably be taken to a Meet-up to be shared around some more! Thanks again everyone! :-) 

Journal Entry 38 by grooble from Adelaide, South Australia Australia on Sunday, May 16, 2010

I read this many years ago, so I'm giving it to a friend. The book's spine is broken, so it may not be heard from again!
P.S. - aussie-rose - I have no idea when or how this book snuck onto my shelves!