Structure

How to Be Black is structured in loose chronological order. The memoir essays are arranged from Thurston’s childhood experiences to his first corporate job after graduating from Harvard University. Within this general structure, his story includes several key happenings throughout his junior and high school years. These key happenings are connected to the goal of the book, a discussion of concepts concerning blackness. For example, he recounts his first moments of identifying as black in a white-dominated society or displays the ignorance of many non-blacks concerning black issues. The particularly harsh and poignant moment when Thurston and a friend are swimming in a lake and a little white boy points and yells, “There’s niggers in the water! Look at the niggers” (26) is a reminder of the racism endured by black Americans.

Within the chronological order of life events, Thurston is able to interrupt the narrative...