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To Be Young, Gifted, and Black: An Informal Autobiography
In her first play, the now-classic A Raisin in the Sun, Hansberry introduced the lives of ordinary African Americans into our national theatrical repertory. Now, Hansberry tells her own life story in an autobiography that rings with the voice of its creator.
Paperback
,
272 pages
Published
September 1st 1970
by Signet
(first published 1969)
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Community Reviews
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I first saw the play on PBS in the 1970s when I was a graduate student at Atlanta University. I was blown away with it. This still is one of my favorite plays. Unfortunately, Lorraine's Hansberry's talented career was cut short by cancer. I am sure that Nina Simone had Hansberry and herself in mind when she sang: "To Be Young, Gifted and Black." Hansberry lives on through her works and her life serves as an inspiration to us all.
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Had heard of this, and formed and impression of this, based on other things I read in Women's Studies in the 80's. But for the first time picked up a copy at my daughter's school library, waiting for a meeting to start. I really like the tone of it.. Another Chicagoan! Looking forward to reading it all.
Her description of the way the ghetto-izing schools of Chicago intentionally robbed their students of an education, and the effect on her, is shocking. Also her description of her Dad's efforts to ...more
Her description of the way the ghetto-izing schools of Chicago intentionally robbed their students of an education, and the effect on her, is shocking. Also her description of her Dad's efforts to ...more
Lorraine Hansberry was a brilliant playwright, author, and critic. It is very sad that she died so young. However, This brilliant account of her life, told in her own words, is a treasure. Many people do not even realize that her father's famous U.S. Supreme Court caseabolished the practice of restrictive covenants and the case still in which her retains the Hansberry name. Restrictive Covenants allowed for racial segregation in the purchase of real property, specifically residential property, a
...more
sheeeet, i mean, if nina simone used the title for a song, you know it's gotta have weight. one of the most captivating, yet eloquent, voices in modern letters. it's tragic, not only to die of pancreatic cancer, but, too, that all the finest writer's works always end up becoming "as relevant today."
James Baldwin's beautiful introduction alone is worth reading - warm, sincere, and very moving - but Hansberry absolutely sparkles throughout.
ENGAGING, ENTERTAINING, ENLIGHTENING AND POIGNANT.
“For them that will do ‘half’ when ‘all’ is called for; for them that will slip and slide through life at the edge of their minds, never once pushing into the interior to see what wonders are hiding there—content to drift along on whatever gets them by, ‘cheating’ themselves, ‘cheating’ the world, ‘cheating’ Nature! That is what “C” means, my dear child—”—page 44
“Eventually it comes to you: the thing that makes you exceptional, if you are at all, ...more
“For them that will do ‘half’ when ‘all’ is called for; for them that will slip and slide through life at the edge of their minds, never once pushing into the interior to see what wonders are hiding there—content to drift along on whatever gets them by, ‘cheating’ themselves, ‘cheating’ the world, ‘cheating’ Nature! That is what “C” means, my dear child—”—page 44
“Eventually it comes to you: the thing that makes you exceptional, if you are at all, ...more
A beautiful story by a beautiful author. This is the story of the life of someone cut to short. Lorraine Hansberry is my favorite writer in the whole world!
A Raisin in the Sun
, is one of the best piece of works that was ever made. The play is brilliant and writtent by a briliant playwork, who died much too young therefore we dont' have many pieces of work to marvel. This is a glimpse of her short life. She inspired me to write and to just be.
Sep 14, 2015
Cassidy
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
lorraine-hansberry
,
african-american-authors
3.5 STARS!!
After reading A Raisin in the Sun, I decided to check out this book from the library.
But, there were two major things I did not know about this book that affected my reading of it:
1. "To Be Young, Gifted and Black" is not a play written by Lorraine Hansberry.
2. The book was published posthumously.
What it IS, is a collection of Hansberry's letters, diary entries, interviews, play excerpts, artwork, and photographs. It is certainly challenging to weave all six elements and maintain an ...more
After reading A Raisin in the Sun, I decided to check out this book from the library.
But, there were two major things I did not know about this book that affected my reading of it:
1. "To Be Young, Gifted and Black" is not a play written by Lorraine Hansberry.
2. The book was published posthumously.
What it IS, is a collection of Hansberry's letters, diary entries, interviews, play excerpts, artwork, and photographs. It is certainly challenging to weave all six elements and maintain an ...more
I believe that Lorraine Hansberry is one of the first African-American women playwrights and authors whose works I viewed and read as a teenager in the late 60's.
One of the best books that I have ever read. This book is about Lorraine Hansberry, one of the most famous black female writers that left us far too soon. The book speaks about her various life stages from her birth, to growing up in segregated Chicago, coming to New York, and going into details about some of her works (e.g. Raisin in the Sun). The book also shows her views on society (e.g. Civil Rights Movement) and her views on life in general. The introduction by James Baldwin gives great ins
...more
Apr 05, 2015
Evan
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Shelves:
african-american
,
art-artists
,
autobiography-memoirs
,
non-fiction
,
plays
,
sociology-anthropology-culture
I read this book last year, since it is a common reference point and one I've especially meant to read as a young, black & (I like to think at least) gifted man. But I never broke down and did so until this past year. I was thoroughly impressed by the figure of Hansberry, which first struck me in the introduction written by the beloved African-American literary giant James Baldwin.
The collection of Hansberry's work includes the following, with my ratings out of five in parentheses:
Prologue: ...more
The collection of Hansberry's work includes the following, with my ratings out of five in parentheses:
Prologue: ...more
Mar 18, 2014
Yossie
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Everyone who feels
Shelves:
letters-notebooks-memoirs-diaries
What can—nay, what
do
I say?
A life, a brilliant life, cut much too short. But I wonder what would have happened should she have lived any longer. I am left with the gripping sense that it was meant to be this way.
What do you even say after you read Lorraine Hansberry? Nothing, that's what.
You just sit there, stare at the cover of the book, and cry. Not tears of sorrow, because she wouldn't want you to do that.
Tears of—and for—life.
You cry because Lorraine Hansberry wrote the stuff of your life. ...more
A life, a brilliant life, cut much too short. But I wonder what would have happened should she have lived any longer. I am left with the gripping sense that it was meant to be this way.
What do you even say after you read Lorraine Hansberry? Nothing, that's what.
You just sit there, stare at the cover of the book, and cry. Not tears of sorrow, because she wouldn't want you to do that.
Tears of—and for—life.
You cry because Lorraine Hansberry wrote the stuff of your life. ...more
In my honest opinion this book was very enlightening and should be sought out by many teenage African Americans. As a fourteen year old African American girl of present day America I can not say I can or ever will relate to everything she writes in this book, but reading this book I could find two handfuls of things important things that I relate to my life. Even if not African American this book would be a very good example of life as a whole. It was especially helpful to see life back then and
...more
Hansberry's "To Be Young, Gifted and Black " is the story of a young Chi-town African-American woman who took the New York theater scene by storm with her play, A Raisin in the Sun. Hansberry's truths about the black experience in levels of anger, love, bitterness, laughter, and defiantly pride in a voice that is all Hansberry in her element.
Picked up To Be Young, Gifted and Black in junior high school ( my junior high school was named Lorraine Hansberry I. S. 167) which started my curiosity as ...more
Picked up To Be Young, Gifted and Black in junior high school ( my junior high school was named Lorraine Hansberry I. S. 167) which started my curiosity as ...more
Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun happens to be one of my favorite books of all time. So reading an autobiography of her short life was bound to be interesting. James Baldwin, author of Go Tell It On The Mountain and other novels gives a really interesting preface, talking about his friendship with her and all of the memories, whether good or bad that they shared. The rest of the book chronicles her life growing up, including the landmark Hansberry vs. Lee Supreme court case and incorpora
...more
A wonderful 'autobiography' of Lorraine Hansberry. The book is a form of collection of excerpts of her work, journals, speeches, and poetry, with some edits by her former husband. I thoroughly enjoyed learning about this great woman.
Feb 22, 2014
Christie
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
african-american-lit
This book was given to me for the first time by my mother when I was about ten years old. It made me think about being something more than what I was. It's pretty simple to say it changed my life. I still love it.
Aug 20, 2015
Virginia
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
those interested in source work
Recommended to Virginia by:
read of it in the THIRD COAST book
It was insightful to read the pieces from the author of Raisin in the Sun. Original drawings and photos add to the book. The intervening years have not diminished this work. A great History and further understanding.
I read this book many years ago and absolutely loved it and this young woman. Well overdue for a reread. If you haven't read this novel you are missing out.
just started reading this after many years of intending to. got through the intro by james baldwin, new york in the 1950s, before bloomberg, guliani, koch; gonna listen to some nina simone before i return to the book.
my favorite story, and most cinematic, is young Loraine wearing a dreadful white fur coat her parents proudly bought her to school and getting beat up by the other kids.
my favorite story, and most cinematic, is young Loraine wearing a dreadful white fur coat her parents proudly bought her to school and getting beat up by the other kids.
Recently I was able to see A Raisin in the Sun LIVE in Philadelphia. Of course this wasn't my first time seeing/reading the play but this time the experience was so different! When I got home I noticed I had this book on my shelf. I'm not sure how I got my hands on this jewel but I'm happy I did :)
I read and re-read this as a young woman (nineteen and early twenties). It is a compilation of a bunch of play snippets and other tellings about her life. Somehow, every time I read it, I find myself understanding everything more clearly. Highly recommended.
My favorite line in the book, from a letter she wrote to her (ex) husband: I am a writer. I am going to write. One of those truths that is profound in its simplicity.
Understandably disjointed memoir from a great talent who died too young. Fascinating picture of New York in the 40's and 50's from one who was there.
Who doesn't love Lorraine Hansberry? If you enjoyed A Raisin in the Sun, you'll also find this a gratifying and worthwhile read.
Feb 18, 2015
Lisa
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
autobiographies
,
melanin-book-club-read
Love the way she writes - very relatable, as if you were on the journey with her. Inspiring and sad.
a lot of really great writing but not a complete thought. i can't believe they staged this.
Dec 28, 2007
Aichlee
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
everyone i know.
Shelves:
favorites
huge literary crush on this lady. she was such a talented artist and writer.
This is the book that made me fall in love with Lorraine Hansberry.
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Lorraine Vivian Hansberry (May 19, 1930 – January 12, 1965) was an American playwright and writer. Hansberry inspired Nina Simone's song "To Be Young, Gifted and Black".
She was the first black woman to write a play performed on Broadway. Her best known work, the play "A Raisin in the Sun," highlights the lives of Black Americans living under racial segregation in Chicago. Hansberry's family had st ...more
More about Lorraine Hansberry...
She was the first black woman to write a play performed on Broadway. Her best known work, the play "A Raisin in the Sun," highlights the lives of Black Americans living under racial segregation in Chicago. Hansberry's family had st ...more
“I wish to live beacause life has within it that which is good, that which is beautiful, and that which is love. Therefore, since I have known all of these things, I have found them to be reason enough and--I wish to live. Moreover, because this is so, I wish others to live for generations and generations and generations and generations.”
—
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“Of love and my parents, there is little to be written; their relationship to their children was utilitarian. We were fed and housed and dressed and outfitted with more cash than our associates and that was all. We were also vaguely taught certain vague absolutes: that we were better than no one but infinitely superior to everyone...”
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