As a white dude, I'm not too keen about saying or writing the book's title on the big ol' internet, where context and interpretation can be a little too plastic for my taste.
...On to the book: Dick Gregory's story resonated with me because, like me, he grew up broke, without a dad around, then found refuge in the sport of competitive running, and always had a humorous slant to his personality. It turns out Dick Gregory was much funnier and faster than me, so I find him inspirational--a good reason to read a book.
He writes a no-holds-barred, first-person account of growing up black in the pre-civil rights era, and being present at major civil rights events in the 1960's.
He talks about an equally-arduous struggle--becoming a successful professional comedian.
Dick Gregory had a genius sense of irony, which had a way of making powerful material palatable to a white audience.
Do read his autobiography; he was a true pioneer.
http://www.amazon.com/Nigger-Autobiography-Dick-Gregory/dp/0671735608/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1274321635&sr=1-1
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