White Nigger: The Struggles and Triumphs Growing up Bi-Racial in America

by Jason C. Bost

From high school dropout and convicted drug dealer, to successful entertainment industry executive, eventual law school graduate, and college professor, this is the true inspirational journey exploring the ups & downs of growing up bi-racial in America.

Genres: Memoir

408 pages, Paperback

Published October 12, 2017

Reviews

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jason Bost’s memoir puts the spotlight on the personal experience that is often lost in the political discourse surrounding racism and poverty in the United States. He takes the reader with him on his difficult journey growing up biracial and poor and expands one’s idea of what it means to be the “other” wherever you are, both the advantages and disadvantages.

While I easily empathized with his difficult childhood, I had to be patient with him through his adolescence and young adulthood because it wasn’t always pretty, often frustrating and sometimes uncomfortable to witness. I would become angry at him, and then angry at the failures of the systems meant to support every individual in our society, not just to support those who are white and/or living on the right side of town. When we tell our stories we aim to be honest and transparent but we often present the best of who we think we are or want others to see. Jason courageously shows us the complicated and often contradictory nature of who he was on his journey to becoming a man –vain and caring, womanizing and respectful, resilient and defeatist, loving and distant, innocent and calculating. His story at once gives me hope and great concern. He is an exceptional human being but what does it say about our country that if you are a minority and poor you must be exceptional to achieve even the most humble version of the American Dream.

White Nigger isn’t an easy read at times but it is powerful, inspiring and, most importantly, invites us to have an honest discussion about the racism in which we all take part. Thank you Jason for sharing your story. May it open minds, change hearts and serve as strength to others who struggle to find their place in this world.

[Naba1903yahoo.com · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had not read a book in a while, but White Nigger by Jason Bost drew my attention and I am glad I decided to read it. Jason describes his journey growing up bi-racial in this country in a vey descriptive, easy to read and informal style. He was very honest telling his story about the poor decision making in the early years of his childhood and teenage life due to his lack of identity and feeling of foreignness in many environments. Those poor choices took him on a roller coaster that later compromised his life on many occasions. Jason inspires the reader by describing his experience of turning his life around using education and his very strong will to make something different and positive with his life despite all the obstacles and barriers he encountered. White Nigger is entertaining, educational and inspirational. A must read book.

[traci p gruschow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Real life story of life in the inner city of Rochester from the author's perspective. Very raw and honest. No sugar coating here. I would recommend the book to anyone working in education, public health and services, or anyone who cares about the human race.