'Lies About Black People' seeks to debunk myths and move forward
Host Deepa Fernandes speaks with diversity educator, poet and American University lecturer Omékongo Dibinga. In his book “Lies About Black People: How To Combat Racist Stereotypes and Why it Matters” Dibinga addresses the many myths that are held about Black people, their corrosive effects, and how to begin to overcome them.
The cover of “Lies about Black People.” (Courtesy)
Book excerpt: ‘Lies About Black People’
By Omékongo Dibinga
Being Black in America is like being a human lie detector. You are constantly being asked or even demanded to prove that you are truly qualified to work at your job, go to school where you do, and live where you live:
“You want to be President of The United States? Show us your college transcript.”
“You want to be a Supreme Court Justice? Show us your LSAT scores.”
“You want to be a doctor? Didn’t you only get into med school because of affirmative action?”
As Black
