Thurston – great grandson of a slave, graduate of Harvard, comedian, digital director of the satirical newspaper/website The Onion and self confessed data geek – offered the packed house at Bomhard Theater something rarer than a snail darter in America: a humorous and enlightened discussion on race.
His wide ranging talk was built primarily on personal anecdotes and observations generously spiced with intelligence and wit.
And while the topic of his talk was his book “How to be Black,” Thurston also showed the audience what it is to be a creator of content in early 21st century America.
Long gone are pastoral scenes of the solitary artist with pen and paper.
Today’s writer lets strangers observe the process in real time, has a street army promoting his work, has tweets flying, gathers data on ebook sales versus printed book sales and the supply chain implications, hosts promotional parties with DJs and whiskey and gives fascinating talks in Louisville, Kentucky.
As Thurston said near the end of his talk, “There are ways to talk about race that aren’t productive. Dealing with race using humor helps start the conversation.”
I could not agree more.
Answers to the above questions for those who did not attend:
a) Monday
b) 238
c) get a Black Card
Hats off to IF for bringing another great person to Louisville.
Tom Cottingham
Tom Cottingham, Insider Louisville’s CEO, has a long track record as a lead investor and founding partner in successful Louisville businesses, including TechRepublic.com and ITBusinessEdge.com. In addition to his duties here at Insider Louisville, Tom advises entrepreneurs and investors about the best ways to create and capitalize on opportunities here in Louisville.
Click here to read other articles by Tom Cottingham.
I guess I’m a racist then. But I don’t even come close to Baratunde.
Joey Saylor
I really enjoy this web site a lot better when you can read about local businesses or issues of the moment. Lately every day it’s something about “IdealFestival”. Why are you guys pushing this so hard? No one is talking about it and hardly anyone cares. It’d be better to read about the hardships of food trucks in Louisville again. Sorry if that ticks off somebody.Then why am I commenting? Because it irks me at this point! Far as this Baron Von Tude dude, who is that again?
Tom Cottingham
Tom Cottingham at IdeaFestival: If you don’t buy Baratunde Thurston’s book ‘How to be Black,’ you’re a racist
Baratunde Thurston
What is the most racist day of the week?
How many black people were at the Republican National Convention?
How can you win any argument on race?
For answers to these questions you would have had to attend Friday’s IdeaFestival presentation by Bartaunde Thurston, author of the New York Times bestseller “How To Be Black.”
Thurston – great grandson of a slave, graduate of Harvard, comedian, digital director of the satirical newspaper/website The Onion and self confessed data geek – offered the packed house at Bomhard Theater something rarer than a snail darter in America: a humorous and enlightened discussion on race.
His wide ranging talk was built primarily on personal anecdotes and observations generously spiced with intelligence and wit.
And while the topic of his talk was his book “How to be Black,” Thurston also showed the audience what it is to be a creator of content in early 21st century America.
Long gone are pastoral scenes of the solitary artist with pen and paper.
Today’s writer lets strangers observe the process in real time, has a street army promoting his work, has tweets flying, gathers data on ebook sales versus printed book sales and the supply chain implications, hosts promotional parties with DJs and whiskey and gives fascinating talks in Louisville, Kentucky.
Not a bad life for a “happy and funny” guy from Washington Heights.
As Thurston said near the end of his talk, “There are ways to talk about race that aren’t productive. Dealing with race using humor helps start the conversation.”
I could not agree more.
Answers to the above questions for those who did not attend:
a) Monday
b) 238
c) get a Black Card
Hats off to IF for bringing another great person to Louisville.