Black in Blues

How a Color Tells the Story of My People

By: Imani Perry

Narrated by: Imani Perry

FINALIST, LA TIMES BOOK PRIZE IN AUDIOBOOK NAMED A MOST ANTICIPATED BOOK BY: Time, USA Today, People, AARP, Today.com, BookRiot, Bustle, LitHub, BookPage, Our Culture, and Vulture

A surprising and beautiful meditation on the color blue—and its fascinating role in Black history and culture—from National Book Award winner Imani Perry

Throughout history, the concept of Blackness has been remarkably intertwined with another color: blue. In daily life, it is evoked in countless ways. Blue skies and blue water offer hope for that which lies beyond the current conditions. But blue is also the color of deep melancholy and heartache, echoing Louis Armstrong’s question, “What did I do to be so Black and blue?” In this book, celebrated author Imani Perry uses the world’s favorite color as a springboard for a riveting emotional, cultural, and spiritual journey—an examination of race and Blackness that transcends politics or ideology.

Perry traces both blue and Blackness from their earliest roots to their many embodiments of contemporary culture, drawing deeply from her own life as well as art and history: The dyed indigo cloths of West Africa that were traded for human life in the 16th century. The mixture of awe and aversion in the old-fashioned characterization of dark-skinned people as “Blue Black.” The fundamentally American art form of blues music, sitting at the crossroads of pain and pleasure. The blue flowers Perry plants to honor a loved one gone too soon.

Poignant, spellbinding, and utterly original, Black in Blues is a brilliant new work that could only have come from the mind of one of our greatest writers and thinkers. Attuned to the harrowing and the sublime aspects of the human experience, it is every bit as vivid, rich, and striking as blue itself.

Beautiful

I loved this, it was recommended as a follow up to Sky Full of Elephants and yes. This is the perfect compliment. Blue takes on so much meaning

Great book with great history.

Great story telling. Loved the history and the information I learned from it. It's definitely worth the listen.

The Spirituality of Blue

I really enjoyed the way Ms. Perry weaved together the stories of people throughout history in music and art to create this remarkable tapestry of the lives of Black Folks.

Tremendous

As an artist this book will go down as one of a few holy grails. Who knew the history of blue was so dense. A perfect weaving of touch points on color, history, culture, and a hell of a narrator.

Understanding Blue

Excellent listen, gave clear vision on being Black and knowing how Blue is important in our lives.