THE AWKWARD THOUGHTS OF W. KAMAU BELL Tales of a 6' 4", African American, Heterosexual, Cisgender, Left-Leaning, Asthmatic, Black and Proud Blerd, Mama's Boy, Dad, and Stand-Up Comedian

The author, political satirist and comedian W. Kamau Bell, is the best person to narrate this look at race, gender, and sexuality in contemporary America. Bell infuses the contradictions and confusion of his youth, when he was a burgeoning intellectual, with his signature sardonic delivery, which will be familiar to fans of his CNN show. Listeners will appreciate his casual tone, which creates the impression that he's telling them the story of his life over coffee or a cocktail. However, his narrative style changes to a somber tone when he recounts his parents' experiences with Jim Crow laws. His shift in tone underscores these injustices for the contemporary listener, who will no doubt find them painful but enlightening. M.R. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2017, Portland, Maine [Published: JUNE 2017]