What Doesn't Kill You Makes You Blacker

What Doesn't Kill You Makes You Blacker is a memoir-in-essays by writer and cultural critic Damon Young. Through personal narratives and reflections, Young examines his experiences growing up and living as a Black man in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The essays cover pivotal moments and ongoing themes from Young's life, from childhood through marriage and fatherhood. Young writes about basketball, relationships, work life, and daily interactions that reveal the complexities of navigating race in America. Young addresses financial insecurity, masculinity, imposter syndrome, and other challenges with both humor and gravity. His background as co-founder of the website Very Smart Brothas informs his sharp cultural commentary and distinct voice. The collection functions as both intimate memoir and broader social critique, using personal stories to illuminate larger truths about Black identity, privilege, and survival in contemporary American society. Young's writing style balances raw honesty with wit to explore what it means to be simultaneously privileged and disadvantaged.

Readers highlight Young's raw honesty and humor in addressing racism and Black identity. Many note his ability to balance heavy topics with wit and self-deprecation. The memoir's conversational tone and Pittsburgh-specific references resonate with readers who appreciate his cultural observations. Likes: - Personal anecdotes that illuminate broader social issues - Sharp commentary on masculinity and relationships - Authentic voice and vulnerability Dislikes: - Some found the essays uneven in quality - A few readers wanted more depth on certain topics - Occasional meandering narratives Ratings: Goodreads: 4.2/5 (3,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (350+ ratings) Reader Quote: "Young manages to be both brutally honest and laugh-out-loud funny while tackling difficult subjects." - Goodreads reviewer Critical Quote: "Some essays feel incomplete or end abruptly, leaving me wanting more resolution." - Amazon reviewer

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📚 Damon Young co-founded the website Very Smart Brothas, which began as a blog in 2008 and grew to become one of the most popular Black culture sites before being acquired by Gizmodo Media Group. 🏆 The memoir won the 2020 Barnes & Noble Discover Great New Writers Award and was a finalist for the 2020 Hurston/Wright Legacy Award for Nonfiction. ✍️ Young wrote much of the book at local Pittsburgh coffee shops, particularly Commonplace Coffee in Squirrel Hill, where he would often spend entire days working on the manuscript. 🌍 The book's title is a play on Friedrich Nietzsche's famous quote "What doesn't kill me makes me stronger," reframed through the lens of Black American experience. 🎓 Despite being a successful writer and cultural critic, Young struggled with imposter syndrome throughout his career, which he candidly discusses in the book - including his feelings of inadequacy while attending Canisius College on a basketball scholarship.