[vc_row 0=””][vc_column][vc_column_text 0=””]Charlamagne Tha God’s book tour for “Black Privilege: Opportunity Comes to Those Who Create It” — a New York Times best-seller fashioned as a self-help guide for millennials — rolled through D.C. last week, as young adults of varied shades flocked to the Capitale in Northwest for a chance to hear the popular radio personality elaborate on his eight principles for success.
Acclaimed journalist and political analyst Angela Rye moderated the May 4 event, opening up the segment with two principal questions: What is black privilege? And does this privilege exist for every black person?
“It is a privilege to be black,” Charlamagne said. “When you talk about being black, I believe that it is something spiritual and not necessarily systemic, like with white people. [Black people] are attached to a divine system that has made us as a people, able to prosper in a country that has been made to oppress us. So yes, black privilege does exist and every black person has it. It just becomes a matter of knowing how to tap into it.”
During the two-hour book signing and discussion, Charlamagne dropped additional jewels from his book, including encouraging youth to recognize good opportunities not necessarily associated with a paycheck, focusing on one’s own passions and the power that comes with devoting adequate time to chasing one’s “hustle.”
Rawan Shaat, a Virginia Commonwealth University graduate in attendance, said her favorite principle from the book is, “Always Give People the Credit they Deserve for Being Stupid, Including Yourself.”
“When I first heard about Charlamagne’s book ‘Black Privilege’ I wasn’t sure what to make of it,” Shaat said. “Though I am an American Palestinian who grew up on hip-hop culture, I was afraid that the ideas expressed would not apply to me; however after reading this book, particularly principle 7, ‘Always Give People the Credit they Deserve for Being Stupid, Including Yourself,’ I was thrilled. This book has the ability to relate to so many people and it is definitely a good read [and] self-help guide for all millennials.”
Throughout the book, readers can expect a winding journey filled with real-life experiences, as Charlamagne writes about his humble beginnings from Moncks Corner, South Carolina, to his internship with radio and TV personality Wendy Williams, to his current role as the outspoken host of the nation’s top syndicated hip-hop radio show, “The Breakfast Club,” with a life lesson attached to the end of every chapter/principle.
“This book is an American come-up story. A black come-up story, a rural come-up story,” Charlamagne said. “This book isn’t a blueprint to be the next Charlamagne or to even be in radio. This is just a blueprint to find your way in America and find what makes you happy and work towards that. … It is definitely an interesting story that will empower you.”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]