You Can't Touch My Hair cover art

You Can't Touch My Hair

And Other Things I Still Have to Explain

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About this listen

 A NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLER • "A must-read…Phoebe Robinson discusses race and feminism in such a funny, real, and specific way, it penetrates your brain and stays with you." –Ilana Glazer, co-creator and co-star of Broad City

A hilarious and timely essay collection about race, gender, and pop culture from upcoming comedy superstar and 2 Dope Queens podcaster Phoebe Robinson

Being a black woman in America means contending with old prejudices and fresh absurdities every day. Comedian Phoebe Robinson has experienced her fair share over the years: she's been unceremoniously relegated to the role of "the black friend," as if she is somehow the authority on all things racial; she's been questioned about her love of U2 and Billy Joel ("isn’t that . . . white people music?"); she's been called "uppity" for having an opinion in the workplace; she's been followed around stores by security guards; and yes, people do ask her whether they can touch her hair all. the. time. Now, she's ready to take these topics to the page—and she’s going to make you laugh as she’s doing it.

Using her trademark wit alongside pop-culture references galore, Robinson explores everything from why Lisa Bonet is "Queen. Bae. Jesus," to breaking down the terrible nature of casting calls, to giving her less-than-traditional advice to the future female president, and demanding that the NFL clean up its act, all told in the same conversational voice that launched her podcast, 2 Dope Queens, to the top spot on iTunes. As personal as it is political, You Can't Touch My Hair examines our cultural climate and skewers our biases with humor and heart, announcing Robinson as a writer on the rise.

Read by the Author, and featuring additional narration by Jessica Williams and John Hodgson

Featured on Refinery 29's list of "The Best Books Of 2016 So Far" Americas Black & African American Entertainment & Celebrities Social Sciences United States Comedy Funny Witty Heartfelt Royalty
All stars
Most relevant
Great story and a wonderful concept would recommend to all dreamers, creators and supporters of Black Women doing the dam thing!!

Great

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I am a straight white man living a middle class life in the UK. I know very little about life from a black perspective or a woman's perspective or indeed from any perspective other than the automatically-privileged one that I hold. But I wanted to learn more, one because it's important, and two because as a writer I want to write better black characters.

This book is incredibly insightful and powerful, while also being excellent and witty comedy. It's also incredibly sincere. I liked the free-flowing structure too, especially the parts done as letters to a future female president, and to Phoebe's niece for when she's older. I'm not much of a podcastee, but I will definitely check out Phoebe's other work. She is incredibly talented and I'm now a huge fan.

Thanks for all you do Phoebe, and I'm sorry on behalf of all white men that life is harder for people of colour and for women. I will always be an ally and use my automatic privilege to fight for the cause.

As Phoebe says this book is really just a primer on the black experience, and I intend to learn more.

Funny, educational and eye-opening

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Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

The book offers readers a unique insight into a variety of issues. The author is unapologetically black, female, smart, funny. Why would she need to apologise for those things, you may ask. You can find the answer to that and many other important questions in this book.

What did you like best about this story?

There were really funny bits but also parts that made you think. She talks about at times having to sugarcoat her opinions with jokes (and make it work) but she is just as good at giving you things straight.

Who might you have cast as narrator instead of Phoebe Robinson and John Hodgman ?

Overall I liked the narration. My only issue was that I thought certain things should never be uttered by anyone over the age of 12. Examples: the 12-second-long "Duuuuuuuuuuuuuuude" half way through the book. I almost stopped there, I was tempted to just read the rest of it. You are American, we get it. It mostly bothered me because to me it felt like an effort to take the edge off jokes that were meant to address serious issues. Considering everything she says about women being punished for being smart and people of colour having to constantly mind white people's feelings, it felt rather contradictory.

Could you see You Can't Touch My Hair being made into a movie or a TV series? Who would the stars be?

Absolutely, preferably a TV show. Obviously Phoebe Robinson should be in it. And U2.

Any additional comments?

You should stick it out and listen to what the author has to say, ESPECIALLY if you feel uncomfortable.

Funny, insightful, too many Americanisms

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Most memorable moments were the chapters about Uppity and the "Angry Black Woman" trope. Loved the pop culture riffs.
(Prince is not biracial fwiw but I'm sure many ppl have pointed this out). Phoebe Robinson is a very personable narrator but maybe a tad heavy on the acronyms hashtag talk. Thankfully her content is gold.
/old

Funny and insightful

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I first was introduced to Phoebe Robinson as I listen to Two Dope Queens.

To me this read like an extra long version of the pod.

If you are not familiar with TDQ you may not find this book entertaining. .

I liked the essays particularly the hair one. And the list of mixed race people.

Funny in parts

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