I Take My Coffee Black: Reflections on Tupac, Musical Theater, Faith, and Being Black in America
- Downloads：1049
- Type：Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
- Create Date：2021-09-15 18:21:06
- Update Date：2025-09-06
- Status：finish
- Author：Tyler Merritt
- ISBN：B097NNZHRM
- Environment：PC/Android/iPhone/iPad/Kindle
Reviews
Laurie McRitchie Eden
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I absolutely loved this book！First， it's funny， you can hear the writer's personality come through his written words。 Second， it's an education。 Not only what it's like being Black in America， but a strong man who feels that his faults and past haunt him。 Most importantly his message and reason why he wrote the book are he wants to truly want to BUILD a better world where humans create genuine empathy。 He truly wants people to see past color， size， and honestly get to know a person before judgme I absolutely loved this book！First， it's funny， you can hear the writer's personality come through his written words。 Second， it's an education。 Not only what it's like being Black in America， but a strong man who feels that his faults and past haunt him。 Most importantly his message and reason why he wrote the book are he wants to truly want to BUILD a better world where humans create genuine empathy。 He truly wants people to see past color， size， and honestly get to know a person before judgment。 If you are looking for a book to make you smile， laugh， and make you think， I highly recommend "I Take My Coffee Black"。。。 。。。more
Joann
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This is hands down one of my favourite books I’ve ever read。。。and I’ve read lots。This book is pure gold。Tyler Merritt is a super gifted story teller who has this ability to make you laugh， choke up， and be in awe， all at the same time。 In his book “I Take My Coffee Black，” Tyler invites you to sit with him as he shares the good， the not-so-good， and the down right ugliness of his life and the world we live in。 How did we get here？ How did I get here？ Can we talk about it？ It’s a book filled with This is hands down one of my favourite books I’ve ever read。。。and I’ve read lots。This book is pure gold。Tyler Merritt is a super gifted story teller who has this ability to make you laugh， choke up， and be in awe， all at the same time。 In his book “I Take My Coffee Black，” Tyler invites you to sit with him as he shares the good， the not-so-good， and the down right ugliness of his life and the world we live in。 How did we get here？ How did I get here？ Can we talk about it？ It’s a book filled with intimate stories， interesting experiences， fascinating statistics， and history lessons。 It’s a page turner。 With each page， each chapter， you are invited to know a person in a way that leaves you better off than when you came。 Tyler Merritt has a way of speaking to your soul even if it’s about unspeakable things。 The front cover of his book says， “reflections on Tupac， musical theatre， faith， and being black in America，” which is accurate。 But this book， dear friend， is so much more。 You will find yourself smiling， laughing， learning， and doing some mighty reflecting of your own。 This is a book for those who want to be challenged and inspired。This is a book that will open your eyes， pierce your heart， and feed your soul。This is a book for those wanting to leave this world better than they found it。Tyler Merritt， you are a gem of a person。And your book “I Take My Coffee Black” is gold。 *disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for my honest review。 。。。more
Lily
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I’m still processing everything I read。 It’s definitely an eye opener。 Sensitive topics are masterfully discussed， in a way that avoids shaming yet makes you really think about events from a different perspective。 You’re challenged to examine yourself and your attitudes。 While many people may be inclined to view this book as only about racial issues， it also talks about sexuality and religious differences that can breed misunderstandings and hostility。 It is actually far more about humanity as a I’m still processing everything I read。 It’s definitely an eye opener。 Sensitive topics are masterfully discussed， in a way that avoids shaming yet makes you really think about events from a different perspective。 You’re challenged to examine yourself and your attitudes。 While many people may be inclined to view this book as only about racial issues， it also talks about sexuality and religious differences that can breed misunderstandings and hostility。 It is actually far more about humanity as a whole and how we all should be treating each other all the time。 Additionally， it’s an easy and entertaining read。 Pick it up！！ 。。。more
Cat
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Insightful book， lots of humor and plenty of history woven into it。 I had never heard of the author before seeing this book and was intrigued enough to intice me to read his story。 Spent an afternoon reading it and gaining more insight into the black experience of Tyler Merritt。 I can imagine some experiences being heart-rending and others down right frightening。 I have known people of all races， cultures， and faiths and I know many who have had a very difficult time in the US。 It really isn't a Insightful book， lots of humor and plenty of history woven into it。 I had never heard of the author before seeing this book and was intrigued enough to intice me to read his story。 Spent an afternoon reading it and gaining more insight into the black experience of Tyler Merritt。 I can imagine some experiences being heart-rending and others down right frightening。 I have known people of all races， cultures， and faiths and I know many who have had a very difficult time in the US。 It really isn't a very friendly or tolerant nation。 I straddle two worlds and sometimes wonder at the "war zone" my family picked to settle in。 Sometimes it's just exhausting。 Mr。 Merritt's bio is a most personable and introspective read。。 Kudos Tyler Merritt！I received a Kindle arc from Netgalley in exchange for a fair review。 。。。more
Mturney1010
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"Distance breeds suspicion。 But proximity breeds empathy。" ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐At first glance， and I might not seem that compatible。 I am a small 30 something white woman whose people come from Utah and a long line of Mormon pioneers。 Tyler is a 6ft 2 40-something black man， Christian convert， who's people come from Eutaw， Alabama。 We were introduced by our dear mutual friend， Elysha， and bonded over Hamilton and politics。And that is really the point that Tyler is making in his new book I Take My Coffee Black "Distance breeds suspicion。 But proximity breeds empathy。" ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐At first glance， and I might not seem that compatible。 I am a small 30 something white woman whose people come from Utah and a long line of Mormon pioneers。 Tyler is a 6ft 2 40-something black man， Christian convert， who's people come from Eutaw， Alabama。 We were introduced by our dear mutual friend， Elysha， and bonded over Hamilton and politics。And that is really the point that Tyler is making in his new book I Take My Coffee Black， in book stores and on Amazon September 14th。 On the exterior we may not have much in common with the person next to us， but as we open our hearts and minds we see that we are more alike than different。 Tyler is a master of breaking down barriers that separate people， and finding those commonalities that forge Christ-like love and friendship。In this open and honest memoir， Tyler weaves his personal history into the backdrop of United States history。 Facts， coupled with his experience as a black man， a black son。 He does this with contemplation and levity。 Reading this book you will laugh out loud and feel as if you are having a conversation with a long time friend。 But you will also cry with this friend。 I had the opportunity to both read this in print and listen on audio。 The audiobook is read by Tyler himself， and is a quality experience。Tyler is sincere and earnest， and asserts the belief that you just can't feel animosity towards another human being if you really know them inside and out。 。。。more
Corrie Haffly
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“Proximity breeds empathy。 And with empathy， humanity has a fighting chance。” Many of you may have seen Tyler’s viral video， “Before You Call the Cops，” when it first came out in 2018， or like me， when it went viral the second time in 2020。 To me， this quote perfectly captures Tyler’s heart for why he wrote this book — to share his story， his joys， his sorrows， his mistakes， his triumphs — because “I was thinking that maybe if you got to know me， you wouldn’t be frightened。 Or better yet， maybe “Proximity breeds empathy。 And with empathy， humanity has a fighting chance。” Many of you may have seen Tyler’s viral video， “Before You Call the Cops，” when it first came out in 2018， or like me， when it went viral the second time in 2020。 To me， this quote perfectly captures Tyler’s heart for why he wrote this book — to share his story， his joys， his sorrows， his mistakes， his triumphs — because “I was thinking that maybe if you got to know me， you wouldn’t be frightened。 Or better yet， maybe you’d see that we have more in common than you thought。 Or better yet， at the end of this book， you would think to yourself， ‘Man， that Tyler Merritt。 We could kick it。 For real。’ Or at the very least， the next time a six-foot-two black man comes near， you might think to yourself: ‘Maybe he’s listening to Bring It On: The Musical’” （instead of slamming the locks down in your car or crossing to the other side of the street）。 While sharing his mostly hilarious， sometimes heartbreaking， always authentic stories， Tyler also gives us context and background about sharecropping， lynching， and other topics that help to illuminate the problems of racism in America。 I deeply appreciated his vulnerability in laying out his mistakes and flaws; his bravery and honesty was touching and inspiring。 And I also can’t count how many times I LLOLed （literally laughed out loud） while reading; I may have just slightly annoyed my husband when he tried to read his own book next to me， although he laughed out loud， too， when I would read him choice bits。 Side note for those who care - Tyler sprinkles some salty language occasionally， but if that typically bothers you， I think this book is still so worth the read: Tyler is a Jesus-lover， a people-lover， a Miss Saigon-lover， and I hope that you come to love him as much as I have through the pages of his book。 。。。more
Leslie McKee
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Review to come
Samantha Rocknowski
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As a 6'2" dreadlocked Black man， Tyler Merritt knows how to write a relatable， hilarious， inspiring book， and I say that as a 5'7" tattooed white woman。 His story has something for everyone， truly。 Even if you don't know Counting Crow's hits or have never heard a number from Miss Saigon - this book is for you。 Even if you fear bursting into flames every time you find yourself having to frequent a church or are whiter than a white teen talking back to her mom for not having enough extra caramel o As a 6'2" dreadlocked Black man， Tyler Merritt knows how to write a relatable， hilarious， inspiring book， and I say that as a 5'7" tattooed white woman。 His story has something for everyone， truly。 Even if you don't know Counting Crow's hits or have never heard a number from Miss Saigon - this book is for you。 Even if you fear bursting into flames every time you find yourself having to frequent a church or are whiter than a white teen talking back to her mom for not having enough extra caramel on her PSL - this book is for you。 Honestly， I was briefly concerned about the religious talk as someone who is deeply NON-religious， but Tyler shared every bit of himself - and big pieces are his faith - without being the least bit preachy。 I absolutely loved how American History was woven throughout the book as needed。 The lessons were succinct， impactful and flowed perfectly with the larger story so that you forgot you were actually *learning* beyond Tyler's narrative。 This is easily in my Top 10 favorite books of 2021 （and this is book 70 for the year so far）， maybe Top 10 favorites。。。 ever。 I am grateful that Tyler Merritt was willing to be so vulnerable and share his story with the world。 He's right - proximity DOES breed empathy。 This book is a great place for so many people to begin very important conversations that can help build bridges of understanding。Note- I received an advanced digital copy of this book。 These opinions are my own。 。。。more
Melinda Ryen
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I've been reading a lot of books by Black authors over the last few years。 The never-ending killings of Black people by cops was wearing me down。 I knew if this white woman was feeling it， the Black community was in deep suffering。 I had to learn more; how could I help？Tyler's book is unlike any of the books I've read so far。 He shares his personal story with great transparency， and had me laughing and crying throughout。 Reading his book feels like you're sitting across from him， having a conver I've been reading a lot of books by Black authors over the last few years。 The never-ending killings of Black people by cops was wearing me down。 I knew if this white woman was feeling it， the Black community was in deep suffering。 I had to learn more; how could I help？Tyler's book is unlike any of the books I've read so far。 He shares his personal story with great transparency， and had me laughing and crying throughout。 Reading his book feels like you're sitting across from him， having a conversation。 But wait。。。is it a history book？ Because I learned some things I wish I didn't have to， but need to， and I am not alone。Tyler's big on proximity， and he's not wrong。 The dictionary defines it as "nearness in space， time， or relationship"。 Tyler's book shows why it's so important， how it "destroys suspicion and distrust"， breeding empathy。 He has orchestrated projects that bring unlikely people together， for important， life-changing conversations。You'll laugh， you'll cry， and you'll also be encouraged by this book。 Tyler has a way of reaching through the pages to impart how special you are （yes， YOU！） I usually have about three books going at one time， and I planned to take my time with I Take My Coffee Black， savoring it in bits and pieces。 That didn't happen！ Tyler's book is hard to put down。 I'll be reading it again。 （I hear the audiobook has some treats！） 。。。more
Pat
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Tyler Merritt came to my attention through his viral video “Before You Call The Cops” where he asks us to get to know each other before making assumptions。 And Tyler wants us to get to know him and we do through his book “ I Take My Coffee Black “。 It is a memoir that simultaneously breaks and mends your heart。 One of his core beliefs is that proximity breeds empathy。 Tyler is willing to be so open and vulnerable with his memories that I cried and laughed with him。 Sometimes on the same page。 So Tyler Merritt came to my attention through his viral video “Before You Call The Cops” where he asks us to get to know each other before making assumptions。 And Tyler wants us to get to know him and we do through his book “ I Take My Coffee Black “。 It is a memoir that simultaneously breaks and mends your heart。 One of his core beliefs is that proximity breeds empathy。 Tyler is willing to be so open and vulnerable with his memories that I cried and laughed with him。 Sometimes on the same page。 So many passages resonated with me and reminded me that we all have so much more in common than we realize。 So if anyone wants to get some insight， proximity and empathy into what it’s like to be a black man in America， read this book。 In fact， everyone should want to and NEEDS to read this book。 It is written with warmth， intelligence， honest language and humor。 In addition to being currently culturally relevant， it is also full of those educational mind blowing moments about our severely flawed and painful history as a country。 （Seriously WTF past and present Tennessee？） I believe the best books change us for the better。 Tyler Merritt has written one of those books。 After reading this I feel like I have a new friend and I would love to have coffee with you Tyler。 （I received an advance copy on Net Galley。 The opinions are my own。） 。。。more
Michelle Castaneda
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I Take My Coffee Black: Reflections on Tupac， Musical Theater， Faith， and Being Black in America by Tyler Merritt is an important book that I think everyone should read。 What does it mean to be a black person in America？ I was blessed to know Tyler back in his college years。 When I saw that he was writing this book， I knew I wanted to read it because he is one of the most genuinely kind people I have ever met。 He's the real deal。 To know Tyler is to be fully embraced and accepted as you are。 Tha I Take My Coffee Black: Reflections on Tupac， Musical Theater， Faith， and Being Black in America by Tyler Merritt is an important book that I think everyone should read。 What does it mean to be a black person in America？ I was blessed to know Tyler back in his college years。 When I saw that he was writing this book， I knew I wanted to read it because he is one of the most genuinely kind people I have ever met。 He's the real deal。 To know Tyler is to be fully embraced and accepted as you are。 That's how he has always been。 Tyler somehow wrapped up his incredible personality and delivered it in the form of a book。 Reading this book is like sitting down with him for a life giving， life changing conversation。 Come as you are。 Listen to his journey。 Be willing to challenge your expectations and listen with your heart。 You'll never see things the same again。 Tyler opens your eyes with his experiences but he has a way of lifting the reader up with his encouragement and honesty。 I highly recommend this book to readers of all ages and backgrounds。 We need to read it in order to truly understand each other。 I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher with no obligations。 These opinions are entirely my own。 。。。more
Nadine Keels
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