A hilarious and satirical look at race relations that is almost too close for comfort, this pseudo-guidebook gives both renters and rentals "much-needed" advice and tips on technique. Reframing actual stories, techniques, requests, and responses gathered from the author's more than 30 years of research and experience, tips are provided in step-by-step outlines for renters to get the most for their money, and how rentals can become successful and wealthy, what they should wear, and topics of conversation to avoid. The book also serves up photo-dramatizations of some of the popular approaches covered in the book, handy tip-boxes, frequently asked questions for renters and rentals, a "How do I know if I'm being rented" quiz, a glossary of important terms, and "quickie" insta-rentals for those who need to rent on the go. Punctuated by quotes from former renters, and featuring rental diaries based on real encounters, this satire shocks and amuses, presenting a strikingly stark mirror of human relationships.
damali ayo is a dynamic personality, author, artist, speaker and host. Her books play with American culture and human relations. She helps her readers to think and grow while laughing at themselves. Her issue-driven art has been exhibited internationally and from coast to coast. She speaks to colleges across the country, launched the first sliding-scale, eco-friendly clothing company, adopted a blind dog, teaches yoga, and has grown her own food.
Her biggest joy in life is that people love to tell her their stories.
As an author, speaker, artist and host, damali ayo uses her personality and unique world view to generate dialogue that draws us together as a global community. Her best-selling book How to Rent a Negro is a satirical guidebook that explores the commodification of race relations in our culture. damali's newest book (2010) Obamistan! Land without Racism has been described as "laying bare the fact that we are not in a postracial world just yet with great warmth, sincerity, sophistication about the experiences of different groups and a sense of hope and optimism -- something that sometimes feels completely missing among progressives these days."
damali grew up in Washington DC, and has lived in Rhode Island, Maine, Illinois, Oregon, and California. She has a Bachelors in Art from Brown University in a dual concentration of Public Policy and American Civilization. She also holds a Masters in Fine Art from Portland State University in Studio Art. She is a Reiki master and yoga instructor. damali is an avid gardener and grows her own food and medicinal herbs. She strives to live a life in harmony with principles of sustainability, though she has a weakness for NASCAR. She can sometimes be caught playing a mean air cello to Beethoven's fifth symphony, or having dance parties to Bollywood hits in her living room. She currently lives in Los Angeles with her blind adopted dog, Stevie.
Please visit damali's web site at damaliayo.com
