Black Like Me: November 1, 1959 Summary & Analysis

Griffin arrives in New Orleans, checks his bags at a hotel, and goes out to walk the streets, eventually having a splendid meal in an upscale restaurant. He marvels at the sights of the city, since he once visited New Orleans during the ten year period in which he was blind. Now he feels that “every view [is] magical.” Enjoying his plate of huîtres variées (oysters), he wonders what life will be like once he looks like a black man. “Was there a place in New Orleans where a Negro could buy huîtres variées?” he wonders. Finishing his meal, he calls his friend, who has invited him to stay at his house—something that relieves Griffin because he anticipates “all sorts of difficulties staying in a hotel” while he goes through the process of darkening his skin.