Who wasWho was JohnJohn

Howard Howard Griffin?Griffin?

John Howard GriffinJohn Howard Griffin Born: June 16, 1920 Died: September 9, 1980Born: June 16, 1920 Died: September 9, 1980

Fall of 1959, he began his journey (age 39).Fall of 1959, he began his journey (age 39).He was "haunted" by these questions: He was "haunted" by these questions:

"If a white man became a Negro in the Deep South, what adjustments "If a white man became a Negro in the Deep South, what adjustments would he have to make? What is it like to experience discrimination would he have to make? What is it like to experience discrimination

based on skin color, something over which one has no control?"based on skin color, something over which one has no control?"

Griffin used the sun lamp treatment along with Griffin used the sun lamp treatment along with prescribed pills to darken his skin.prescribed pills to darken his skin.

A Southern ChildhoodA Southern Childhood

A Classical EducationA Classical Education

Griffin at age Griffin at age 18, as a 18, as a medical medical student in student in Tours, Tours, France, France, 1938.1938.

A Stranger in Strange LandsA Stranger in Strange Lands

Griffin with Griffin with Vutha, Chief of Vutha, Chief of the Solomons, the Solomons, 1945.1945.

Sgt. John Howard GriffinSgt. John Howard Griffin

In 1946 he was mustered out of the Army Air Force.In 1946 he was mustered out of the Army Air Force.At this point he was legally blind.At this point he was legally blind.

A promotional photograph of the blind author of A promotional photograph of the blind author of The Devil Rides OutsideThe Devil Rides Outside (1952). (1952).

He also wrote He also wrote Handbook Handbook for Darknessfor Darkness, a study , a study “especially prepared for “especially prepared for those who are in close those who are in close contact with the blind,” contact with the blind,” and intended for those who and intended for those who were not “visually were not “visually impaired” but perceptually impaired” but perceptually impaired by their impaired by their unquestioned social unquestioned social attitudes toward the attitudes toward the sightless.sightless.

A Frozen StateA Frozen State

In 1955, the now In 1955, the now diabetic, Griffin’s diabetic, Griffin’s legs became legs became paralyzed and spent paralyzed and spent most of that year in a most of that year in a wheelchair. His wheelchair. His diagnosis was spinal diagnosis was spinal malaria, which he malaria, which he had contracted in the had contracted in the South Seas.South Seas.

So what did So what did John Howard John Howard Griffin actually Griffin actually look like as a look like as a black man?black man?

Griffin found an invaluable guide in Sterling Williams, Griffin found an invaluable guide in Sterling Williams, proprietor of a shoeshine stand near Jackson Square. He proprietor of a shoeshine stand near Jackson Square. He shared his secret with Williams, who nevertheless remained shared his secret with Williams, who nevertheless remained skeptical that Griffin was really white.skeptical that Griffin was really white.

Griffin’s EffigyGriffin’s Effigy

Photograph of the Photograph of the effigy at the effigy at the Mansfield dump. Mansfield dump. Griffin’s reaction on Griffin’s reaction on seeing it was, “It’s not seeing it was, “It’s not a very good likeness.” a very good likeness.” (Photograph by (Photograph by Griffin)Griffin)

Griffin died Griffin died at age 60.at age 60.

In the realm of the human, when In the realm of the human, when the I-and-Thou relationship is the I-and-Thou relationship is translated into the I-and-it translated into the I-and-it relationship, then the climate is relationship, then the climate is right for every kind of injustice.right for every kind of injustice.

– –John Howard GriffinJohn Howard Griffin