‘Black Boy Out of Time’ by Hari Ziyad

‘Black Boy Out of Time: A Memoir’ by Hari Ziyad is labeled a memoir, but it is so much more—a powerful blend of personal narrative, social critique, and healing.

Through alternating chapters, Ziyad shares their lived experience as a queer Black person, while weaving in the histories and struggles of other Black individuals. Their approach is deeply thoughtful, often citing sources and research to contextualize their insights. Interspersed are intimate letters to their younger self, grounded in inner child work and self-reflection.

The memoir delves into complex concepts like misafropedia—the social conditioning that teaches hatred of Blackness, especially towards Black children—as well as carceral dissonance.

This book is both deeply personal and unapologetically political, inviting readers to confront systemic oppression while embracing healing and identity. It’s essential reading for those seeking to understand intersectional struggles and resilience.

CW: racism, sexual abuse, substance abuse, queerphobia, trauma, child abuse, systemic oppression