I am glad that I read that The Other Black Girl is Black Social Satire because that gave me a lens through which to interpret this book. It was also helpful to have seen Jordan Peele’s Get Out before reading. The story starts out seeming like realistic fiction when we meet the protagonist, Nella Rogers, the only black girl working for a major New York publisher named Wagner. However, when Richard Wagner, chief editor, hires another black girl, Hazel, the story becomes more of a horror tale of how office dynamics shift when there is more than one black woman on staff. The OBG (other black girl) becomes a fast friend to Nella, and then strange things begin happening, and Nella begins to feel unwelcome and threatened in a career position that has been challenging yet comfortable for her. When Nella speaks her mind about how she views a black character in a new novel written by one of Wagner’s best-selling authors, one must wonder whether Nella should fear for her life.
Without revealing all of the plot elements, it is safe to say that this novel is about black culture and code-switching. Black hair, including characteristics, styles, and products, plays an important role. It is a cautionary tale about white power structures, stereotypes, and microaggressions. The author also has much to say about tokenism, diversity training, and overt and subtle racism.
Of course, in addition to being black, Nella is a woman. The office dynamics of many women working in an office headed by a male are also explored in Harris’s story. Workplace bullying, intimidation, and angst are prominent themes. Through Nella’s friend Malaika, there is an interesting depiction of female friendships. Nella has a white boyfriend, Owen, and that gives the reader a window into interracial relationships. It was amazing that she was able to cover so much in one novel. Please read it with an open mind, and it is thoroughly thought-provoking.
