The author would like to thank Jud Laghi, my agent, for so often going above and beyond the typical agent responsibilities. Stephanie Chan, my editor, for making the process as smooth as possible. Everyone else at Crown/Three Rivers, Nora, Jonathan, Campbell, Catherine, and Tina for their insight, counsel, and feedback.

I’d like to thank my friends and family, my father, Cathy, Lyneth, George, Betty, Les for being supportive, and not raising me to think about race too much (helps for ironic distance!). Kaci, Toony, Dave, Melissa (2), Vanessa, Sunshine, Jeff, and all of you who I’m probably going to have drinks with tonight. Dana Marino (and The Marino Clan) for being a lovely wonderful light in my life. Kathleen Isaac, for all the fried chicken and chocolate-chip cookies, help with book reports, and tap dancing (the formal recital is next!).

Street-cred dap goes to Jesse Oxfeld for breaking me on Gawker and Chris Mohney for breaking the “Ghetto Pass” column. Will Leitch, Choire Sicha, and others who have offered a helping ear, e-mail, or edit. Thanks to all the readers and bloggers who have linked, clicked, read The Assimilated Negro. Surprise, bitches! Holla!

Last but not least I’d like to thank Barack and Michelle Obama for providing a gold standard that every Negro, black, brown, white, yellow, or otherwise can aspire to. You got my vote for 2012 (there I said it, deal with it).