Irony of Color
The success of Black Like Me, which is written by a White man about the African-American experience, is in itself ironic. At the time the text was published, African-American people had been remarking and complaining for years about ongoing second-class status and racist behavior particularly in the South, parts of which were still segregated. Yet when a White journalist said the same thing, people listened and took the problem seriously.
Irony on the Bus
The "hate stare" which Griffin experiences from White people, particularly women, is a contemptuous glare. He gradually becomes accustomed to it. But when he instinctively stands up to give his seat to a White woman, intending to show the same kind of politeness he would show to anyone else, he is rebuked for his presumptuousness. His gesture of kindness has results that are the exact opposite of his intent.
Irony of Silence
Since Griffin at first believes that his voice will give away his disguise, he silences himself by speaking as little as possible. Instead of being silenced or ignored by others, which is something he definitely expects, he keeps his own mouth shut until he realizes that his transformation is so complete that even his casual friends don't recognize him.
Irony of Baldness
Griffin shaves off all of his hair, which is spoiling his disguise. He happens to have straight hair that is not at all convincing compared to the kind of hair most African-Americans have, which tends to curl more. He is too young to be completely bald by nature, so shaving his head comes across as an advertisement of sexual virility and availability. His scalp therefore attracts attention anyway.
Irony of Manners
Griffin notices that when the African-American people he meets speak to one another, particularly when no White people are present they are extremely polite. They use the same respectful language and show one another respect through courtesies, sometimes elaborate courtesies, in order to build one another up emotionally. Griffin speculates that perhaps one of the reasons they do so is as an antidote to the relentless discourtesy they experience from White people. Yet it is also ironic that a group of men who are among the poorest of the poor, who could be excused for being barely above animals in terms of social graces, are among the most polite and well-mannered people he has ever seen. While sharing a meal made of discarded fish heads, they display the same manners and courtesy as Griffin would have expected at an upper-class meal. At a time when most of American society is rejecting formality, these men embrace it and exaggerate it as a way to show one another respect.
