The Black friend : on being a better white person

Author

Frederick Joseph

Call Number

• 305.8 J833 TEEN (CEN, EAS)

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Edition

First edition.

Publication Information

Sommerville, Massachusetts : Candlewick Press, 2020.

Physical Description

xviii, 254 pages ; 22 cm

Summary

Frederick Joseph call up race-related anecdotes from his past, explaining why they were hurtful and how he might handle things now. Each chapter features the voice of at least one artist or activist, including Angie Thomas, author of The Hate U Give; April Reign, creator of #OscarsSoWhite; Jemele Hill, sports journalist and podcast host; and eleven others. Touching on everything from cultural appropriation to power dynamics, "reverse racism" to white privilege, microaggressions to the tragic results of overt racism, this book serves as conversation starter, tool kit, and invaluable window into the life of a former "token Black kid" who now presents himself as the friend many readers need. -- adapted from inside front jacket flap.

"Part memoir, part guidebook, this title explores scenarios of interpersonal and institutional struggle to introduce the next generation of White youth to anti-racism."--Kirkus Reviews.

Contents

• We want you to see race
• We can enjoy Ed Sheeran, BTS, and Cardi B
• Certain things are racist, even if you don't know it
• You could at least try to pronounce my name correctly
• This isn't a fad : this is my culture
• So your friend is racist. What should you do?
• No. You can't. No. You shouldn't. And don't ask that
• No, I didn't get here by affirmative action (and if I did, so what?)
• Let's not do oppression olympics
• We don't care what your Black, brown, or Asian friend said was okay (F.U.B.U.)
• In the end : we don't need allies, we need accomplices
• An encyclopedia of racism
• People and things to know
• The "Black friend" playlist.