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The Black Friend
The Black Friend: On Being a Better White Person | Frederick Joseph
9 posts | 9 read | 29 to read
Writing from the perspective of a friend, Frederick Joseph offers candid reflections on his own experiences with racism and conversations with prominent artists and activists about theirs—creating an essential read for white people who are committed anti-racists and those newly come to the cause of racial justice.
“We don’t see color.” “I didn’t know Black people liked Star Wars!” “What hood are you from?” For Frederick Joseph, life as a transfer student in a largely white high school was full of wince-worthy moments that he often simply let go. As he grew older, however, he saw these as missed opportunities not only to stand up for himself, but to spread awareness to those white people who didn’t see the negative impact they were having.
Speaking directly to the reader, The Black Friend calls up race-related anecdotes from the author’s past, weaving in his thoughts on why they were hurtful and how he might handle things differently 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. Backmatter includes an encyclopedia of racism, providing details on relevant historical events, terminology, and more.
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Jen2
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Pickpick

I learned so much.

47 likes1 stack add
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IReadThereforeIBlog
Pickpick

Frederick Joseph is a writer, award-winning activist, philanthropist and marketing professional. This YA book draws on Joseph‘s and 14 other contributors‘ teen experiences to provide teaching moments to white people about the Black experience while also offering people of colour affirmation. It‘s a difficult read at times albeit a necessary one and the start of a conversation but it is short and at times I thought it needed a bit more depth.

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Deblovestoread
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Danielle, I love, love, love my swap books and gifts! Thank you so much for putting together such a great box. Thanks, Michelle, for hosting!

StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego Glad you like it. Happy reading! 4y
Chelleo Awesome #BlitsySwap package! 4y
55 likes2 comments
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Riveted_Reader_Melissa
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School cafeterias! Sad, but true.

DogMomIrene These quotes are so compelling! Looking forward to your review because I think I may need to read this one. 4y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa @DogMomIrene I actually finished it the other day, I just had a few quotes I wanted to post yet. I‘ll tag you on my review. 4y
GingerAntics That seriously needs to be a thing in every school. 4y
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Ruthiella In my high school in the ‘80s, there were teachers who let kids eat lunch in their classroom...that was our haven. 4y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa @Ruthiella 80‘s here too... I posted another quote in this area and some people said they could spend lunch on the school library. I‘ll admit, I‘m a bit jealous. 4y
LitStephanie That passage is so funny! 4y
55 likes6 comments
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Riveted_Reader_Melissa
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I loved this explanation for the young‘uns.

“No choice but to interact while they had lunch”

So true, and I‘m so old! 😂

TheBookHippie 🤣🤣🤣 same. I spent it in the library .. 4y
Velvetfur Oh gosh I hated those days! I'm so glad it's all over 😂 4y
BookwormAHN @TheBookHippie I also spent lunch in the library 😸 4y
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Riveted_Reader_Melissa @TheBookHippie & @BookwormAHN I wish that had been an option! I would have loved that. 4y
TheBookHippie @BookwormAHN kindred spirits 🤍 4y
TheBookHippie @Riveted_Reader_Melissa yes we could have all sat together in the library 🤍 4y
TheBookHippie @Velvetfur aren‘t we all!!!! 4y
LitStephanie So true! Well, actually the "back hall" at my school served most of those functions. Good thing high school social status has nothing to do with your future life or else many of us would have been doomed! 4y
46 likes9 comments
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Lovesbooks87
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THIS BOOK SHOULD BE REQUIRED READING!!!! Frederick the author speaks directly to the reader in this book. Talking about how we should be an accomplice in anti-racism and not a bystander. Each chapter features at least one voice from an artist or an activist. This book was very eye opening!

#bookspinbingo free space

Riveted_Reader_Melissa Finally read it, and I agree...great book! 4y
53 likes11 stack adds2 comments
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BookwormDownUnder
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My November reads. Loved most of them. Take Me Apart and White Fragility we‘re only ok and Bookishness was too academic. The rest were awesome!! What did you read in Nov?

#novemberwrapup #goodreads