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The Black Friend: On Being a Better White Person
The Black Friend: On Being a Better White Person | Frederick Joseph
7 posts | 5 read | 4 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 theirscreating an essential read for white people who are committed anti-racists and those newly come to the cause of racial justice. We dont see color. I didnt 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 didnt see the negative impact they were having. Speaking directly to the reader, The Black Friend calls up race-related anecdotes from the authors 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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review
ChantalReads
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Mehso-so

So, I have some mixed feelings about this book. Frederick Joseph talks about a lot of things that, I think, are important to be heard, but he also says some things that are likely to turn off his intended audience (things like "this book is a gift, not an obligation" and "it isn't the duty of Black people or people of color to explain things."). These kinds of statements undermine his purpose in wanting to create a world that is more inclusive.

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PrezBookster
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Great Book! I think I personally do a good job at being an accomplice, but we can ALL DO BETTER!

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Riveted_Reader_Melissa
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Pickpick

Loved this book! It‘s the frank and deeply honest conversation with “the Black Friend” we all wish we had; the one who could be honest with us, but without putting all that emotional burden on our in-person friends to explain the often very painful stuff at the often worst times. This book keeps it real, contains some great interviews, and it‘s call for accomplices instead of allies is exactly what this time in history really needs. #MustRead

Riveted_Reader_Melissa @Litsy whoever did the book description for this one needed to look over it for typos. It was copied and pasted from somewhere that wasn‘t actually compatible. 3y
Come-read-with-me Stacked! Sounds great! 3y
MallenNC This is a good book. I read most of it and then the ebook returned to the library before I realized. I‘m waiting to get it back. 3y
See All 7 Comments
DogMomIrene @Riveted_Reader_Melissa Thanks! I actually did see this review, and I liked the interview aspect, but seeing the quotes really hit home. Just another reason I love Litsy. Sometimes I need to see several posts about a book before I‘m like, “Yeeeesssssss, that book sounds good!” 3y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa @DogMomIrene Yes, I loved the conversational style of the book. 3y
56 likes8 stack adds7 comments
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Riveted_Reader_Melissa
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An interview with Angie Thomas author of The Hate U Give.

Great point, and I thought the #SheSaid group might find this interesting too in light of our current read (Well-Read Black Girl)

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Riveted_Reader_Melissa
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Truth!

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Riveted_Reader_Melissa
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So true!!! Much of my adulthood seems to be unlearning what I learned in school. (The George Washington‘s wooden teeth story🤮, the Pilgrim story, etc).

Side note: I really like the conversational style of this one verses some others I‘ve read (like “Me and White Supremacy” or “How to Be Anti-Racist”).

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Riveted_Reader_Melissa
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If the rest of this is anything like the honestly in this Preface....this book is going to be brilliantly impactful!

Chelleo He sums it up perfectly...and it‘s a sad truth. 3y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa @Chelleo Yes! I think it‘s the most honest I‘ve read, and the most human...without overly intellectualizing, it isn‘t putting it out there with a wall between, keeping a safe distance....it‘s just honest, real...if that makes sense. 3y
41 likes2 comments