num_pages: 272
description: From the perspective of the friend everyone should have Frederick Joseph offers an essential read for white people who want to be better about raceand people of color who long to see their experiences validated. We dont see color. I didnt know Black people liked Star Wars! What hood are you from? For Frederick Joseph life in a mostly white high school as a smart and increasingly popular transfer student 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 the white friends and acquaintances who didnt see the negative impact they were having and who would change if they knew how.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 includes the voice of at least one artist or activist including Tarell Alvin McCraney screenwriter of Moonlight; April Reign creator of #OscarsSoWhite; Angie Thomas author of The Hate U Give; 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 of us need. Back matter includes an encyclopedia of racism providing details on relevant historical events terminology and more.
language: English
title: The Black Friend: On Being a Better White Person
publisher: Candlewick Press