Read it, absorb it, and be changed because of it. Frederick Joseph has written an essential window into the movement toward anti-racism. The Black Friend is THE book everyone needs to read right now. Julie Klam, New York Times best-selling author With clear, powerful prose and a gentle dose of humor, The Black Friend is essential reading for anyone wishing to be part of a better world. Kendi, author of Stamped from the Beginning, on NPR's Morning Edition From cultural appropriation to power dynamics, 'reverse racism' to white privilege, this book is a conversation starter, tool kit, and window into the life of a former 'token Black kid.' Back matter includes an encyclopedia of racism, including details on historical events and terminology.įor young white people who want to be better, who want to be anti-racist, who want to be people who are striving to recognize and even take down the structures of racism. Each chapter also features the voice and experience of an artist or activist, including Angie Thomas, author of The Hate U Give April Reign, creator of #OscarsSoWhite and Jemele Hill, sports journalist and podcast host. Here, Joseph speaks to the reader as he wishes he'd spoken to his friends, unpacking hurtful race-related anecdotes from his past and sharing how he might handle things differently now. When he grew older, he saw them as missed opportunities to stand up for himself and bring awareness to those who didn't see the hurt they caused. 'We don't see color.' 'I didn't know Black people liked Star Wars!' 'What hood are you from?' As a student in a largely white high school, Frederick Joseph often simply let wince-worthy moments go. Description 'A hard-hitting resource for action and change.' - Booklist (starred review)

The Black Friend by Frederick Joseph