Black Friend: On Being a Better White Person

The Black Friend is THE book everyone needs to read right now...Read it, absorb it, and be changed because of it.” —Angie Thomas, author of The Hate U Give

From the perspective of the friend everyone should have, Frederick Joseph offers an essential read for white people who want to be better about race—and people of color who long to see their experiences validated.

“We don’t see color.” “I didn’t 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 didn’t 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 author’s 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.

Prietenul negru este cartea pe care toata lumea trebuie sa o citeasca chiar acum ... Cititi-o, absorbiti-o si schimbati din cauza ei. " --Angie Thomas, autorul cartii The Hate U Give Din perspectiva prietenului pe care ar trebui sa-l aiba toata lumea, Frederick Joseph ofera o lectura esentiala pentru persoanele albe care doresc sa fie mai bune despre rasa - si pentru oamenii de culoare care doresc sa-si vada experientele validate.