My personal journey with White Privilege and finding my voice in becoming anti-racist has been and still is an ongoing process. I was floored when I read Stamped and other texts that challenged the worldview that I was familiar with. One of the things I kept wishing and looking for was a practical application of what to do next. How to take these new ideas and start doing something about it. This book was that practical approach. I appreciated the frankness of his writing in so many ways. I also have a new Spotify playlist that is ever-growing to ensure that I make an effort to continue to learn and grow.
“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.
Candlewick, Amazon
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