The Black Friend: On Being a Better White Person

"The Black Friend" is a New York Times bestselling young adult book by Frederick Joseph, offering a direct and honest exploration of racism from his personal perspective as a "token Black kid" in a predominantly white high school. Aimed at white readers aged 12-18, it delves into complex topics like microaggressions, white privilege, and cultural appropriation, weaving in interviews with influential figures like Angie Thomas. The book provides an invaluable resource for fostering anti-racist understanding and action, complete with an an "encyclopedia of racism" in the backmatter for further learning. It's designed to be a conversation starter and a practical guide for becoming a more thoughtful and effective ally.

The instant New York Times bestseller! 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 theirs—creating an essential read for white people who are committed anti-racists and those newly come to the cause of racial justice. “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.