A Friendly Challenge

The Black Friend: On Being a Better White Person by Frederick Joseph

Somerville, Mass. : Candlewick Press, 2020.

xviii, 254 p. ; 22 cm. 

This is a great addition to anti-racist books that have been and are being published in recent years.  It's a book by a Black man (one of those super successful, productive and energetic under 30 types that makes people like me feel like a slow, old turtle. Check out his bio here.) It's a welcome addition because - even though it hits hard at white privilege and white supremacy - it is not a "how to" book or a book meant to drop a heavy guilt trip on white people. Instead, Joseph, invites white readers (like me) in on glimpses into his life and how racism has shaped it, and like a good host at a party introduces you to various anti-racist artists and activists though his interview/conversations with them.  He also knows how to drop in funny asides and nudges to go and learn more about Black history and Black culture.  

He does all this in a mere 254 pages and it's no small accomplishment.  The book even concludes with rich end matter: an "encyclopedia of racism" section, a people and things to know section, a playlist section, endnotes and an index! 

I think it would be a great book for high school readers. It would be a good discussion starter on topics such as systemic racism, Black Lives Matter, microaggressions, affirmative action, etc.  His use of anecdotal stories from his own life makes a lot of the learning feel personal and genuine.  Finally his book is a heartfelt call to white readers to become accomplices in dismantling white racism and white supremacy. 

The only thing I found wanting in this book was a recognition of class oppression and how white folks might want to consider that dismantling white supremacy could go a long way toward more economic justice for everyone.  But beyond that, I think Joseph's book is a must for high school libraries. Can you tell I enjoyed this book? Yes I did.

Still Our America

Our America: Life and Death on the South Side of Chicago by LeAlan Jones and Lloyd Newman, with David Isay
New York : Washington Square Press : Pocket Books, c1997.
203 p. : ill. ; 24 cm.

This book is one that is being used as a major text in classes at our high school - part of an "Injustice Project" unit. I wanted to read it since I wondered if it might be dated - having been produced from 1993 - 1996 and published in 1997.

In spite of the book being 20+ years old, it was a compelling read.  I really loved that the adult organizing the book, David Isay, wanted it to be the genuine work of young people who lived in the Ida B. Wells housing projects in Chicago.  The book came out of an award winning WBEZ radio program Ghetto Life 101 which featured recordings and interviews made by the two young authors who were 13 and 14 years old when the project began.

I will be curious how students respond to the book.  A lot has changed since the mid 90s: the high rise projects of the book have been torn down, the crack/cocaine violence has been replaced by other inner city violence, the Internet was a baby, and cell phones did not exist.  A lot is still relevant though - extreme poverty and unemployment falling heavily on Black people, gun crime, wealth inequality, etc.  Also the book just pulls you into the world of the the two authors - they are smart, unpretentious, honest, and aware.  Also the book features great photos by John Brooks, another young man living in the Chicago projects at the time.

I am going to keep my eyes out for something similar to this book, but one that is more contemporary - something like Bus 57.  However, if asked for an interesting read about inner city life in the late 20th century, I'll definitely recommend Our America.