Critic Reviews
Great
Based on 3 reviews on
When the rallying cry "Black Lives Matter" was heard across the world in 2013, Andre Henry was one of the millions for whom the movement caused a political awakening and a rupture in some of his closest relationships with white people. As he began using his artistic gifts to share his experiences and perspective, Henry was aggrieved to discover that many white Americans--people he called friends and family--were more interested in debating whether racism existed or whether Henry was being polite enough in the way he used his voice.
In this personal and thought-provoking book, Henry explores how the historical divides between Black people and non-Black people are expressed through our most mundane interactions, and why this struggle won't be resolved through civil discourse, diversity hires, interracial relationships, or education. What we need is a revolution, one that moves beyond symbolic progress to disrupt systems of racial violence and inequality in tangible, creative ways.
Sharing stories from his own path to activism--from studying at seminary to becoming a student of nonviolent social change, from working as a praise leader to singing about social justice--and connecting those experiences to lessons from successful nonviolent struggles in America and around the world, Andre Henry calls on Black people and people of color to divest from whiteness and its false promises, trust what their lived experiences tell them, and practice hope as a discipline as they work for lasting change.
Jemar Tisby is a historian.
🚨TONIGHT: Join me for a conversation with @andrehenry and his debute book “All the White Friends I Couldn’t Keep” hosted by @PoliticsProse Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/pp-live-andre-henry-all-the-white-friends-i-couldnt-keep-w-jemar-tisby-tickets-262598237397 https://t.co/EiC57VG7wR
Highlights from the PW Reviews department, which reviews about 9,000 books per year, tweeted by the editors: reviews, author interviews and profiles.
'All the White Friends I Couldn’t Keep: Hope—and Hard Pills to Swallow—About Fighting for Black Lives' by Andre Henry mines his painful experiences talking with white people about anti-Black racism to chart a path forward for racial justice activists. https://t.co/4vJedh3iCz https://t.co/eLzwaY8bTm
at the intersection of faith, justice, and culture. Executive director at Christians for Social Action, God of Justice author, host of "20 Minute Takes" podcast
Reading @andrehenry's book "All the White Friends I Couldn't Keep" and it made me think of this #20minutetakes on "Black Joy". Andre, hope you are experiencing some joy these days--congrats! https://t.co/pw7awxiJfw @ChristianSocAct
"This book is militant, revelatory, and revolutionary in so many ways the world needs right now. But beware: Do not read this book if you are complacent about the status quo. These words will agitate you toward antiracist action."--Jemar Tisby, bestselling author of The Color of Compromise
"Poignant, urgent, and spot-on . . . In a narrative that is part memoir, part manifesto, and part how-to, Henry brilliantly weaves together his encounters with anti-Blackness and his political awakening with powerful observations about how nonviolent struggle can confront and transform racism. Don't miss this profoundly important book."--Erica Chenoweth, author of Civil Resistance
"I have been waiting for this book since the moment when the smartest guy in my Harvard class popped up onscreen in the form of Andre Henry, with his funky hair, smart-ass temper, and beautiful mind. From a personal journey that will inspire you to hands-on advice on how to turn your anger into practical engagement in fighting systemic racism, this book has it all."--Srdja Popovic, co-founder of the Center for Applied Nonviolent Action and Strategies
"Incisive, honest, and deeply healing, All the White Friends I Couldn't Keep is profoundly necessary. Fight your trepidation, rise to the occasion, and give this a thorough read."--Blair Imani, bestselling author of Read This to Get Smarter
"A powerful examination of white assumptions about Black people and the obstacles that stand in the way of social justice . . . Henry demonstrates how white people can be allies, first by not declaring themselves to be so but instead awaiting acknowledgment of that status by Black people."--Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
"In this rousing debut, singer-songwriter Henry mines his painful experiences talking with white people about anti-Black racism to chart a path forward for racial justice activists. . . . A timely declaration from an exciting voice, this is sure to inspire those in pursuit of radical change."--Publishers Weekly (starred review)