Dear Black Boy: A collection of truths from the African American male perspective

by Tadean Page

Dear Black Boy highlights some of the common situations, issues, and occurrences within the African American male experience that we do not discuss enough. It is through various forms of storytelling that we grow, learn, and reach a level of liberation. As the characters within this book reach a sense of freedom, hopefully you are liberated and will get a glimpse of our truth. Be free.

82 pages, Paperback

Published April 9, 2018

Reviews

[Tia Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let me start by first saying 'Thank You!' to the author. The fact that you took the time to have a conversation with a diverse pool of African-American males about their journey of becoming who they are is amazing. I had to pause and absorb after each story. If it made me feel this way, imagine how it made the person going through feel. If only within our community every African-American male had a chance to share their story; there could be some serious healing. Speaking the truth silences self-doubt and those that have harmed you.

That theme of being silenced and tough is still affixed with African-Americans as a whole. We are expected to weather any signs of adversity with an unbothered approach. We are supposed to be void of any feelings, because remember as history has it we weren't considered human. That's a slave mentality. The frustrating part about it is the same anguish the world projects on us is also the same treatment we often get from our own people.

If this is your first book I cannot wait to see the growth with your writing overtime. I rate this 5 stars for the content. Yes, it was an easy and quick read but it does not diminish the value the stories hold. These collection of stories may inspire someone else to be bold and "Run free" as the author puts it. Thank You for telling these stories. Thank You for giving these men a safe place to harbor their feelings. Thank You for listening and not judging.


And to MY beautiful, loving, courageous, intelligent, sensitive, bold, and creative African-American men.... I. LOVE. YOU. It hurts my soul that in most of these stories what was needed was someone to love you just the way that you are.

Dear Black Boy, you are enough. Dear Black Boy, I see you. Dear Black Boy, you matter even when the world shows you that you don't. Dear Black Boy, it's a God given gift to dream. So, dream and dream often.

[Jim Robles · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really do not know why this book did not work better for me. Perhaps it was just too easy a read. Telling stories is an important part of communicating the reality of our lives, but somehow this did not connect with me.

I think it was given a good review in something I read, but I am unable to recover the source.

[Tabitha James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mr. Page does an amazing job at displaying various perspectives of the African American male. I recommend this book for males and females, especially those in the realms of education, diversity and leadership.

[Abby · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. I really appreciated these essays on the lives of young black men in America, the ways they’re portrayed, and the struggles they face.