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pattydsf's review against another edition
4.0
I picked this book up on the spur of the moment - the title caught my eye. Once I got started reading, I was very glad I gave into the impulse, although I didn't really need another book.
I found Patricia Raybon to be amazingly honest in her examination of race relations. She looks at her family, her environment and most thoroughly Raybon looks at herself.
I have not had the courage to examine myself as Raybon does. What she sees is that not just white folk are responsible for how she feels about blacks and whites. And no one but Raybon herself can decide how she should see herself in the present and in the future.
I would like to know how others see this book. Raybon seems willing to work on forgiveness and try to move forward. Is that really possible and did Raybon actually do it?
I may need to read this again.
I found Patricia Raybon to be amazingly honest in her examination of race relations. She looks at her family, her environment and most thoroughly Raybon looks at herself.
I have not had the courage to examine myself as Raybon does. What she sees is that not just white folk are responsible for how she feels about blacks and whites. And no one but Raybon herself can decide how she should see herself in the present and in the future.
I would like to know how others see this book. Raybon seems willing to work on forgiveness and try to move forward. Is that really possible and did Raybon actually do it?
I may need to read this again.
shalms's review against another edition
4.0
I appreciated her honesty, but even more was grateful for her thought process and how her wisdom showed me how much I need to learn to forgive. I'm in awe that she can find ways time and time again to meet people beyond their racism and often, cruelty.
susyflory's review
5.0
I couldn't stop reading Patricia Raybon's book, My First White Friend. She grew up in an era where she still encountered drinking fountains and entrances for whites only (on a family trip to the south) and early in her life experienced alienation and isolation because of the color of her skin. Story by story, memory by memory, Raybon creates a world where girls compare the color of their arms (lightest girl wins) and where she was taught to work harder than everyone else and never, ever show her anger (or even acknowledge it). My favorite chapter was Chapter 12, "The Affirmation," and I can't wait to go back and read it again (I don't want to spoil it for you). This is a triumphant story leavened with honesty, wisdom and grace, ending on a high point of self-acceptance and peace. This one is staying on my shelf.
pattydsf's review
4.0
I picked this book up on the spur of the moment - the title caught my eye. Once I got started reading, I was very glad I gave into the impulse, although I didn't really need another book.
I found Patricia Raybon to be amazingly honest in her examination of race relations. She looks at her family, her environment and most thoroughly Raybon looks at herself.
I have not had the courage to examine myself as Raybon does. What she sees is that not just white folk are responsible for how she feels about blacks and whites. And no one but Raybon herself can decide how she should see herself in the present and in the future.
I would like to know how others see this book. Raybon seems willing to work on forgiveness and try to move forward. Is that really possible and did Raybon actually do it?
I may need to read this again.
I found Patricia Raybon to be amazingly honest in her examination of race relations. She looks at her family, her environment and most thoroughly Raybon looks at herself.
I have not had the courage to examine myself as Raybon does. What she sees is that not just white folk are responsible for how she feels about blacks and whites. And no one but Raybon herself can decide how she should see herself in the present and in the future.
I would like to know how others see this book. Raybon seems willing to work on forgiveness and try to move forward. Is that really possible and did Raybon actually do it?
I may need to read this again.
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