NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
""[A] scorching treatise on toxic masculinity. Josephâs critiques of âthe patriarchy... both overt and ingrainedâ are razor-sharp, but itâs the clear-eyed reckoning of his own place within it that tethers the soul of his book."" âPublishers Weekly
""Joseph has learned a great deal from bell hooks here, and I think she would be proud because Patriarchy Blues is such a moving, inspiring, rigorous vision for living.â âRobert Jones, Jr., New York Times bestselling author of The Prophets
In this personal and poignant collection, the author of the New York Times bestseller The Black Friend examines the culture of masculinity through the lens of a Black man.
What does it mean to be a man today? How does the pervasive yet elusive idea of âtoxic masculinityâ actually reflect menâs experiencesâparticularly those of colorâand how they navigate the world?
In this thought-provoking collection of essays, poems, and short reflections, Frederick Joseph contemplates these questions and more as he explores issues of masculinity and patriarchy from both a personal and cultural standpoint. From fatherhood, and âmanning upâ to abuse and therapy, he fearlessly and thoughtfully tackles the complex realities of menâs lives today and their significance for society, lending his insights as a Black man.
Written in Josephâs unique voice, with an intelligence and raw honesty that demonstrates both his vulnerability and compassion, Patriarchy Blues forces us to consider the joys, pains, and destructive nature of manhood and the stereotypes it engenders.