All the White Friends I Couldn't Keep

Hope - and Hard Pills to Swallow - About Fighting for Black Lives

By: Andre Henry

Narrated by: Andre Henry

Length: 6 hrs and 52 mins

Publisher's summary

A leading voice for social justice reveals how he stopped arguing with White people who deny the ongoing legacy of racism - and offers a proven path forward for Black people and people of color based on the history of nonviolent struggle.

“A moving personal journey that lends practical insight for expanding and strengthening the global antiracist movement.” (Patrisse Khan-Cullors, co-founder of Black Lives Matter, best-selling author of When They Call You a Terrorist)

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.

©2022 Andre Henry (P)2022 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“In vivid, thoughtful prose, Andre Henry illuminates the next chapter in the fight for Black lives and our collective liberation from state-sanctioned violence and the draconian laws that we are living under in the United States and around the world. All the White Friends I Couldn’t Keep is a moving personal journey that lends practical insight for expanding and strengthening the global antiracist movement.”—Patrisse Khan-Cullors, co-founder of Black Lives Matter, bestselling author of When They Call You a Terrorist

“Andre Henry’s words come on like his music: pleasant to the ear, deeply moving to the heart. As he looks into himself in All the White Friends I Couldn’t Keep with the same unflinching honesty he uses to examine an anti-Black world, he reveals a hard but ultimately joyful evolution, from complacency in understanding racism—even when aimed at people just like him—to embracing activism as a vital part of who he must be.”—John Archibald, winner of the Pulitzer Prize and author of Shaking the Gates of Hell

“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

A poetic journey filled with actionable insight

I listened to Andre Henry's thoughtful and lyrical book in 48 hours. His heartfelt expression of his own lived experiences and self-exploration, his sharing of knowledge and historical truths of effective activism and nonviolence movements, and suggestions on how to approach this time of racial reckoning in our own individual way was profound. Anyone who strives to be a true ally or is in the fight for racial justice will gleam so much insight from listening to his wise words. Thank you, Andre Henry, for enlightening us by sharing your very personal journey.

Phenomenal “subversive liturgy”

Preach, brother; preach! So grateful for this book. I literally couldn’t put it down. So worth reading. Thank you, Andre, for sharing your story through your prophetic voice.

Thank Andre.

This book is a movement of Black resistance, Black joy, Black hope and Black love. 🖤✌🏾✊🏾

Don’t let the title scare you

This book is NOT about a skin color as much as a way of living/viewing a shared humanity. I recommend this to everybody who wants a better world.

A life changing book

I found myself sharing many many parts of this book because they were so profoundly true. The honesty and vulnerability demonstrated in order to educate is such an immeasurable sacrifice for the author. I hope he knows how grateful I am for his story.

Highly recommended

Andre writes with a pen dipped with ink within the souls of Black folks. I tore through this book within a week. Since reading, I take every opportunity to recommend it to my white friends.

Must read

I remember listening to Andre Henry speak on the Dirty Rotten Church Kids around the time this book was released. His words inspired me as I was beginning to decolonize. Listening to this book has convicted me of much of my past anti-blackness and racism, while also educating me immensely.
For anyone who is on their anti-racist and decolonization journey, this is a must. Henry quotes many civil rights leaders and speaks from his experience as an activist in LA. There is a lot of grief, hope, and yet joy in his words. Let them change you.

Wow

Feel so seen as a black man who has also come through white evangelical spaces. A MUST read indeed.

Loved it!

"Who taught us to to treat our ancestors as strangers?" My Mother just passed and now I know not to put her "away."

Well written great referances

There is a lot to learn from for everyone will being true to the intended audience.