Patriarchy Blues

Description

A personal look at the culture of masculinity through the lens of a Black man in this poignant collection.

Toxic masculinity has become one of the most prominent hot button issues of the moment. But how does this pervasive yet elusive term actually impact men–particularly those of color–and how they navigate the world? This is exactly what Frederick Joseph aims to tackle in Patriarchy Blues. From fatherhood and “manning up” to abuse and therapy, Frederick tackles a number of topics that men today must navigate and lends his own experiences from the particular vantage point of a Black man.

In this collection of essays, poems, and short reflections, Frederick Joseph contemplates masculinity and patriarchy from both a personal and cultural standpoint. In writing that is both vulnerable and hyper-unique, Frederick challenges himself and readers to consider the impact of being a man and the joys, pains, and destructive nature of stereotypical manhood.