Better Than We Found It: Conversations to Help Save the World

Frederick Joseph, Porsche Joseph

Candlewick Press, Oct 11, 2022 - Young Adult Nonfiction - 528 pages

From the New York Times best-selling author of The Black Friend and a seasoned activist comes an indispensable guide to social and political progressivism for young people and anyone wanting to get more involved.

What is disinformation, and how does it influence our lives? How did the wealth gap become so staggeringly wide? Why do so many Americans lack access to quality health care? And—most importantly—what can we do about it all? Through a combination of personal anecdotes and interviews, authors Frederick Joseph and Porsche Joseph make a compelling case for tackling some of the biggest issues of our day, from gun violence, the prison system, transphobia, and indigenous land theft to climate change, education, housing, and immigration. Covering sixteen topics and featuring more than two dozen interviews with prominent activists, authors, actors, and politicians, this is the essential resource for those who want to make the world better than we found it.

Featuring interviews with:
Mehcad Brooks
Keah Brown
Julián Castro
Sonja Cherry-Paul
Chelsea Clinton
Charlotte Clymer
Mari Copeny, aka Little Miss Flint
Greg D’Amato
Jesse Katz
Amed Khan
Daniel Alejandro Leon-Davis
Willy and Jo Lorenz
Ben O’Keefe
Brittany Packnett Cunningham
Anna Paquin
Robert Reich
Brandon T. Snider
Nic Stone
Anton Treuer
Andrea Tulee
David Villalpando
Elizabeth Warren
Shannon Watts
Natalie Weaver
Brandon Wolf

Contents

• Were the Planeteers You Can Be One Too: 28
• Sledgehammers and Glass Ceilings: 55
• Let Them Eat Cake: 86
• We Shouldnt Be Afraid to Leave Home: 118
• You Cant Discover a Place If People: 145
• Black Squares Dont Save Lives: 176
• The More You Know: 201
• The Heteronormative Agenda: 226
• The Price of Life: 248
• You Me Us Them: 275
• Home Is Where the Rent Is or Isnt: 306
• We Have Money for War but Wont Feed: 329
• Americas Modern Slavery: 351
• Is Everyone Really Welcome?: 375
• No Human Is Illegal: 406
• We Can Be Heroes: 433
• Source Notes: 465
• Acknowledgments: 493

About the author

Frederick Joseph is a Yonkers, New York–raised two-time New York Times and USA Today best-selling author. His books include the poetry collection We Alive, Beloved; the nonfiction works Patriarchy Blues, The Black Friend, and Better Than We Found It, co-written with Porsche Joseph; the picture book Black Panther: Wakanda Forever: The Courage to Dream, illustrated by Nikkolas Smith; and the forthcoming YA novel This Thing of Ours. He was recognized with a 2021 International Literacy Association Young Adult Book Award, was named to the 2019 Forbes 30 Under 30 list for marketing and advertising, and is an activist, philanthropist, and poet. Frederick Joseph was also honored with a 2023 Malcolm X and Dr. Betty Shabazz Vanguard Award and the 2018 Bob Clampett Humanitarian Award, and he was selected for the 2018 Root 100, a list of the most influential African Americans.

Porsche Joseph is a development professional, writer, and former educator who has worked many years in philanthropy and the nonprofit sector. Better Than We Found It: Conversations to Help Save the World is her debut book. She lives in New York City with her husband, Fred, and their dog, Stokely.

Bibliographic information

• Title: Better Than We Found It: Conversations to Help Save the World
• Authors: Frederick Joseph, Porsche Joseph
• Publisher: Candlewick Press, 2022
• ISBN: 1536226998, 9781536226997
• Length: 528 pages
• Subjects: Young Adult Nonfiction / Social Science / Politics & Government; Young Adult Nonfiction / Social Topics / Civil & Human Rights; Young Adult Nonfiction / Social Topics / Class Differences; Young Adult Nonfiction / Social Topics / Emigration, Immigration & Refugees; Young Adult Nonfiction / Social Topics / Poverty & Homelessness; Young Adult Nonfiction / Social Topics / Prejudice & Racism