Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race

Summary:

In 2014, award-winning journalist Reni Eddo-Lodge wrote about her frustration with the way that discussions of race and racism in Britain were being led by those who weren't affected by it. She posted a piece on her blog, entitled: 'Why I'm No Longer Talking to White People About Race' that led to this book.

Exploring issues from eradicated black history to the political purpose of white dominance, whitewashed feminism to the inextricable link between class and race, Reni Eddo-Lodge offers a timely and essential new framework for how to see, acknowledge and counter racism. It is a searing, illuminating, absolutely necessary exploration of what it is to be a person of colour in Britain today.  (Summary and cover courtesy of goodreads.com)

Review:

This book was uncomfortable to read, and that’s the point. I had to put it down at points to chew on a few chapters, digest, and move on.  For people of color it will likely be a breath of fresh air, and for white people it will challenge embedded and pre-conceived notions of white privilege and equality.  Eddo-Lodge does a great job providing historical facts, how things have (or more often haven’t) changed, and why it’s relevant.  I appreciated that she took the time to make it clear what was fact and then follow it up with her conclusions and philosophy in response to them.  This made the writing provocative, confident and her arguments so clearly structured that it keeps the reader (particularly white readers) from slipping into excuses or wanting to see “the  bright side”.  I particularly enjoyed her discussion of white fragility because, frankly, it’s the aspect I really struggle to relate to when I see it in news and social media.

The reality is that in so many ways society is broken and needs fixing.  Baby steps are happening and people are starting to open their mind that just because that’s the way “always” have happened doesn’t mean it’s how they need to continue.  I hope Eddo-Lodge continues to use her voice for advocacy that the book will inspire more people to step up.

Rating: 5 stars!

Who should read it? Honestly, I think everyone who is willing to have an honest discussion about race should give it a read.