Book review | Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race
GO TO...
Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race is a discussion on race and racism in Britain.
To be white is to be human; to be white is universal. I only know this because I am not.
Reni Eddo-Lodge
WHY SHOULD YOU READ THIS BOOK?
- You’re interested in Black history and racism
- You want to better understand people around you and the society we live in
DON’T RECOMMEND
IF…
- You’re looking for a relaxing read
- You don’t like when your opinion is challenged or you’re racist -in both cases, this blog might not be for you
WHY I’M NO LONGER TALKING TO WHITE PEOPLE ABOUT RACE BOOK REVIEW IN SHORT
I had planned to read this one after “Why We Sleep”. And as you may already know, I didn’t like the latter and was very disappointed not to. I started to wonder if it was simply because I wasn’t in a reading mood lately… But, well, yes I was!
It’s embarrassing how little I know about black history and racism. This book made me reflect so much about my vision of my life, society and people around me. It opened a new world for me, a world that I will definitely explore!
I believe that (one of) the point made in this book is that we need to listen. So most of this review will be quotes from Reni Eddo-Lodge.
WHAT YOU CAN LEARN
White people are so used to seeing a reflection of themselves in all representations of humanity at all times, that they only notice it when it’s taken away from them.
Reni Eddo-Lodge
What intersectionality is
Here is the definition of intersectionality given by Reni Eddo-Lodge in her chapter about feminism:
The crossover of two distinct discriminations -racism and sexism- that happen to people who are both black and women.
Reni Eddo-Lodge
The Rooney Rule
“When I was four, I asked my mum when I would turn white, because all the good people on tv were white. I considered myself a good person, so I thought that I would turn white eventually. My mum still remembers the crestfallen look on my face when she told me the bad news.”
Reni Eddo-Lodge
Colour blindness
“At best, white people have been taught not to mention that people of colour are “different” in case it offends us.”
Reni Eddo-Lodge
WHAT DID I GET OUT OF THIS BOOK?
There is so much I don’t know about racism. And there is so much more to learn.
If you’ve read it, what did YOU get out of this book? Did you enjoy reading this book review? Leave a comment below, or reach me on Instagram @just.another.good.story or by email at justanothergoodstory@gmail.com
I really hope that you enjoyed reading this book review!
Interested in books about racism? Check the other reviews in the society category.
Come back soon
X