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This is Why I Resist: Don't Define My Black Identity
The essential anti-racist book from one of the world's leading voices for change'With This Is Why I Resist , Dr Shola is shaking a nation out of its slumber .' Annie Lennox OBE'Smart and courageous, this book should be on everyone's must-read list.' Naomi Campbell'Written with fearless articulacy, this book recalibrates the conversation on race to ignite transformational change.' David Lammy MP'This book is a passionate call to arms for anyone who wishes to look the other way. It is a must read.' Professor Kate Williams'Inclusive, exciting and focused, This Is Why I Resist is a fantastic point of reference for intersectional anti-racism work, no matter who you are.' Munroe BergdorfIn 2020 we have seen clearer than ever that Black people are still fighting for the right to be judged by the content of their character and not the colour of their skin. In the words of the author, "there is no freedom without rights and no rights without the freedom to exercise those rights."This book demands change, because Black people are done waiting.In This Is Why I Resist activist and political commentator, Dr Shola Mos-Shogbamimu digs down into the deep roots of racism and anti-blackness in the UK and the US. Using real life examples from the modern day, Dr Shola shows us the different forms racism takes in our day-to-day lives and asks us to raise our voice to end the oppression. She delves into subjects not often explored such as racial gatekeepers, white ingratitude, performative allyship ( those black squares on Instagram), current identity politics and abuse of the Black trans community.This book will challenge you. It will make you think. Bust most importantly, it will inspire you take action.It's time for a conscious revolution.
267 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 21, 2021
42 people are currently reading
998 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
March 31, 2021
Dr Shola Mos-Shogbamimu is amazing and I thank her so much for writing this eye-opening and phenomenal book. It has both helped me re-affirm existing beliefs/opinions/actions and has taught me so much more. Her book is a call to action for an anti-racist revolution and an unconditional rejection of white supremacy. I am 100% behind her.
June 9, 2021
“I will not be silenced, I will not be silent.”
Yep – this definitely describes Dr Shola Mos-Shogbamimu, a lawyer, public speaker and activist, and the author of This is Why I Resist, which is what we’ll be reviewing today. But firstly, more on Dr Shola.
I first “met” Dr Shola via the This Morning couch. (If you are British, then you’ll know what I’m talking about). She was sat alongside another guest, opposite the show’s hosts Phil and Holly, making strong points to defend the argument that the British media’s treatment of Meghan Markle is racially motivated. More than the actual points she was making, I was more impressed by her eloquence, her confidence and the strength she exuded whilst maintaining her cool, especially as seeing black people argue about racism on the TV is usually a pain point for me. (Sorry Afua. Sorry Femi)
Since then, Dr Shola has made several TV appearances, speaking out on several issues pertaining to racism in Britain – in particular, Good Morning Britain, where it has been a pleasure to see her shut down Piers Morgan on several occasions. 🙂
Don’t Define My Black Identity
She opens her book with a quote from The Telegraph: ” Arguably one of the most toxic voices in Britain’s race relations debate.”
Like Dr Shola or not, one thing you cannot argue with is that she’s self-aware. She knows she’s a polarising figure and she understands that she makes the majority of Britons uncomfortable. But does she care?… Exactly. No.
“I am a black British and an African. From the roots of my hair to the soles of my feet”
In fact, Dr Shola stands very proudly in who she is, and this comes across strongly in This Is Why I Resist. “I am a black British and an African. From the roots of my hair to the soles of my feet”, she continues. She’s proud of her identity. She is also very aware that the society we live in curtails her freedom to be herself.
The rest of the book goes on to describe and define racism in all its forms, using case study examples from The UK and The USA. With chapters such as “Does Reverse Racism Exist?”, “Who’s Playing The Race Card?” and “Can I Be Me?”, she goes in-depth into debunking the concept of “reverse racism”, explains why anti-semitism is not racism, and why discrimination against class and discrimination against race are not to be conflated. Being that her book was released last year, the examples she uses to support her arguments are still very fresh in our collective memories – I guess this makes her writing relatable and easy to understand.
She also uses quotes from other public figures to support her arguments. For example, this one from Bishop T.D. Jakes still rings in my mind today: “If you know who you are, then you know you’re not. if you don’t know who you are, somebody can ascribe to you any identity onto you, and you will morphe into what they want you to be.”
“I will not be silenced, I will not be silent.”
Dr Shola’s tone is urgent, unapologetic, and frankly has no time for your little feelings. This book is for non-black people who are willing to put their emotions on the backburner and are willing to do the work and reckon with Britain’s colonial past, and very present racism. It is also for black people living in The West who have been struggling to find the language to describe that “thing” they have felt from time to time in their interactions with Western society. It is also for those who just want to learn.

MAY 16, 2021 BOOK REVIEWS
Book Review | This Is Why I Resist
“I will not be silenced, I will not be silent.”
Yep – this definitely describes Dr Shola Mos-Shogbamimu, a lawyer, public speaker and activist, and the author of This is Why I Resist, which is what we’ll be reviewing today. But firstly, more on Dr Shola.
I first “met” Dr Shola via the This Morning couch. (If you are British, then you’ll know what I’m talking about). She was sat alongside another guest, opposite the show’s hosts Phil and Holly, making strong points to defend the argument that the British media’s treatment of Meghan Markle is racially motivated. More than the actual points she was making, I was more impressed by her eloquence, her confidence and the strength she exuded whilst maintaining her cool, especially as seeing black people argue about racism on the TV is usually a pain point for me. (Sorry Afua. Sorry Femi)
Since then, Dr Shola has made several TV appearances, speaking out on several issues pertaining to racism in Britain – in particular, Good Morning Britain, where it has been a pleasure to see her shut down Piers Morgan on several occasions. 🙂
Don’t Define My Black Identity
She opens her book with a quote from The Telegraph: ” Arguably one of the most toxic voices in Britain’s race relations debate.”
Like Dr Shola or not, one thing you cannot argue with is that she’s self-aware. She knows she’s a polarising figure and she understands that she makes the majority of Britons uncomfortable. But does she care?… Exactly. No.
“I am a black British and an African. From the roots of my hair to the soles of my feet”
In fact, Dr Shola stands very proudly in who she is, and this comes across strongly in This Is Why I Resist. “I am a black British and an African. From the roots of my hair to the soles of my feet”, she continues. She’s proud of her identity. She is also very aware that the society we live in curtails her freedom to be herself.

The rest of the book goes on to describe and define racism in all its forms, using case study examples from The UK and The USA. With chapters such as “Does Reverse Racism Exist?”, “Who’s Playing The Race Card?” and “Can I Be Me?”, she goes in-depth into debunking the concept of “reverse racism”, explains why anti-semitism is not racism, and why discrimination against class and discrimination against race are not to be conflated. Being that her book was released last year, the examples she uses to support her arguments are still very fresh in our collective memories – I guess this makes her writing relatable and easy to understand.
Enjoying this? You may also want to read: Book Review | Fattily Ever After
She also uses quotes from other public figures to support her arguments. For example, this one from Bishop T.D. Jakes still rings in my mind today: “If you know who you are, then you know you’re not. if you don’t know who you are, somebody can ascribe to you any identity onto you, and you will morphe into what they want you to be.”
“I will not be silenced, I will not be silent.”
Dr Shola’s tone is urgent, unapologetic, and frankly has no time for your little feelings. This book is for non-black people who are willing to put their emotions on the backburner and are willing to do the work and reckon with Britain’s colonial past, and very present racism. It is also for black people living in The West who have been struggling to find the language to describe that “thing” they have felt from time to time in their interactions with Western society. It is also for those who just want to learn.
This Is Why I Resist for me came out at a significant time in British History – in the same year that images of George Floyd’s murder ricocheted around the world, and led to protests around the globe. Being that Dr Shola’s voice is one of the loudest in Britain’s race relations, this gave her ample opportunity to display her book on her now instantly recognisable mantelpiece, whilst conducting television interviews via Zoom. The pandemic also found most of us grounded indoors, with plenty of time to do some extra reading.
My Final Thoughts
How much did I enjoy this book? Hmmm…I think I have had my fair share of this category of books, and this is no reflection on Dr Shola’s writing. Furthermore, I can’t say I learned anything new from This Is Why I Resist. I don’t say this from a place of arrogance, but as someone who has already read books such as Reni Eddo-Lodge’s Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race and Afua Hirsch’s BRIT(ish). If like me, you make an effort to understand the society you live in, This Is Why I Resist will simply reinforce what you already know. However, if you are at the beginning of your leaning, then I’d definitely recommend this as a part of your reading list.
Yep – this definitely describes Dr Shola Mos-Shogbamimu, a lawyer, public speaker and activist, and the author of This is Why I Resist, which is what we’ll be reviewing today. But firstly, more on Dr Shola.
I first “met” Dr Shola via the This Morning couch. (If you are British, then you’ll know what I’m talking about). She was sat alongside another guest, opposite the show’s hosts Phil and Holly, making strong points to defend the argument that the British media’s treatment of Meghan Markle is racially motivated. More than the actual points she was making, I was more impressed by her eloquence, her confidence and the strength she exuded whilst maintaining her cool, especially as seeing black people argue about racism on the TV is usually a pain point for me. (Sorry Afua. Sorry Femi)
Since then, Dr Shola has made several TV appearances, speaking out on several issues pertaining to racism in Britain – in particular, Good Morning Britain, where it has been a pleasure to see her shut down Piers Morgan on several occasions. 🙂
Don’t Define My Black Identity
She opens her book with a quote from The Telegraph: ” Arguably one of the most toxic voices in Britain’s race relations debate.”
Like Dr Shola or not, one thing you cannot argue with is that she’s self-aware. She knows she’s a polarising figure and she understands that she makes the majority of Britons uncomfortable. But does she care?… Exactly. No.
“I am a black British and an African. From the roots of my hair to the soles of my feet”
In fact, Dr Shola stands very proudly in who she is, and this comes across strongly in This Is Why I Resist. “I am a black British and an African. From the roots of my hair to the soles of my feet”, she continues. She’s proud of her identity. She is also very aware that the society we live in curtails her freedom to be herself.
The rest of the book goes on to describe and define racism in all its forms, using case study examples from The UK and The USA. With chapters such as “Does Reverse Racism Exist?”, “Who’s Playing The Race Card?” and “Can I Be Me?”, she goes in-depth into debunking the concept of “reverse racism”, explains why anti-semitism is not racism, and why discrimination against class and discrimination against race are not to be conflated. Being that her book was released last year, the examples she uses to support her arguments are still very fresh in our collective memories – I guess this makes her writing relatable and easy to understand.
She also uses quotes from other public figures to support her arguments. For example, this one from Bishop T.D. Jakes still rings in my mind today: “If you know who you are, then you know you’re not. if you don’t know who you are, somebody can ascribe to you any identity onto you, and you will morphe into what they want you to be.”
“I will not be silenced, I will not be silent.”
Dr Shola’s tone is urgent, unapologetic, and frankly has no time for your little feelings. This book is for non-black people who are willing to put their emotions on the backburner and are willing to do the work and reckon with Britain’s colonial past, and very present racism. It is also for black people living in The West who have been struggling to find the language to describe that “thing” they have felt from time to time in their interactions with Western society. It is also for those who just want to learn.

MAY 16, 2021 BOOK REVIEWS
Book Review | This Is Why I Resist
“I will not be silenced, I will not be silent.”
Yep – this definitely describes Dr Shola Mos-Shogbamimu, a lawyer, public speaker and activist, and the author of This is Why I Resist, which is what we’ll be reviewing today. But firstly, more on Dr Shola.
I first “met” Dr Shola via the This Morning couch. (If you are British, then you’ll know what I’m talking about). She was sat alongside another guest, opposite the show’s hosts Phil and Holly, making strong points to defend the argument that the British media’s treatment of Meghan Markle is racially motivated. More than the actual points she was making, I was more impressed by her eloquence, her confidence and the strength she exuded whilst maintaining her cool, especially as seeing black people argue about racism on the TV is usually a pain point for me. (Sorry Afua. Sorry Femi)
Since then, Dr Shola has made several TV appearances, speaking out on several issues pertaining to racism in Britain – in particular, Good Morning Britain, where it has been a pleasure to see her shut down Piers Morgan on several occasions. 🙂
Don’t Define My Black Identity
She opens her book with a quote from The Telegraph: ” Arguably one of the most toxic voices in Britain’s race relations debate.”
Like Dr Shola or not, one thing you cannot argue with is that she’s self-aware. She knows she’s a polarising figure and she understands that she makes the majority of Britons uncomfortable. But does she care?… Exactly. No.
“I am a black British and an African. From the roots of my hair to the soles of my feet”
In fact, Dr Shola stands very proudly in who she is, and this comes across strongly in This Is Why I Resist. “I am a black British and an African. From the roots of my hair to the soles of my feet”, she continues. She’s proud of her identity. She is also very aware that the society we live in curtails her freedom to be herself.

The rest of the book goes on to describe and define racism in all its forms, using case study examples from The UK and The USA. With chapters such as “Does Reverse Racism Exist?”, “Who’s Playing The Race Card?” and “Can I Be Me?”, she goes in-depth into debunking the concept of “reverse racism”, explains why anti-semitism is not racism, and why discrimination against class and discrimination against race are not to be conflated. Being that her book was released last year, the examples she uses to support her arguments are still very fresh in our collective memories – I guess this makes her writing relatable and easy to understand.
Enjoying this? You may also want to read: Book Review | Fattily Ever After
She also uses quotes from other public figures to support her arguments. For example, this one from Bishop T.D. Jakes still rings in my mind today: “If you know who you are, then you know you’re not. if you don’t know who you are, somebody can ascribe to you any identity onto you, and you will morphe into what they want you to be.”
“I will not be silenced, I will not be silent.”
Dr Shola’s tone is urgent, unapologetic, and frankly has no time for your little feelings. This book is for non-black people who are willing to put their emotions on the backburner and are willing to do the work and reckon with Britain’s colonial past, and very present racism. It is also for black people living in The West who have been struggling to find the language to describe that “thing” they have felt from time to time in their interactions with Western society. It is also for those who just want to learn.
This Is Why I Resist for me came out at a significant time in British History – in the same year that images of George Floyd’s murder ricocheted around the world, and led to protests around the globe. Being that Dr Shola’s voice is one of the loudest in Britain’s race relations, this gave her ample opportunity to display her book on her now instantly recognisable mantelpiece, whilst conducting television interviews via Zoom. The pandemic also found most of us grounded indoors, with plenty of time to do some extra reading.
My Final Thoughts
How much did I enjoy this book? Hmmm…I think I have had my fair share of this category of books, and this is no reflection on Dr Shola’s writing. Furthermore, I can’t say I learned anything new from This Is Why I Resist. I don’t say this from a place of arrogance, but as someone who has already read books such as Reni Eddo-Lodge’s Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race and Afua Hirsch’s BRIT(ish). If like me, you make an effort to understand the society you live in, This Is Why I Resist will simply reinforce what you already know. However, if you are at the beginning of your leaning, then I’d definitely recommend this as a part of your reading list.
March 23, 2021
I cannot stress enough how valuable and insightful this book is, so so important and educational, I would recommend to everyone!!
April 4, 2021
I had a really mixed experience with this book. There are some chapters and sections that are brilliant, but overall the structure and rhetoric really jarred with me.
It seems to have been written for readers who are already fully, actively anti-racist in the approach that it takes... and yet it specifically talks to readers who are not there. It doesn't really attempt to take people on the journey. It makes huge claims: modern day racism is just as bad as that under slavery, silently benefitting from institutional racism is just as bad as active racism, white people suffer from racism existing. But then it doesn't actually take the time, evidence and effort to show that those things are true. I would LOVE to have seen the writer go into more detail about the downsides of racism for white people, as that could be such a powerful argument to enact action... but beyond the statement, nothing comes.
I kept feeling like there was a lack of scale / intensity / prioritisation in the book. Everything was equally bad / important - but I just feel that's not the way to approach this topic. I would like to see the inclusion of at least some data or evidence to back up such claims.
Saying that modern racism is as bad now as it was 150 years ago may help in stopping people from feeling complacent, but it's also basically saying that all the equal rights work and campaigning across that time period has come to nothing. It is an inadvertent argument against progressivism.
Those were my issues, but yeah there were still plenty of good points. I did find myself feeling really inspired (nodding along to almost every line) by the chapter on flipping the usage / abuse of identity politics and the chapter on intersectionality.
It seems to have been written for readers who are already fully, actively anti-racist in the approach that it takes... and yet it specifically talks to readers who are not there. It doesn't really attempt to take people on the journey. It makes huge claims: modern day racism is just as bad as that under slavery, silently benefitting from institutional racism is just as bad as active racism, white people suffer from racism existing. But then it doesn't actually take the time, evidence and effort to show that those things are true. I would LOVE to have seen the writer go into more detail about the downsides of racism for white people, as that could be such a powerful argument to enact action... but beyond the statement, nothing comes.
I kept feeling like there was a lack of scale / intensity / prioritisation in the book. Everything was equally bad / important - but I just feel that's not the way to approach this topic. I would like to see the inclusion of at least some data or evidence to back up such claims.
Saying that modern racism is as bad now as it was 150 years ago may help in stopping people from feeling complacent, but it's also basically saying that all the equal rights work and campaigning across that time period has come to nothing. It is an inadvertent argument against progressivism.
Those were my issues, but yeah there were still plenty of good points. I did find myself feeling really inspired (nodding along to almost every line) by the chapter on flipping the usage / abuse of identity politics and the chapter on intersectionality.
September 26, 2022
Trouble with jumping on the bandwagon is that the wheels come off. My time taken to read this book is time I won’t get back.
Awful diatribe.
Awful diatribe.
December 25, 2022
I’ve been wavering how to rate this. Five stars for the importance of the subject matter and for the honest passion of the author. Three for some of the way it was written, which, for me, sometimes got in the way of the content.
I picked this book up after seeing a helpful interview with the author following the release of the Harry and Meghan ‘documentary’. I’m not at all interested in the British royals, but I have been fascinated by the discourse that has been constructed around this couple, and what it has to say about race and its intersections, and the role of the media in the U.K.
I found the book relevant and helpful. It gave me a lot to think about. New ways of defining and honing down on some of the issues and the language used to describe and understand them. Helpful calling-out of the kinds of behaviour that make things harder. A challenge, often uncomfortable, to hold myself accountable for the impact of my little life, to be more intentional about being part of a momentum for change and justice, and not just a passive well-meaning observer on a privileged sideline.
I live in Southeast Asia, where racism is evident daily, and postcolonial White privilege can be shockingly real, but where I hardly ever see a Black/African person. So inevitably as I read I found myself in dialogue with my context here, but struggling at times because the book is entirely focused on the racism embedded in the British and American context, firmly grounded in the ongoing impact of Black African slavery and all the dynamics that enable/d it. I decided in the end to stop asking more of the book than it intended to deliver. It’s perfectly ok to have a focus, for the author to choose what and where this book is about and what and where it is not tackling, and for me as a reader to receive truthful reflection without it having to fit precisely everywhere. Nevertheless, the dialogue between the contexts is very compelling and I shall shall seek out something to help me dig into it some more.
I picked this book up after seeing a helpful interview with the author following the release of the Harry and Meghan ‘documentary’. I’m not at all interested in the British royals, but I have been fascinated by the discourse that has been constructed around this couple, and what it has to say about race and its intersections, and the role of the media in the U.K.
I found the book relevant and helpful. It gave me a lot to think about. New ways of defining and honing down on some of the issues and the language used to describe and understand them. Helpful calling-out of the kinds of behaviour that make things harder. A challenge, often uncomfortable, to hold myself accountable for the impact of my little life, to be more intentional about being part of a momentum for change and justice, and not just a passive well-meaning observer on a privileged sideline.
I live in Southeast Asia, where racism is evident daily, and postcolonial White privilege can be shockingly real, but where I hardly ever see a Black/African person. So inevitably as I read I found myself in dialogue with my context here, but struggling at times because the book is entirely focused on the racism embedded in the British and American context, firmly grounded in the ongoing impact of Black African slavery and all the dynamics that enable/d it. I decided in the end to stop asking more of the book than it intended to deliver. It’s perfectly ok to have a focus, for the author to choose what and where this book is about and what and where it is not tackling, and for me as a reader to receive truthful reflection without it having to fit precisely everywhere. Nevertheless, the dialogue between the contexts is very compelling and I shall shall seek out something to help me dig into it some more.
July 12, 2023
This from the conclusion gives the gist:
"The expectation that Black people must move the hearts and minds of White people to be free from institutional racism is racist and White supremacy. The expectation on Black people to centre Whiteness on how we respond to injustice is racist and White supremacy. The expectation on Black people to 'wait our turn' or wait longer because we are not a priority, is racist and White supremacy. The expectation that White people set the timing of our priorities is racist and White supremacy. The continued denial of our lived experiences of racism, is racist and White supremacy. Centring Whiteness as the standard for professionalism, culture, way of life, choices of lifestyle and the like is racist and White supremacy. White people setting and dictating the parameters of our protests is racist and White supremacy. White people placing conditions on the human dignity and individual freedom of Black people is racist and White supremacy."
Except for the anger. The author is very negatively affected by these issues.
I feel that this, from chapter two of Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before by Dr Julia Smith, might help:
"Mind reading
Having a grasp on what the people around us are thinking and feeling is crucial for humans. We live in groups and depend on each other, so we all spend much of our lives making guesses about what other people are thinking and feeling. But when we're feeling down, we are more likely to assume that those guesses are true. 'When my friend looked at me funny I just knew she hated me.' But on a different day, when I'm not struggling with low mood, I might be more inclined to be a bit more curious about what was going on and possibly even ask her.
You might notice that you feel the need for more reassurance from others when your mood is low. If you don't get that extra reassurance you might automatically assume that they are thinking negatively about you. But that is a bias, and it is quite possible that you are your worst critic."
"The expectation that Black people must move the hearts and minds of White people to be free from institutional racism is racist and White supremacy. The expectation on Black people to centre Whiteness on how we respond to injustice is racist and White supremacy. The expectation on Black people to 'wait our turn' or wait longer because we are not a priority, is racist and White supremacy. The expectation that White people set the timing of our priorities is racist and White supremacy. The continued denial of our lived experiences of racism, is racist and White supremacy. Centring Whiteness as the standard for professionalism, culture, way of life, choices of lifestyle and the like is racist and White supremacy. White people setting and dictating the parameters of our protests is racist and White supremacy. White people placing conditions on the human dignity and individual freedom of Black people is racist and White supremacy."
Except for the anger. The author is very negatively affected by these issues.
I feel that this, from chapter two of Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before by Dr Julia Smith, might help:
"Mind reading
Having a grasp on what the people around us are thinking and feeling is crucial for humans. We live in groups and depend on each other, so we all spend much of our lives making guesses about what other people are thinking and feeling. But when we're feeling down, we are more likely to assume that those guesses are true. 'When my friend looked at me funny I just knew she hated me.' But on a different day, when I'm not struggling with low mood, I might be more inclined to be a bit more curious about what was going on and possibly even ask her.
You might notice that you feel the need for more reassurance from others when your mood is low. If you don't get that extra reassurance you might automatically assume that they are thinking negatively about you. But that is a bias, and it is quite possible that you are your worst critic."
January 11, 2022
Dr Shola Mos-Shogbamimu (2021) THIS IS WHY I RESIST - DON'T DEFINE MY BLACK IDENTITY (AUDIOBOOK)
Audible - Headline
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5 out of 5 stars
Audible writes, "In 2020 we have seen clearer than ever that Black people are still fighting for the right to be judged by the content of their character and not the colour of their skin. In the words of the author, 'there is no freedom without rights and no rights without the freedom to exercise those rights.' This book demands change, because Black people are done waiting. In This Is Why I Resist activist and political commentator, Dr Shola Mos-Shogbamimu digs down into the deep roots of racism and anti-blackness in the UK and the US. Using real life examples from the modern day, Dr Shola shows us the different forms racism takes in our day-to-day lives and asks us to raise our voice to end the oppression. She delves into subjects not often explored such as racial gatekeepers, white ingratitude, performative allyship (those black squares on Instagram), current identity politics and abuse of the Black trans community. Where other books take White people by the hand to help them negotiate issues of race, This Is Why I Resist offers no sugar-coated comfort, instead it challenges and asks when white will people progress on race inclusion. Black lives matter, and change is now. It's time for a conscious revolution.
=====
I ❤ Dr Shola Mos-Shogbamimu! She's good people she is. There's nothing better than sitting back and listening to someone who knows who they are, knows their stuff, knows their worth, is robust in their value, has self esteem and is unapologetic in the face of BS. Dr Mos-Shogbamimu is a brilliant human being. End of sentence. It is time to take back the narrative. Everyone should read this.
=====
#DrSholaMosShogbamimu #DrShola #ThisIsWhyIResist #Book #Books #Read #Reads #Reading #BookShelf #Library #Review #Reviews #BookReview #BookReviews #GoodReads #Audible #Audiobook #Audiobooks #Headline
Audible - Headline
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5 out of 5 stars
Audible writes, "In 2020 we have seen clearer than ever that Black people are still fighting for the right to be judged by the content of their character and not the colour of their skin. In the words of the author, 'there is no freedom without rights and no rights without the freedom to exercise those rights.' This book demands change, because Black people are done waiting. In This Is Why I Resist activist and political commentator, Dr Shola Mos-Shogbamimu digs down into the deep roots of racism and anti-blackness in the UK and the US. Using real life examples from the modern day, Dr Shola shows us the different forms racism takes in our day-to-day lives and asks us to raise our voice to end the oppression. She delves into subjects not often explored such as racial gatekeepers, white ingratitude, performative allyship (those black squares on Instagram), current identity politics and abuse of the Black trans community. Where other books take White people by the hand to help them negotiate issues of race, This Is Why I Resist offers no sugar-coated comfort, instead it challenges and asks when white will people progress on race inclusion. Black lives matter, and change is now. It's time for a conscious revolution.
=====
I ❤ Dr Shola Mos-Shogbamimu! She's good people she is. There's nothing better than sitting back and listening to someone who knows who they are, knows their stuff, knows their worth, is robust in their value, has self esteem and is unapologetic in the face of BS. Dr Mos-Shogbamimu is a brilliant human being. End of sentence. It is time to take back the narrative. Everyone should read this.
=====
#DrSholaMosShogbamimu #DrShola #ThisIsWhyIResist #Book #Books #Read #Reads #Reading #BookShelf #Library #Review #Reviews #BookReview #BookReviews #GoodReads #Audible #Audiobook #Audiobooks #Headline
April 15, 2021
"I could not agree more with Martin Luther King Jr, I personally find that white apathy and complacency are the nails that drive institutional racism home. This famous quote attributed to Edmund Burke comes to mind: 'The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing'. To my mind, white people who are apathetic to institutional racism are just as racist as the white people who are openly racist. I would go as far as also calling these white moderates cowards, as succinctly described by Abraham Lincoln, who said, 'to sin by silence when there should be protest makes cowards of men'."
I first discovered Dr Shola Mos-Shogbamimu's work when she went viral for utterly annihilating Piers Morgan on Good Morning Britain, so I was somewhat prepared for the soul-stirring call to action that thrums from every page of this book, but it still utterly blew my socks off. It's particularly essential reading for anyone anywhere who still believes UK police brutality isn't a deeply and historically entrenched systemic reality, especially in the wake of the Sewell Report. I also loved her deep-dive into trans rights and liberation and all the intersectional nuances.
If I could press this into the hands of every person on this bleak backwards little island, I would. In a heartbeat. Will just have to settle for bringing the activism and urgency it rightly demands into every corner of my own meagre sphere of influence.
"We need to stand and fight together."
I first discovered Dr Shola Mos-Shogbamimu's work when she went viral for utterly annihilating Piers Morgan on Good Morning Britain, so I was somewhat prepared for the soul-stirring call to action that thrums from every page of this book, but it still utterly blew my socks off. It's particularly essential reading for anyone anywhere who still believes UK police brutality isn't a deeply and historically entrenched systemic reality, especially in the wake of the Sewell Report. I also loved her deep-dive into trans rights and liberation and all the intersectional nuances.
If I could press this into the hands of every person on this bleak backwards little island, I would. In a heartbeat. Will just have to settle for bringing the activism and urgency it rightly demands into every corner of my own meagre sphere of influence.
"We need to stand and fight together."
June 19, 2021
It was good. I don't think there was really anything new in there, it seemed aimed at white people who are newly come to the concept of structural racism and privilege. But Dr. Mos-Shogbamimu framed existing ideas with new arguments, and the parts on intersectionalism was also very interesting, particularly on how black Jews, black Muslims, black women and black trans women experience racism in conjunction with other forms of discrimination.
I'm not sure that I agree with her that anti-Semitism and Islamophobia aren't racism though. Islamophobia in particular, yes it's a religion and not a race, but it generally impacts people who are perceived to be Muslim, ie. Asian or black. An Asian person is likely to be victim of Islamophobia whether or not they are Muslim (Sikhs are also harassed by Islamophobes) because they appear Asian and therefore are assumed to be Muslim. So in that way it manifests itself as racism.
So these small things aside, it was a great book.
I'm not sure that I agree with her that anti-Semitism and Islamophobia aren't racism though. Islamophobia in particular, yes it's a religion and not a race, but it generally impacts people who are perceived to be Muslim, ie. Asian or black. An Asian person is likely to be victim of Islamophobia whether or not they are Muslim (Sikhs are also harassed by Islamophobes) because they appear Asian and therefore are assumed to be Muslim. So in that way it manifests itself as racism.
So these small things aside, it was a great book.
dnf
May 15, 2023I'm sorry, I got almost halfway through but Mos-Shogbamimu is just not a good writer and really doesn't say anything other Black activists haven't already said far more eloquently. Recommended instead:
(UK)
Akala, Natives: Race and Class in the Ruins of Empire
Reni Eddo-Lodge, Why I'm No Longer Talking to White People About Race
Afua Hirsch, Brit(ish): On Race, Identity and Belonging
(US)
Ta-Nehisi Coates, Between the World and Me
Michael Eric Dyson, Tears We Cannot Stop: A Sermon to White America
Mikki Kendall, Hood Feminism: Notes from the Women That a Movement Forgot
Ibram X. Kendi, Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America
Jesmyn Ward (editor), The Fire This Time: A New Generation Speaks About Race
(UK)
Akala, Natives: Race and Class in the Ruins of Empire
Reni Eddo-Lodge, Why I'm No Longer Talking to White People About Race
Afua Hirsch, Brit(ish): On Race, Identity and Belonging
(US)
Ta-Nehisi Coates, Between the World and Me
Michael Eric Dyson, Tears We Cannot Stop: A Sermon to White America
Mikki Kendall, Hood Feminism: Notes from the Women That a Movement Forgot
Ibram X. Kendi, Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America
Jesmyn Ward (editor), The Fire This Time: A New Generation Speaks About Race
November 3, 2022
come talk books (and other things) with me over at my twitter!
3.5* rounded up. i liked the book, although it did seem more like the main aim here was to bring white people into the fold.
if you ever have the chance to hear dr shola speak in person, do it! she's a good writer and i enjoyed the book, but she's an even better speaker (which you'll know if you've seen one of her many tv interviews - but she's brilliant to hear in person).
3.5* rounded up. i liked the book, although it did seem more like the main aim here was to bring white people into the fold.
if you ever have the chance to hear dr shola speak in person, do it! she's a good writer and i enjoyed the book, but she's an even better speaker (which you'll know if you've seen one of her many tv interviews - but she's brilliant to hear in person).
April 20, 2021
Dr Shola Mos-Shogbamimu is such a courageous activist and this book should be required reading for us all. Especially white people who consider themselves to be anti racist. The book is extremely topical and written from a UK slant. It's painful and uncomfortable to read but is also an inspiring call to action reminding us that white supremacy is real and alive and it will take our collective and individual efforts to dismantle it. Please buy this book or borrow from your library.
November 27, 2021
Outstanding book, taught me a lot as a white person. Personally think all white people should read this in order to understand the things we don't experience. It's time for us to shut up and listen, validate what POC feel & experience, make sure their voices are heard. Great book full of amazing insight and knowledge, straight to the point, no messing around to make it "more palatable" for white people, said what needs to be said, how it should be said. With power & knowledge.
July 29, 2021
Everyone should read this
A very well written polemic against racism and White Supremacy. Research and personal experience back up every claim. At the end of the day we decide to fight against racism and resist the scourge of White Supremacy or we collude with its divisive and destructive rhetoric
A very well written polemic against racism and White Supremacy. Research and personal experience back up every claim. At the end of the day we decide to fight against racism and resist the scourge of White Supremacy or we collude with its divisive and destructive rhetoric
April 15, 2021
There's a few moments of redefining what words mean that don't necessarily ring true in in some circumstances and a few times Shola deals in absolutes and a reductive view but overall this work in back half adds quite a lot to the conversation.
August 28, 2021
This was a much needed read. Shola has taken the time to make her points easy to read and understand, she also gives examples of what she means and examples of what happens due to the topic she is talking about. It gives you a lot to think about.
March 23, 2023
True, genuine and challenging
This is an honest and necessarily blunt view of the world we live in and the changes we need. Grateful for the time taken to write this. It is not something that should be read and forgotten about. We have to progress.
This is an honest and necessarily blunt view of the world we live in and the changes we need. Grateful for the time taken to write this. It is not something that should be read and forgotten about. We have to progress.
November 4, 2021
Very informative and easy to understand. Brilliant structure and layout per chapter. Advocate that every single white person to read this. Will certainly be recommending to others!
February 14, 2022
This book is succinct and to the point. I’d you are looking for fluff go elsewhere.
March 27, 2022
'Drops of water make a mighty ocean. We are all the many parts of one body and should work together.'
May 13, 2022
Required reading.
March 19, 2024
Awful. A good example of what's wrong with America today.
August 28, 2022
Great read.
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