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WIN a copy of Why I'm No Longer Talking to White People About Race by Reni Eddo-Lodge
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Bec
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Feb 18, 2018 01:56PM
I think that this book is important because, me being a white person, I find it really hard to navigate how exactly I can best be an ally to people of color without accidentally stealing someone who needs to be heard’s thunder. I think reading literature aimed towards telling us what we’re doing wrong and what we can do to better be allies could be really useful!
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This book is important because discrimination has not disappeared in our society, Instead of White supremacy staying underground it is come out full force in the last couple of years and the world is becoming more violent, We should have reached the point where the only difference was the shade of foundation purchased at the makeup counter and instead we have demonstrations with guns instead,
This book is incredibly important. It’s easy for white people to shy away from conversations about power and privilege because of their own feelings of discomfort, but that is not okay. It is not the responsibility of people of color to educate us about structural racism, but rather, the responsibility of each and every one of us to educate ourselves. While I haven’t read it yet, I know that this book is important because we all need to take a long hard look at our own privileges and work towards dismantling the status quo. In a world that is built on structural racism, we need education in order to heal and to change it.Books like these are needed because they make white people take a good hard look at themselves. How are we complicit in racism? What are we doing to acknowledge our own privilege? What are we doing to give power back to people of color? What aren’t we doing? How do we do better? We need to do better. It’s time to get rid of the distancing practices that allow white people to ignore the ways that our privilege negatively impact others, and we need to be reading books like these.
Listening, truly listening to the voices of people of color is so important. We need to read books like “Why I’m Not Talking About White People About Race”, so that we can listen. And truly hear. The impact that education can have is incredible. Books like these can and do impact the attitudes and beliefs that permeate our society and allow oppression to continue. I gotta say - I can’t wait to read this!!!
This book is important to read now because the world is drowning in fear. People's minds are paralyzed by fear. Fear affects their behavior. There is so much hatred everywhere. Everyone needs to be reminded that we are all humans. We are all connected. And we all need to find love and compassion in our hearts.
This book is important for me to read because I am white person in Oregon and it is vital that I seek out ways to hear and understand other people and spread it to my community until it become one voice.
We occupy a very interesting time in our global social history. One in which human rights, animal rights and climate rights are all being called into question. I am keenly trying to better understand how I can improve the space we all occupy on this planet and the role that gender roles plays in making that possible. Understanding more about the wider feminist movement, I feel the book "Why I'm No Longer Talking to White People About Race" will fill a gap in my understanding of the wider feminist issue in society by enabling me to see more clearly the role race (and white privilege) has both within and outside of gender equality. I believe this a vital missing piece in my understanding and I hope through this book I can continue to move forward with learning to help make our global society better, inclusively, for everyone.
I think this book is relevant now because racism is still going on and it's no secret we need to change that, but some people can't see it or don't know how. I am in high school and I see and hear a lot of racist slurs and comments, it's something that's taught, you didn't come out of the womb thinking you're better or worse than someone because of their skin color. I think the parents and kids of the newer generations need to change it, and this book could help.
This book is important right now because as a black woman, I am exhausted with always having to teach white people about race, racial disparities, inequities, and institutional racism. White people say that they want to help but they generally lack the interest in doing the hard work that it will take to educate themselves about these issues. Instead, they assume that black women are angry because they we decline to entertain all of their questions. I’m hopeful that this book will lead more people to do their own legwork when it comes to race. Given this political climate, things are worsening and it’s more important than ever for books like these to read and discussed.
This book is so important because we do need to have a real discussion about racism in America. Too many have become complacent with the current situation and we need to lean in, get uncomfortable and really talk about what is going on.
Thank you. This book is highly important now to teach us about the racial issues and divides and help educate future generations.
I dont think anyone really has the exact same understanding of race, sometimes when im talking to friends about race I realize that they either completely get what im talking about or has no clue whatsoever, I grew up in an all white family, so I started considering the fact that other people might not think I belonged with my family, even though I knew I always would it was a problem for me that people might think I didn't actually belong, that I was just standing next to the white family. I tried to tell my mom at age 13 she didn't understand AT ALL because she was a my mom, she loved me and she always had and even though I never doubted that, it id bother me that she didn't understand me, to me it seemed like maybe she just wasn't listening to me.
I talked to several friends in the same situation, white family, black kid most of them understood me which made me sure I wasn't just a lunatic.
It wasn't just me.
and that made me SO happy...
I stopped talking to my mom about race, she and I are very close but I never quite felt like she understood me, it was simply like this mart magnificent woman was unknowing, which semis so weird to me.
I realized later that everyone sees skin colors differently, some people might think I dont belong if I walk down the street with my family while others might not even doubt that I belongs.
its important that we speak up, say our mind, and make sure that people can ACTUALLY hear you because otherwise it won't matter.
if we down talk no one will listen.
and I would like to liv in a world where it isn't only 4% of all female bosses who aren't caucasian thats a VERY little number considering how little an amount of women bosses there is, and then its only about 4% of those.
Id like those numbers to change, not just because im a black woman
but because why the hell would that be other than prejudice?
Talking mean alot even if hardly anyone is listening it MATTERS
we can't change anything unless we say it out loud
this books is one of those which makes you wonder, starts discussions, debates, this books is someone speaking up.
This book is important because white people (and others in positions of privilege) need to take on the burden of making change. Period.
This book is especially important now, because people find new ways to hide their racism. Now they call it ethno-pluralism. But it's still the same ideology. We have to get a better understanding of what racism is in order to dismantle it in all it forms.
Personally I find society these days very intimidating. Between all the problems going on, capitalism, communism and everything else it can be a lot to handle and be aware of. I am a canadian feminist and I find Canada to be such an openly lovable place where everyone can be who they want to be. But, like any other place in the world race is still a slight issue. People may say they support other races but when you see the way they judge them and speak to them, it’s not how it seems. I have spoken to many white people about race and the way they treat other people and view this topic is disgusting. If we stop talking about it all-in-all with white people lots of the problems will be changed in many different ways. This book could really give the world a clear view about race and that is something we really need right now (trust me, between politics and the way this world has formed itself) it is a very important topic that needs to be dealt with. The world needs this book right now and this book is a great way to spread greatness and love. :)
This book has started a discussion that needs to be had. That is the real importance of it because some people may not want to talk about it but we have to at some point so why not now? We also need to address the fact that although we may not like to admit it there are bias in people thoughts when it comes to race, gender and anything that makes us different from what people would call ordinary. With everything going on in the world today like terrorism and gun control issues in the US we need to address the fact racial profiling can’t and shouldn’t play a part in convicting. This book is important by simply the issues it raises and the way it outlines it so clearly.
Why is this important now? There is a perception that there is a minority population that are prejudiced / bias. What we are not accepting / owning as a society are our unconscious biases nor are we acknowledging our privileges whether they be race, gender or both.I think it’s time that these were addressed. Yes, this book will probably make me uncomfortable but it needs to make society uncomfortable. Just disability is a social construct, prejudice and inequality are too. Time for change.
Winning this book would have a ripple effect in my community. I am the steward of a Little Free Library that focuses on providing books which help teach the social skill of empathy. I feel like often times we chose our reading materials based on entertainment value - and there is nothing wrong with that. But I want to provide another source of reading materials that deal with topics which are not always easy to read or to stomach. Materials that challenge our attitudes and perceptions and lead to thought provoking questions and difficult conversations. I have not yet read this book myself, but it is on my to-read list. From what I’ve heard, this exemplifies the mission of my Little Free Library and I would my community to have access to it! Thank you for the opportunity.
I haven't read a summary or anything else about the book. The only thing I always see is how much people are enjoying it, are excited about its message and how different and innovative its point of view is. I really want to read this book and realize first hand how great it is. 💛
This book is important now because we are finally as a global society beginning to understand the necessity of listening to and respecting marginalised voices rather than imposing our own interpretation and ego; we are becoming more open to criticising not only our selves but the systems within with we live and we need books like these to help educate and challenge us as we work together to dismantle and reinvent those unjust mechanisms at play.
This book is important now because of the rise of neo-Nazis, and the 'alt-right' who are trying to change the historical narrative, and the future. We need to educate ourselves to stop this happening. I want to be an intersectional feminist, and support the movement as best I can.
I am a white mother a young black woman. Whilst I have always considered myself an activist, vehemently fighting all forms of discrimination, especially racism, I know that I will never know my daughter's experience of the world in the way that she experiences it. I have been a bystander, watching as people ask to touch her hair, like she is some kind of novelty, like that isn't an absurd and unacceptable thing to ask of a stranger. I've seen the same people become affronted when she politely declines, like they are somehow entitled, like she should somehow submit to their wished at the expense of her own. Yes, I can watch it through my eyes, but I can never feel it through her skin. More men and women of colour need to write about their experiences, because we need to understand what racism and oppression feel like, not just what it looks like. Society needs to give back the voice to the people whom racism affects. That's not white people. I want to give this book to my daughter to show her that her voice and her experiences are valid and important and can be shared. Maybe she will be inspired to use her voice in the same way and not let her story be told by third parties and bystanders or people that want to put words into her mouth. That's why this book is important. Black voices matter.
I think this book is super important in today's society and its structures which discriminate against so many groups that are not white, male and heterosexual. This book will be and is already another stepping stone toward a future that is intersectionally feminist, open-minded and inclusive of all people and it will help the discussion of how we as women, we as people who see this discrimination want to shape our society. It was simply time for a book like this, written by a black feminist woman who explains racism from the view of the marginalized group and not an intellectual white man explaining a group who he is not nearly part of. I'm looking forward to reading this and learning even more of how I, as a white person, internalized discrimination against people of colour. I think it is indispensable to educate ourselves and to educate ourselves by listening to the community of oppressed and discriminated groups. This book is a part of the process of unlearning all the underlying patterns we inherited from past generations.
Thank you so much for the oppurtunity of winning a copy! This is awesome.
To keep it short and be honest - I'm a white person who has only ever talked to white people about race. This book was recommended to me to provide a new perspective.
This book is so important now because while it is always important to discuss and raise awareness of inequality in our society , it is particularly crucial at a time when the vast majority of messages given out by the press and by those in power (naming no names) are ones of hate and intolerance. I would love to read it!
I think the subject of racism is something we should all care about, and something we can all benefit from by reading a book like this one. It is especially important to hear about from a perspective that is different from your own.
I’d like to raise my kids in a world where don’t exist any difference between black and white people, men and women or north and south, but the truth is this kind of world is an utopia and today we have a lot of problems, thoughts, behaviors to deal with them.This book is important because put these problems in words on paper describing how cruel is the society now days, just because you are black, and woman or you didn’t be born in the right place.
Everybody must read this book and say “enough “
It’s such a relevant book in these days. I would love to read this book, as racism is something many of my friends and I have been having serious conversations about, and I’m betting this would be a great book for our book club! We stick to social books a lot and I’d love to read it and see if it’s one I should pick for my book choice!
One only needs to see Afua Hirsch’s recent interview on Sky News to see that (many) white people have a misconception of their own privileged position, and of the ongoing difficulties faced by people of colour. The assumption often seems to be that racism is no longer a problem, but one only needs open a newspaper to see that this is not the case. I have been desperate to read this book since I first heard about it. As a white person, I’m sure I have a lot to learn, and that there’s a lot I can do better.
The book is extremely relevant in our society today. It makes you aware of how unfair life is, when the whole system is against you. As a white cisgender female, it makes me aware of the injustice, rasicm, unfairness and just how challenging life can be as a person of colour.
This book should be required reading for all students!
Too often as whites we THINK we understand an aspect (or few) of racism and so we modify our language/behaviour and THINK we're being a good ally, but I've personally found I was sorely wrong. I inadvertently hurt others through not learning and truly understanding what life is like as a person of colour. I want to learn, to grow, and to be but a small drop in the tsunami of change. I don't think my experience is unique, and in order for that tsunami to form, MANY of us need to learn, need to read this book.
For me, this book is important because I need to better understand the experiences of those around me. I’m a white female in a work environment that is mostly POC. The team I lead is diverse, and I’m hoping to gain some insights that will make me a better leader for them - that will make me more valuable to them.
This is such an important read right now, as the world continues to divide along racial lines and those with white privilege largely refuse to acknowledge the unfair advantages that systemic racism and the ongoing oppression therein offer them (including higher pay, stolen land, low or no legal consequences, less likelihood of violence perpetrated against them, etc.). As a white-looking indigenous person, these issues come with some complicated feelings and I’m always looking to educate myself about what people of more obvious colour face, and what can be done to stem the racist tides that are so raging in today’s political and social climates.
Jo wrote: "Dear Our Shared Shelf,We are super happy to be giving away 60 copies of our current read 'Why I'm No Longer Talking to White People About Race' by Reni Eddo-Lodge.
For your chance to win a copy, ..."
I began seriously studying the American Civil War in 2010, and it has been a game changer as far as my attitude about rascism. It still exists in many quarters, globally. This book is hopefully a game changer as far as current racial attitudes are concerned.
Thank you for doing this giveaway. We must all remain open to many points of view. So important.
This book is important at this time because racism is still hugely prevalent, and the majority try to pretend that it isn't. Racism is rampant in this country and we can't keep sweeping it under the rug. Saying, "I'm not racist," is not the same as trying to create equality for all people. Just because you don't have a problem with (insert race here) doesn't mean you're doing anything to stop the problems others have. We need to understand what racism really is in order to create a world without it, and books like this show the harsh reality of where we're really at. By sharing this message, Reni Eddo-Lodge reminds us to keep the discussion alive, and not to bury our heads in the sand and ignore the problem.
I would like a copy of this book because as a multi-racial person I feel that it's important to remember that just because someone looks "white" doesn't mean they are. I feel that someone shouldn't be given privilege just because of the color of their skin.I would also like to win this book because I realize how important racial issues are and would like to use it as a stepping stone to teach my child who I homeschool the importance of closing racial divides and I believe this book can help. Every month we choose one book that has racial diversity in it and discuss the themes presented in the book and I think a non-fiction book on racial issues would be a perfect mix for this! Thanks!
Racism is a problem that we have in our society. However, I don't think about it as much as I should be. Reading this book is definitely going to help us acknoledge this issue and maybe it will even get us creative and full of ideas for the future! I'm looking forward to reading it :)
This book is important because it has helped change my perception of race -as a mixed race person that may have once said they didn't see race. (This was once perhaps my tactic of avoiding discrimination. At primary school we were taught to treat everyone respectfully and the same. But that way we do not see how other races have to negotiate the world or how greater society stereotypes. Now I see that avoiding conversation about race does not help the destruction of racism.)The book has reaffirmed to me that it is important to see people's race in terms of raising a culture of awareness, understanding and a reduction of ignorance.
I think it's simply incredibly important that we keep learning, keep listening, and are challenging our perspective. Racism is still a massive problem and a lot of work to be done.
Because unfortunately our collective memory is so short. Because the word History is dangerous as it throws the facts away from us. From our daily lives. From our friends and family. This book iso important now because we need, we must, continue to talk and to educate on the need and the value of equality for everyone. This is a matter of today. We must remember. And we, all over the world, must do better.
Racism is still a major problem in our country, and it is one of the most difficult topics to talk about. For me as a white person, this book gives me a chance to come to a greater understanding of the impact of racism on the day-to-day lives of people of color without imposing on an individual in a way that makes them feel uncomfortable or as though I feel entitled to being educated by them. I would imagine, though I don't truly know, that it would provide a person of color with the sort of relief that comes from reading something that validates and expresses things you have experienced. I think that's pretty important given that it seems like lots of white folks gaslight on racism.
This book is so important now because racism needs to be a conversation NOW. This is not a new issue; this is a very persistent issue which has transitioned from overt to covert racism tactics and created this facade where people can attempt to claim racism is not an issue. This book is important because most people who do not believe racism is (still) a modern issue do not regularly have open conversations with people of color or feel timid to bring up the topic of how racism affects them. With this book, the reader can gain knowledge of the topic without needing the courage to begin a conversation.
This book is important because as a society we cannot begin to change without admittiting there is a problem.
This book is important because people are suffering, people are being dehumanized, people are being oppressed across multiple continents while others deny their experiences as false claims.
This book is important because it serves as a tool of education to arm individuals with the knowledge needed to engage in conversation, and to speak of the facts of racism and its infection. Only with this education and this conversation can we begin a cure.
This book is so important, because unfortunately we are still living in a time where racial divides are still an issue. It is a problem that can not be tackled by one person alone, but needs to be tackled by all (including those in a more privileged position). I would love a copy of this book as it has been on my to-read list since I first heard about it! I
This book and others like it are so needed in this day and age; the time has come for marginalized groups to demand a seat at the table and talk about their experiences. Those in power and who have privilege have a duty to listen to the oppressed and ask, "How can we help?" By placing the stories of minorities at the forefront, a powerful message is sent that much-needed change is coming. Talking about race is hard. But we need to push through the tension and be introspective about how race impacts (or doesn't impact) our lives. I live in a very rural area with not much diversity, and it pains me sometimes to hear kids at my school saying ignorant things. Awareness in my area is much needed, and books like this provide that consciousness of implicit bias and privilege. I related to what Emma had to say when she selected this book - I was very impressed by her acknowledgement of her race and how that impacted her as a feminist. But the fact is that acknowledgement shouldn't be so rare that I'm pleasantly surprised when those with privilege step back and recognize their role in the movement. This book is important because it's saying the things that need to be said, and readers everywhere can benefit from heeding the message.
This book is important because it‘s adressing an incredibly important issue. The issue of race and racism. An issue that is being downplayed by today‘s society.
An issue that is present everyday. And everywhere.
An issue that we are all affected by - both as the victims and as the reason why it is present - everywhere.
An issue that I am affected by as a child of two migrants, as someone who is visibly different than the majority of people on this tiny part of the world.
An issue that YOU are affected by -
and an issue that YOU are affecting.
We all live on one tiny planet in an enormous universe.
And at the end of the day, we‘re all just humans who happen to be spread across this one planet. Humans with the same feelings, the same struggles - the same hearts.
We have to adress the issue of racism because it IS real.
Every book, every article, every social media post that is making even one person reconsider their opinions on race is crucial and significant and should be valued.
This book aims to open people‘s eyes and to change the world for the better.
And that is why it is so important.
I think this book is so important in today’s climate, because as well as issues of gender we are also becoming aware of problems to do with race in society. With political climates such as trump’s America and police brutality it’s important to read an own voices novel on race and gender and how important it is to recognise privileges that certain groups of people have; for example middle class white men. As a young white woman myself I recognise the importance of hearing and learning and listening from everyone’s perspectives and opinions. I’ve wanted to read this novel for a while as I know I will learn a lot from it and then be able to acknowledge further issues in everyday examples. I think this book has a lot to teach everyone. Even if I don’t win I’m going to buy a copy.
I think the book is very relevant in this climate of change. We need more voices from the black community to speak out and tell us what needs to be changed. To tell us where can we go from here. To tell us everything.
I would appreciate reading this book as I want to be able to understand more, to have help processing everything that's going on. I remember growing up being told "skin colour doesn't matter", however well meaning that sentiment was, it's clearly not the case. It affects areas of life I can't even begin to imagine. I'd like to be able to help my daughter understand these concerns.
Having not read the book, I clearly cannot make a wishy-washy statement about its importance, as I can only imagine the value it has. However, making a somewhat educated guess, I imagine that Eddo-Lodge is making a point about the self-congratulatory culture we are seeing, where white people are celebrating equality, yet not recognizing that the development towards it that has taken place is arbitrary and clearly not enough. Hence, I believe that in a context where awareness of issues of race, gender, etc. is growing, it is of crucial importance to also remind ourselves of the superficiality of much of this awareness and the problems that persist. Furthermore, I see the British context of the book as adding a very important perspective to the discussion on race. Racism is often discussed the most loudly in the American context, the importance of which is not to be underestimated, given its vast history of slavery and the outrageous issues of racism today, such as police brutality against black men. However, the loudness of the discussion on race in the US can often enforce the culture of self-congratulation in the form of remarks on how well things are outside of the US, and hence Eddo-Lodge's British perspective can also act as a wake-up call to the reality that racism is not a problem only "elsewhere" but in all of our everyday lives.
Personally, I will most likely be moving to the UK from Finland next fall, and hence I am planning to read this book in order to be more educated on race-related discussion in the country. I myself am white and therefore I feel it is my responsibility to be informed of the problems that I am (even if oftentimes unconsciously) a part of and do my best to actively combat those problems not only by passing judgement on others but also by exploring my own problematic habits or attitudes.
I'm currently sitting in a restaurant with a former student of mine. I taught her in 8th grade, she is now a Junior in high school. We hung out all day and discussed college options and scholarships. She happens to be a dark-skinned young lady and I'm white as can be. We live in the Deep South. She's a brilliant human, and we hang often. I always notice people looking at us, maybe curious as to what our relationship is. Once I noticed an employee in a bookstore watching us closely. [She's my reading accountability buddy. We check in with each other to make sure we reach our reading goals, so we go to bookstores often.]
This book is important because if someone doesn't have an amazing kid like her to hang with, they may never understand the micro-aggressions from which their privilege has spared them.
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