WIN a copy of Why I'm No Longer Talking to White People About Race by Reni Eddo-Lodge

[Naseera]

It is very important to read books like this because these days people discriminated and oppressed based on the race and wealth. One doesnt consider the fellow being as a human being. There is only fight and racism everywhere even in schools, office, public places etc. so to balance the situation i think there is a need of books like this in the society.

[Amy]

I’m a college teacher, and this book is important now because students are eager for conversation about race, and books are beautiful tools to help us enter that conversation.

[Courtney]

I think this book is important for intersectionality. White people need to be able to take a back seat and learn. There’s history and stories that have been systemically undervalued. This continues to affect all of us today. The burden should not be on people of color to teach those who have contributed, wittingly or unwittingly, to their systemic oppression. White people, the people in power, it is our responsibility to learn how we are accountable & complicit in the system that perpetuates our privilege today.

[Jeanne]

The book is important to see ourselves from the lens of the favored who haven’t a clue about what it’s like to be suspect merely by the shade of our skin. Unlike my Native friends, I’m not followed when I go through a store or required to pay before lodging in a room. We need to “walk a mile” in the shoes of the dispossessed to understand & seek change.

[MaryJane]

This book s not yet available in this area of the US. Due to the increased discussions and blatant racism which is occurring in our country, I would like to further my knowledge so that I may advocate for better education and understand the discrimination which still plagues us today. I want to be able to do my part to make our culture better and more diverse.

[Patty]

This book is so important because "black lives matter" is not offensive statement and yet it causes controversy. The fact that so many take offense to proves how vital it is that books like these exist. This conversation is overdue and needs not to end until we no longer have to scream for equal rights because the idea of inequality is just barbaric and antiquated.

[Elise]

I hate to be so curt, especially in light of the tomes before me... but I’m white. I need to read this.

[Danielle]

This book is important because it is time to shine a light on the issues that have been swept under the rug for far too long. Some may think race isn't an issue, or that they aren't "racist", and they don't want to talk about it, because they think they don't need to. But the only thing that can actually help change current viewpoints is that discussion and the subsequent listening and understanding from both sides.

[Stacia]

Of late, I've been reading race-related books, trying to better understand where we are (still with massive race problems here in the US) & how we can move forward to a better future while also passing the torch to the next generation, giving them the understanding, the tools, the empathy, the intelligence to make the world better than we have (so poorly) managed to do at this point. It's not just education for us, it needs to be education & understanding for us to share & pass down to those younger than us who will be inheriting our problems.

[Ashley]

This books content has always been important, however, only now is it a book that will be published and will be read by those that need to read it. It is important to explain why racism is still something that needs focus and now is the time.

[Emma]

This is one more tool that can help build skills and knowledge to be able to understand our world in its current shape and the context that has led to it. We need to be able to talk to one another if we are going to appreciate one another’s difference. White folks still have a lot of educating and changes to make.

[Sylvie]

Understanding and empathy is paramount; not just in relation to this book but in consideration of every human interaction. This book presents more than just and us vs. them perceptive. It is a human experience that demands love, that demand acceptance, that demand understanding, and that demands out attention: I would love to read more of her works and be a part of the solution to address racial discrimination and systemic issues.

[Caity]

This book is important to me because as a year 12 student in australia such things are NEVER brought up or addressed. We are never taught about these important issues which results in disgusting language and behaviours from my peers. This book makes it real. And shows people that these issues are out there and we need to be aware of them or the world will never change for good.

[Kathryn]

I read this book on my Kindle. I will re-read it over and over. I would love to win a hard copy so that I can have my teenagers read it. Then we will slap a book fairy sticker on it and leave it for someone else to read. Hopefully whoever finds the book will learn something about racism that they didn't know. As a journalist, the author has a unique voice and unearths historical events that those of us living in North America may not have read about. Especially shocking is the twenty years that it took to identify and charge the murderers of a black teenager who was killed in 1989 due to a corrupt system. 1989!!!

[Boo]

I think this book is important now as, like with sexism, people who are not racist and don’t have bad intentions have a form of internalized racism. If we’re aiming for true equality, we have to listen to all the voices out there and look for the mistakes within ourselves, learn from them and get better. We all need to do better. Sometimes I feel our empathy as a society is broken towards women or minorities. I spend a lot of time and energy learning about feminism, but only recently have I begun to understand that feminism had different challenges for people of color. I realized I’ve been wearing blinders and that’s not ok. I want to learn more, be more empathetic to things I may not understand or are different from the reality I’m familiar with and always keep an open mind. This book is important now because it is time we all look inside ourselves for our ugly truth, accept them and do better.

[Colton]

The obvious hypocrisy demonstrated by those who promote either inclusivity or exclusivism in today's society, especially when adjudicating exposure of anything to anyone, whether it be within the realm of free speech, art expression, or popular culture, is very telling of the collective knowledge on false dilemmas and creative imagination. To promote this book is to advocate for the awareness that respecting the autonomy of other sentient beings has extremely far-reaching ethical ramifications; consequences that we all ought to be prepared to face.

[Amber]

This is such an important book because we have been needing to have important yet uncomfortable discussions for so long now. I am so interested in seeing how this author goes into more detail about the struggles of having to have this discussion with white people, what seems like over and over again with no actual change in how things run in our society.

[Stardust1]

Racism is an important issue, no matter what time we're speaking about. It has shaped our society and its history in ways some of us don't really understand and, in some ways, don't even have the tools to understand.
On this day and age, when everything seems to get into the spotlight and shine, those tools are very important and I believe this books give us a very importat one: the view from the inside out. Nowadays It's very easy to adopt a cause and speak out our opinions, but very rarely those opinions are informed by real facts.
We need to understand human issues as humans, and getting the chance to see how the issue is lived throught the eyes of the other is a great way to do it. That's why this book is so important.

[Ericka]

I think racism is a lot more complicated than people admit. I’m just beginning to learn about and understand the history of racism and institutional racism. It’s not as simple as teaching kids that we’re equal. Things in society have to change dramatically for equality to flourish. But people have to understand that first.

[Shaun]

We're at a serious breaking point where race relations can only go one of two ways. Incremental progress is no longer a viable option, nor can hate ever be tolerated in any form. Yet it is, in both public and private spheres, from our courtrooms to our schools to our culture. Too long have we emphasized having a conversation about race with minorities, when we should've been listening only. We pretended to have achieved a post-racial society, during our first Black presidency, while mass incarceration climbed and George Zimmerman won an acquittal. White supremacy never went away, it disguised itself, sometimes even among minority communities themselves. Recognizing that fact is only the first step of what will be a long journey toward not a post-racial society, a goal that automatically gags voices of dissent, but an inclusive pro-racial society.

[Maddie]

I think this book is so important, especially at a time right now because racism is still a pretty big issue. I think it's really important to explore why we have such difficulty communicating with each other about our thoughts and ideas on race. Being a white woman I do not understand what it's like to be black. I think books like this can help people understand a little bit better.

[La Femme]

It’s important to be aware of diversity, but at the same time we shouldn’t constantly focus on differences. Embracing each other’s strengths and coming together with true interdependence is more important than anything. I’d love to read this book and learn more about the many facets of our society. No one person could possibly gain enough knowledge to understand everything, but the more knowledge you obtain and use, the better citizen you can become.

[Caroline]

I spend a lot of time on Twitter discussing books and a lot of the time racism comes up as a topic because through a more modern lens we can see that older books have racist undertones and problematic aspects. I find the discussions really interesting but I'm coming to realise that they aren't really my discussions to take place in because I am young and white and have never experienced the kind of oppression they are referring to.

I think that's why this book is so important. Racism and systemic oppression are still such huge parts of society that not everyone is willing to confront but even just the title provokes the kind of heated discussion there should be and the book (which I hope to read at some point) sounds like it'll be an insightful look at modern race and the unfortunate divides that still remain.

[Vanessa]

This book is so important because as we progress into what some are calling the fourth wave of feminism it’s important to not make the same mistakes white women in feminism have done in the past. Without critically looking at race and understanding the way people like myself continue to facilitate its existence we run the risk of dividing women instead of coming together in solidarity at times when we need it the most. All we need to do is look at the past waves of feminism to understand the ways not doing this significantly impacts and hurts women of colour. I have power as a white woman, just as many of us here do, so it’s really important that we learn how to use that power positively to raise up women of colour and make sure their voices are heard.

[Kathy]

We need this conversation in the world. This book is important because it’s 2018 and we need to shift our understanding. Just like many topics that are finally at the forefront, it’s time to talk about the uncomfortable, the hidden, the taboo - so that we may stop turning the other way hoping someone else will make it better.

[Angie]

This book is very important, not only because it touches on the unforgiving topic of race, but because it portrays the realities of the world we live in today. Thanks to this book, I was able to embrace my identity as an Afro Latina and I’m sure many more would benefit too.

[[deleted user]]

I think this book may get a lot of attention. In an interview on youtube, the author suggests that the progressive approach until very recently is "just to ignore race" and pretend we don't see it. Peggy McIntosh published her well-known article on White Privilege in 1988, a year before Ms. Eddo-Lodge was born, which on a historical scale is quite recent, but it seems to me that there have been much attention given to race in the last 30 years. In the U.S. the topic to avoid is economic inequality, which gets far less attention than race (currently, those who attempt to discuss it are dismissed as "Bernie Bros"). I suppose for people who haven't followed race issues, this book may prove illuminating, but I suspect there's not much new here, apart from the UK perspective.

[Lily]

Reni Eddo-Lodge’s book “Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race” is so important in today’s world because it reminds us that acknowledging and addressing racism is EVERYONE’S responsibility. And by everyone, I mean especially those who are typically not affected by racism. A common practice among predominately white communities is being unable to distinguish between a racist person and a racist action. These communities acknowledge that racism is bad and consider racist people to be horrible human beings, but are only able to see racism in extreme forms that are not relatable to what minorities experience today. As a teacher I see it every day in my students and their parents. They don’t see the ever present racism in today’s society because they (living in predominately white communities) are not informed about the experiences of people in a different race and class than themselves.

THIS is why this book is so important- because minority experiences need to be heard so the white majority will begin to see and realize that racism is alive and ever present in society today. People everywhere need to understand that racism is not always as blatant as the blatant discrimination written in school’s outdated history textbooks. They need to see and recognize that racism is just as much a systematic as it is a social issue, and that the system that supports the majority wasn’t made to support minorities. They need to see that the struggles and cries and problems that minorities face are real, and this book is a window of truth to give sight to the “colorblind.” Most importantly, this book is important because its pages give inspiration and direction to move its readers to address racism in our society in a way that is both productive and inclusive. With the rise of intersectionality, this book is exactly what the world needs to be educated and empowered to make a difference in our world.

[Natisha]

This year I’ve made a commitment to read more books written by women, for my own enjoyment and also to futher my feminist self-education. I joined my local library and picked up as many books as I could find—“Men Explain Things To Me” & “The Vagina Monologues” &“My Life On the Road”—so many great books that I’ve loved, that speak to my experience. All of these books have, in their own way, made me feel more connected to other women. But if we want our feminism to be truly intersectional, and hopefully we all do, then we need to learn more about and support marginalized people everywhere, not just women and not just in our own part of the world.

This book, written by Reni Eddo-Lodge, isn’t available at my local library so I haven’t had the chance to read it yet, unfortunately. But I’ve read about it and I’m excited to delve into this one, too.

The title alone is radical: “Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race.” As a woman of color, I can feel white people around me flinch and grow uncomfortable when I simply say the words, “white people” out loud. It’s as if being confronted with their own race, with the idea of race in general is somehow offensive. And I can understand it.

Growing up as a brown girl in a predominantly white suburb in California, I never saw myself as anything other than white just like everyone else, just like my father. Race wasn’t really something we talked about outside of history class, but it was there, pushed to the margins of our society, of our vocabulary. It took years of being told by those around me, by my peers, my friends, even my own family, that I was somehow different—that I looked different—to make me fully aware of my own skin color, that it could have any meaning beyond never having a bad sunburn.

I was hurt at first, but eventually I was able to learn from it. I broadened my understanding of who I was, my identity as a person of color. I learned to step back and try to examine race in my own life: not only how other people and institutions see me and treat me, but how I have internalized racism towards others and even towards myself. I am still learning, and unlearning, everyday.

I started making more friends whose families were immigrants, like mine, from all over the world. In these new circles race exists out in the open. It is talked about, joked about; we’re able to acknowledge the reality of race in our own lives, which in itself feels like an act of defying and dismantling it’s power.

I think the reason people of color are more comfortable talking about race is because we are confronted by it everyday. When we fail to see ourselves reflected in the world, even in seemingly superficial realms—art, music, films, TV shows, magazine ads and TV commercials, hair care products and makeup (the struggle to find a truly nude lip color is REAL)—in so many small ways we’re constantly made aware that we simply are not the norm. White people live as the default. They have the luxury of not being aware of their own race or the privilege it brings (in so many larger, profound ways).

If we ever hope to bring an end to racism ingrained within our social structures and within ourselves, we need to start by demystifying race—the concept and the words surrounding it. We need to be less afraid to talk about it—and not just people of color. White people need to talk about it. White people need to see the discussion of race and privilege not as an attack, but as an opportunity to join the conversation.

This book is especially important now more than ever because movements in our society are pulling these topics out of the margins and pushing them front and center. Black Lives Matter, #MeToo, the Women’s March, Time’s Up, Standing Rock and Indigenous movements around the world are forcing all of us—people of color and white people in particular—to acknowledge and discuss these issues like never before. This book is one important part of continuing that difficult but necessary conversation.

So, I’m adding it to my purchase list. I still have a lot of catching up to do on this front, though, so in the meantime I think I’ll explore what the library does have to offer in the way of bell hooks, James Baldwin, Audre Lorde and the like. Any other suggestions are always appreciated.

[Julie]

I have not read the book, but love the title. It sounds like the author is fed up with having to confront willful ignorance in the form of racial prejudice. The hope in having such a provocative title may be to get white people in particular to read the book and learn more about how racism is a continuing and much more significant problem than most whites probably realize. This education is imperative for the healing of racism in America (and wherever it rears its ugly head). It is a subtle (subtle unless you are confronted by it on a daily basis), but pervasive aspect of American society and until we acknowledge that, we cannot hope to eradicate it. What people may not realize, is that both the oppressor and the oppressed are injured by the injustice of racism. If this book's purpose is to wake people up to their reality, and empower them to change it, I hope it is read and discussed widely!

[Sandra]

This book is important because representation and giving/hearing voices that have been, and still are, repressed needs to be finally heard. We need to learn and we need to listen and value all voices.

[Varsha]

I think this book is important, especially in this day and age, because it deals with an issue that affects everyone. To paraphrase Jon Stewart, race is there whether we like it or not - it exists and it is a constant. Ignoring it or pretending that you "don't see color" is going to do absolutely NOTHING.

People, usually white people, will sometimes insist that racism is not an issue anymore, that the Civil Rights Movement was decades ago, so racism is over. Besides, black people aren't slaves anymore or beholden to Jim Crow laws - they can vote, we've (in the US) even had a black President. Except one just has to compare the statistics on poverty or education or nearly anything else to realize that life is very different for white people and for minorities in America. Coming from a minority background, I've become increasingly aware of the limitations placed on me by my race, gender, and other demographic markers. And when I've spoken up about these inequalities, I usually get a few different kinds of responses from white people. First, there are those who truly sympathize and try to understand the struggle, and for them, I am grateful. Then, there are those who are skeptical, who can't believe that this goes on in the 21st century, and I really do understand where they come from - sometimes, it's hard for me to fathom as well, and I've lived it! And finally, there are always those who are offended, as if I'm calling them racist; they are offended when people call out their "white privilege". This is where we need to increase understanding. When minorities call white people privileged, we are in no way saying that white people have it easy or that they don't struggle. We are merely saying that there are certain issues white people will never have to face. Sure, a white person may not get a job, but (in America at least), it will not be because of their race, whereas for a minority person, race is a constant factor in life. We need to bridge that gap of understanding. We, as a society, have done a great job in teaching each other that racism is bad, but we lack in teaching people what racism actually is. Sure, we know of the obvious forms of racism - lynching, harassment, and the like - but we're not completely aware of the subtler forms - the being passed over for a job because of your race, the being followed too closely by a suspicious authority figure. Because of this lack of understanding, white people feel that they are being attacked, that they're being called racist for no reason. We need to better educate ourselves and each other. White people must try to stop being so offended when minority people speak up about their experiences, and minorities need to be firmer, more confident when speaking up.

I know this is all easier said than done, but it is books like this one, forums like this, and conversations like the ones we are having that will allow us to truly understand one another, to get past whatever petty differences may exist to appreciate just what the other person is trying to say. It may seem that doing any of this is impossible, but I think my generation and the next are capable of doing this. We can move mountains - and we'll do so with the help of books like Why I'm No Longer Talking To White People About Race

[Crystal]

I believe the book to be important in educating people, such as myself on the true history of people of color. I look forward to learning about how I could make a change in my society and culture with the new knowledge of what people of color have or continue to experience. I hope to be a voice, however, I want to be a voice that knows the truth. A voice that can maybe understand and take action.

[Natalie]

I believe that this book is relevant in today's society because beyond, and because of, the world's deep roots in racism, the novel prompts discussion. The book causes a change in the pace of the current frustrating conversation on racism and simply invites attention and eyes. Being only sixteen myself, I continue to learn and discover new ideas and perspectives constantly. I hope to educate myself further on the issue and push myself to act in response. As a young Asian American, I have not experienced the full brunt of racism as of yet, and know and see the truth when that time comes. This book is, and will be, significantly beneficial in this endeavor.

[Julie]

Kelly wrote: "As a white school counselor of privilege in a predominantly African American Title 1 elementary school, I want to make sure that I am providing the best services for my families. As part of these s..."

Kelly, you might like to read "Courageous Conversations About Race: a field guide for achieving equity in schools" I also work in a Title I elementary school and recently bought this book because I too am seeking to be more effective. May we both achieve what we are striving for!

[Chaya]

Because it’s 2018.

[Ozge]

Because this days gender equality means nothing to people but this book add a new word for anything about equality and now they think what should they do for there rights not women's rights!

[Averi]

This book is relevant and impactful today because so many people can see the racial difference in the world yet they do not see the problem. So many people realize racism still exists yet do not understand why people will not talk to them about race. I think this book will help people understand how people feel about racism and why they won't talk to certain people about the things they go through

[AJ]

In this time in our history, many white people do not acknowledge that racism exists and have little to no grasp on what the idea of systemic racism even is.
It is time for us, as white people, to give up the notion that we can be the authority on racism. That notion is born of white privilege and to think we can begin to understand what it means to be a person of color in this America is misguided. Reading this book and others like it is important for me because I will never, ever understand what it is like to be anything other than a white woman. I need to educate myself. I need to listen when others speak, read what they write and stand up when I see injustice. Books like this one are a vital part of learning how to be part of the solution.
Thank you.

[Joan]

This book is especially important now, considering the turmoil of our present society. I would like to learn more about and have a wider understanding of different issues concerning race.

[Skye]

One of the best terms I've learnt in a course about Indigenous Australians was the term anti-racist racist. The idea that although we, especially as a white person, try to not be racist, it still lingers in ourselves and society. This book hooks into that tendency and term, it reminds us to beaware of our inherent racism and in doing so, helps us to find a way to do our part in reducing the impact and social gaps caused by racism and white privilege.

[Shalini]

I think reading this book is important because there are still parts of every country, every state where racism exists. And it doesn’t affect the people who aren’t oppressed. It’s high time we talk about it openly. We talk enough about it that people who do racism, cease right aways. We need to read this book in order to make a world where this book is not needed.

[Zarina]

This book is important because racism is such a really big problem in the society today and to see someone’s view on this problem is important as well and to see what they think.
Also cause I would like to read this book on this interesting book. So hopefully I get to read this book.

[Sam]

This book is important, because in order to help stop oppression we have to be able to have legitimate conversations about the ways in which others are oppressed and the things we can do as those with certain privileges to work to gain rights and equality for others.

[Iveth]

First of all, I want to win a copy because it's so difficult to find in my country.

This book is so important nowadays because despite a lot of us could think that the globalism and tech evolution would bring an increasing feeling of cosmopolitalism, it's not what happen. Brexit and the rise of Donald Trump shows that: instead of create a feeling of integrarion between every human being (no matter their identity, culture, genre, etc.), we face the globalism with walls to separate us from the Other. And this also happens with the issue of race. Just because in the last century were a lots of movementa and protests, white people think that the black people gained the same opplrtunities, but with the pass of decades, they could find new ways to invisibilize them, to discriminate them, to abuse. Because as a woman can be sure that I suffer situations that a lot o mans wouldn't understand or believe: and that also happen to black people.

And despite all the speech of equality and progress, USA (and in general, the West World) still watching to the black people as other kind, still reproduce the hate and the discrimination. It's just that a lots of us don't see, or don't to think about it and/or open the eyes.

[Raquel]

This book is so important because, despite it's name, I believe it promotes a better unerstanding of a perspective different than one's own, as well as gives room for the frustration, misundestanding, and anger of not being seen to be illuminated.

[Rebekka]

it's always a good time to learn more about equality and there has nothing to be left out in the learning-process. racism still is very political and so personal at the same time. we need voices that educate us here. for understanding, for love, for unity.

[Katt]

I think this book is important for several reasons. Unfortunately, we live in a world where racism continues to pose a problem, and not just in the US or the UK. It’s everywhere. Unless you have been on the receiving end of racism, it’s hard for you to comprehend how it feels. It’s sad that society seems to be focused on so much negativity. We keep attacking each other, which only divides us and causes more problems. We need to unite as one, and realize that we can achieve so much more together than apart. I think it’s important to try to keep an open mind. I’m sure we are all aware of certain words and actions that are obviously racist, but there are also things we may do and say that can be perceived in a negative way, even if we don’t mean it to be. Instead of getting more angry, we need to try to understand the feelings of others. Otherwise, we’re just digging ourselves into a deeper hole.

[Maya]

I would love to win this book because I really want the opportunity to be educated on matters like this. It's very important to me.
Thank you for this opportunity!

[Emma]

The book is important as racism sadly is more common these days and the problem needs to be discussed and for me this would be such and interesting read.