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

[Rick]

This book is important because too few people are engaging in courageous conversations.

[Nicole]

As I haven't read the book yet I can only go by the title, and it seems to be super important specially for white people to read, as so many have a very hard time understanding privilege and how minorities suffer becuase of their lack of it. With not accepting the privilege we are more prone to fall into daily racism. Specially when we don't want to listen when minorities try to explain what their issues are.

[Katrina]

I don't know why this book is important because I've never read it.

I do know what it is like to experience racism though. I do know what it's like trying to explain to your white friends all of the little things that they have never had to deal with. I know what it's like for your white grandmother to call you colored.

I want to be more involved in the conversation about racism, but mostly I just want this book so that I feel less alone.

[Ross]

The book is one of the best and having met the Author I can attest she is every bit as committed as her work suggests.

[Jonathan]

I think this book is relevant to how and where the modern society is currently standing. It gives a different perspective and knowledge to enhance what we don't already know about the huge problem that is racism.

[divina]

This book is important because we live in a society that no respects the diversity.

We need to educate ourselves in the topic, and this book is a good way.

[Roffino]

I want a copy of the book “Why I’m no Longer Talking to White People about Race” because I am white and I want to continue to understand what it means to live life in the US as a person of color. I want to better understand because it will make me a more aware citizen, it will help me vote better for people who are willing to fight for equality, and it will help me as an educator of college students better understand how to ask questions to get them to think critically about issues of race in today’s society.

The truth about race is often pretty self-evident: all people should be treated equally regardless of skin color. The trouble is often in the nuance. All people face discrimination, generalizations, and stereotypes, but POC face this even more and in such varied ways. And then there are the Eric Garner and Trayvon Martin stories that tell POC real truths: that their lives are less valuable and that they may get killed. At any time. For misunderstandings and because of incorrect snap judgements. Wow. Would anyone feel safe and comfortable knowing that?

It’s hard for me as a white dude to even imagine what life as a POC means when I can turn off color and stop thinking about race. People of color can’t not wonder if others are judging and stereotyping whenever they have new interactions. 

I’ve learned more about race from my adult students and the realities of their lives, (Kenton, Jermonty, Jeremiah, Krisshun, Aldahir, Artemio, Alexis, and hundreds of others). When I think of people of color now, I don’t think abstract. I imagine these incredible kids faces. Their worried faces. I am thirsty for more awareness so I can pass the knowledge on and teach people to talk to those different from them with respect. Stories give us power, and with that power we can help others better imagine what they could never see otherwise. 

Let’s keep this conversation going, fellow Americans. Share stories. Keep the energy up. Even with people who think differently than us. Especially with these Americans too. To ask for respect, we have to give it too, even, especially, when it isn’t deserved. As Maya Angelou said, “If we lose love and self-respect for each other, this is how we finally die.”
Z

[Coleen]

I just finished reading Patrisse Khan-Cullors new book, “When They Call You a Terrorist, A Black Lives Matter Memoir.” She describes how her mentally ill black brother, who was sentenced unjustly to prison, tortured and treated like an animal for years, was sent home in a t-shirt and boxer shorts on a public bus when he was finally let out, fully in a mental episode. That scene is going to haunt me for a long time. Books like these are important right now because people’s lives are quite literally at stake everyday. The more resources I can get my hands on and into the hands of my community, the better. We need to stop privately lamenting these horrors, and be equipped to meet them with change.

[Nomita]

This book is very relevant in today's society. This book is important
because it raises the issue which we don't really talk or discuss about. By sharing our ideologies on this issue we understand what other people think, what's their point of you.

[Ari]

I've heard so many great things about this book. I'm especially intrigued at the prospect of reading about British race relations. Also I love how young the author is, she's absolutely killing the game.

[Traci]

This book is important because so many conversations about race get co-opted by white people. This book is a reminder that the conversation should center everyone and anyone else.

[Adrienne]

I would love to leave an answer as to why this book is so important, but I haven’t read it yet. I’m looking forward to it, as I’ve been hearing how impactful it’s been for so many people. I’d love the chance to experience it myself.

[Fera]

At first I was not excited when Emma picked this book as our next read. The reason is because I thought I wouldn't be able to relate. I am from Indonesia. I live as a majority here, by being a Muslim. I think I never see people by their race. Racism is what I see and read from western medias. It is real but far away from myself.
Then I tried to read sample pages of the ebook. How wrong I was. I feel like I am exactly like the white person described in the book. I am blinded by my being as a part of the majority. And racism is not only happening among white and black person. There are other kind of racism. And I might unconsciously being a part of that.
I would like to be given the opportunity to read the whole book because it is important for me, as a majority in my community, to know and learn more about race and racism. Just because I am not white or black, doesn't mean that I am not prone to racism.

[Ulrike]

This book is really important, because we need to knock down all negative, which is holding people down and which is trying to separate our community.

We need to make ourself aware that we need to take care of each other. The world isn’t all white or all men...there are a 100 thousand colors on this world and we must stand all together, to fight that one day everyone will have the same rights.

[Séréna]

Hi. I’m French. Can I say that everything dealing with race is okay right here, right now ? Certainly not. Did I imagined that it was greater in countries like Britain ? Probably. But it is not. And I NEED to know why colored history isn’t as great as white history for any peoples.

Why I’m No Longer Talking to White Peoples About Race is absolutely, unconditionally, important now. I fight by my own everyday against difference that leads to discrimination. Wether it’s by adults or kids-teenagers I hear a mount of horrible speaks and HUURK. I don’t have words to express how that sucks. It appears like an evidence right now that I need something that could explain it to me.

Also, I need to open my mind to discover the envergure of that fuckin’ thing that is racism around the planet. Reni gives us the opportunity to learn what it truly is to be a black person at Britain. It sounds in France like nobody (or seems like) is talking about it. Right. But why ? But how it is ? How does it sucks ? Tell me, right now. I’m ready to sit as long as it will be necessary. I’m ready to be quiet and to listening. I’m ready to learn. I’m ready to understand and to evolve,progressing, growing.

I want...
I need...
I have to understand.

Thank you so much for giving us the opportunity to win this life-lightening book.

PS: I feel so much sorry if I said anything that sounds bad, any mistakes or blunders : it was really not my intention.

Love on hearth,
Séréna

[Cheryl]

I think this book is important because even though many people in my country (UK) feel race isn't as much of a problem here, it actually is. And the fact that it still is (despite all the modern technology and global communication) means it is a bigger problem than we (as white people) can ever possibly hope to understand.
We need to stop questioning when people tell us about negative experiences they've had, and start believing. We need to be part of the solution because if we're not we're part of the problem.

[Elizabeth]

As a white woman living in Canada, I understand and accept that I am in a very privileged position. That position makes me even more aware of the injustice that surrounds me. While Canada does not have the same blatant and deep-seeded issues with racism that I see played out day after day in places like the USA or South Africa, for example, I am not ignorant enough to believe that systemic racism does not exist in my own country. Sadly, racism is universal.

That being said, just because racism exists, both in my own country and abroad, does not mean I have to accept it. I could never do that. It's just not in my nature. Racism, even in its most subtle forms, is intolerable and I will continue to speak out whenever I have the opportunity to do so. Yet, I often find myself at a loss, when trying to confront a racist. My intentions are noble, but I sometimes lack the words to express myself cogently, relying on pure emotion, sinking into anger and, oftentimes, just giving up out of pure frustration.

I feel as though I lack the experience to deliver a convincing message. After all, given the way I look, who would take me seriously? My experience is rooted solely in observation. I haven't actually been racially discriminated against, so how can I know what that really feels like? I can only empathize.

I accept that I am an outsider looking in. I know I run the risk of being perceived as the kind of "social justice warrior" who fights the good fight publicly, then returns to her lovely home in her well-manicured (very white) neighbourhood, puts her activism on the shelf for another day, and smugly pats herself on the back for a job well done. I don't want to be that person.

It would be nice to have the tools, to know the right words to say, to understand the message that people of colour want to have delivered on their behalf, rather than imposing my interpretation of their message and being just another well-meaning, but misguided, privileged white person. I want to make a difference, as a human being, and not just echo hollow talking points and worn out, clichéd phrases. I'm hoping this book will help.

[Melinda]

In the Trump era (yuck), race and racism are more on the forefront of society's minds than ever before. With that increased awareness comes an unfortunate tendency to demand the emotional labor of race-aware tutoring from people of color, especially (in the US) black people, who are only trying to live their lives. In order to confront the demons of racism, we first have to confront ourselves. This is a book that will allow us to do so without directly bothering anyone.

[Melinda]

All i did was mention the name of this book to my friends and family , and the name of the book in and of itself stirred up conversation. This is why I think is 'Why I'm No Longer Talking to White People About Race' by Reni Eddo-Lodge is a book that is important to today's time. It's clearly a conversation that has been needing to happen, and whether the first thoughts spoken out load are positive or negative, everyone seems to have feelings stirred up inside them whenever the topic of racism is brought up. I would love to have this book on my book shelf so that it can continuously play the role of "conversation starter". Also, I would hope that whenever someone notices it and has something to say, that I'm open to hearing what that person has to say to encourage the conversation.

[Ebba]

I would love to win this book because I think it will be an extremely eye opening read. In today’s society where racism is sadly still very much alive I think it is important to try and listen to what the people who are affected by it say, because it so easy to think you are doing everything right but I also believe that people who have privileges don’t see them. Therefore, I would love to win this book and be able to read it and learn from someone who knows what it is really like and afterwards try and see the privileges I have and be a better person because of them.

Thank you for giving me this opportunity!

[Ruth]

I would love to read this book as I feel it would be very educational for me.
I have never experienced racism and I live largely surrounded by white people, so I don't appreciate or understand the issues people who are not white face. Equally I don't have any non white friends that I can discuss these issues with so I feel very ignorant and may inadvertently appear racism in my comments as I don't appreciate the issues behind them.
It sounds like a book everyone should read.

[Abi-rose]

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, ..."
As a history teacher, I think this book is integral to explaining and evaluating the way in which racism continues to grow, develop and cause such deep-rooted difficulties. I think the more that we are able to read and develop our own knowledge and face our own misunderstandings and miscommunications. As Reni herself says:
"This is what structural racism looks like. It is not just about personal prejudice, but the collective effects of bias. It is the kind of racism that has the power to drastically affect people’s life chances. These highly educated, high-earning white men are very likely to be in positions that influence others’ lives – teaching, prosecuting, examining college applicants and hiring staff. They are almost certainly the kind of people who set workplace cultures."

To be able to teach a change, we must first understand it in its entirety.

[Marie-Louise]

Is it only up to black people to fight for black people's rights? Is it only up to women to fight for women's rights? No, it's up to all of us; it's up to me.
Simply because we do not see the effects of racism, misogyny or any other inequality of today's society clearly in front of us every day does not mean that it is any less of a problem. We need to open our eyes to what is going on. Only when we begin to do that can we start changing it to the better. More people need to become aware of the ugly parts of our society. And I would love to share that with friends and family through this book, for I would love to one day see a world, where we can accept and love others without diminishing them because of their gender, sexuality, race, religion, political opinion and where we start treating others as equals, where we stand together because of what unites us, rather than separate because of what divides us.

[Day]

As someone in the US, I feel like it is abundantly obvious why racial conversations are absolutely necessary. We are seeing low wages, high incarceration rates, and police brutality that is aimed at people of color. That is all to say nothing of the policies that are arising from a very white (and male) government. I think it's crucial for white people to read and understand the many many ways in which we are not only falling short but in how we are exceedingly privileged. This book, in particular, is important because it is not from the perspective of someone in the US. We can often, here in the US, believe that racism happens in a vacuum (only in the south, or in our country, etc) and opening up the conversation to a more global perspective is critical to really hitting the point home. I think it's also important that we white people take initiative to learn and grow. We should be educated by people of color but not for free or when it's convenient to us, but in the same ways, we've acquired important information in the past, by seeking it out and doing the hard work. I also think it's important that we read these kinds of books because there is no room to argue with the author and shut down his or her perspective with our privilege. We are forced to take in the whole of it and process it, something we may not be willing to do in a conversation.

[Lisa]

It can be hard for human beings to accept that they, their loved ones, their beliefs, and worldview are wrong. Our minds work in such a way that any contradiction or challenge can result in dramatic and sometimes violent defense against all evidence. We'd rather plug our ears and live in blissful ignorance no matter who it hurts because changing is...hard. We'd rather shout one another down than confess to our part in the suffering surrounding us It's time we let our defenses down and listened with compassion. We can do better only when we know better and books like this certainly help us see the world, and the way has been thinking, living, and treating one another in a new light.

[staykind]

race is the cause of much of the world's problems. we must stop talking and start doing. true integration is radical acceptance.

[Shalyn]

I think to see why this book is so important NOW you don’t need to look much further than the comment section on any news story regarding race issues, i.e coverage of athletes kneeling during the American anthem in protest of police brutality, Indigenous people’s protesting pipelines etc. It may seem silly to look here for this answer, however, here you will see how many stereotypes and misconceptions people still hold against certain races. Not only that, but there are clear demonstrations of what Remi describes as people entering the conversation of race issues from very different positions. With social media being such a huge part of the younger generation’s source for learning and absorbing information, this is concerning. Therefore this also demonstrates what Remi mentions in her book: that a very necessary step to eliminating racism and opening the ability for conversations where all parties enter on equal ground is education. Clearly at home and school people are not learning enough about coloured peoples’ histories. Therefore, the stereotypes keep sticking because of it, the white privilege remains unnoticed, and conversations continue to be impossible.

[Barbara]

This book is important to keep seeing how structural and institucional racism affects our society and specially how speak up is important no matter how you decided to do that. We got nothing to lose when we decide to stand up for something, but you got a lot to win and a lot to fight for when you do.

[Kaye]

It's finally 2018, and the world needs to end discrimation more than ever. While we have advanced tremendously in communications, biotechnology, energy, robotics, semiconductors, high-speed trains, supercomputers, genetics and automobiles, we still have a long way to go with the awareness of the problem of racial discrimination.

This book is so important now. That the individual who reads this book understands that the only person who can end discrimination is him/her. If enough of us make a daily, conscious effort not to discriminate, it is possible for real societal change to take place.

That the individual who reads this book starts looking at everyone as equal, and going above and beyond to support those who likely feel discriminated against. Because it’s the right thing to do.

[Katherine]

While it is of no surprise that racism and sexism are very complex societal issues, rarely do we realize that they are absolutely inter-sectional. It is no longer adequate or even acceptable to erase women of color from the feminist movement. They have been leading the way from the very beginning, and due to our own prejudices, (individually and culturally), women of color have been left out of major discussions and actions that should involve them. Something else that is undoubtedly critical to discuss is the conflict between classes and how Capitalism effects women of color the most mercilessly. None of us feel comfortable assessing our own prejudices, so when white women are told they aren't inclusive enough, it can be seen as a personal attack. In reality, women of color are not only needed in feminist circles, but indispensable. Seeing the perspectives of individuals different from oneself helps one grow as a human being and most certainly as an activist of any valuable cause.

As a resident of the Southern part of the U.S., I have witnessed my own privilege as well as the privileges of other white people who have no trouble waving Confederate flags, having Confederate statues, and completely disregarding a sense of sensitivity towards issues pertaining to race. We, as white women have a long, complicated road ahead of us for recognizing our privilege, standing alongside our sisters, and allowing them to speak for themselves without us hindering their unique voices and inter-sectional struggles.

[Rebecca]

This book is important because race is an issue in America today. I was just talking to my sons yesterday about an article one son read in class about the n—word, and how it is never okay for people to use that word, even when they are singing along to music lyrics. They discussed this issue in an almost all Caucasian classroom, and their general consensus was that is was okay. I do not think people understand the power of their words, and how important it is to have these discussions. I have also been reading “The New Jim Crow,” and it is so important to be knowledgeable about the facts and how systemic racism is in our society. Thanks for an opportunity to win the book!

[Catie]

I think this book is incredibly important today because there is a huge amount of people in America that believe that racism is a thing of the past-- while engaging in it, I might add. I had a roommate last semester who was on a campaign with her boyfriend to try to tell me that racism wasn't important and people were just too sensitive while constantly saying things like "I'm sorry, I've just never met a courteous black person, they're all rude and think you're out to get them." And when I told them about the fact that I was having a conversation with an adult man in which he said, verbatim, "The difference is, with white people there's 1 bad for every 10 good, but with black people it's 10 bad for every one 1" they agreed! Needless to say, that rooming situation did not work out, I moved out. People like them and the man I spoke to are why this book is so important in today's day and age.

[Elli]

I'm not sure exactly how this book is written but the title makes me think of the importance of racism and most importantly for the side of the "white" race! In my belief white people are less aware of the implications of racism because they don't usually receive much. So probably they are the ones that least understand it! I feel that the book will talk about this difficulty of white people approaching racism. It is sad that we are in 2018 and we still have these problems.

[Ana Paula]

I havent read the book yet, nor am familiar with reviews for wanting to keep my interaction with its ideas fresh - but I do have a gut feeling about the importance of this book being connected to what Cornel West once described "being suspicious of color-blindness". From my own experience, I relate to this suspiciousness based on how certain (white) people whose lives intersected with mine enjoyed declaring themselves color-blind but were actually harmful, and how they seemed oblivious to the fact that they were throwing themselves a bone for their own condescending demeanor.

[Leslie]

Elizabeth wrote: "As a white woman living in Canada, I understand and accept that I am in a very privileged position. That position makes me even more aware of the injustice that surrounds me. While Canada does not ..."
Hi Elizabeth, I am also a white woman living in Canada. While I agree with you that we have less racism here regarding black people, we do have a very sad history of racism toward the indigenous population which is and has been not only quite blatant, but also shameful. These are the people who were here first, but they are treated like second class citizens. We are not in a position to be self-righteous. I know that our Prime Minister promised to improve the lives of our First Nations, but I haven't heard any news of that happening, and I am very disappointed. I'm not sure what we as individuals can do, but I would like to do something to improve the lives of those who suffer discrimination.

[Audrey]

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, ..."

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, ..."

With conservative politicians taking the lead and more and more young people of color being killed by those who should be protecting them, I feel we all need to learn more about race.

[Mary]

I think this book is important, because like many other people have stated, racism is a hugely prevalent issue that we need to address and fix. While I try to do my best, I recognize that sometimes I screw up when talking about this with other people and I know that I need more information myself. This is my fight, but it isn’t about me, so figuring out the best way is a priority

[Shauna]

This remains such an important issue, but people generally remain unaware of the intricacies. We do need to talk about it. And we need to act. We need to be better.

[Georgie]

I believe this book is important right now because of the times we live in. We need to understand each other and we need to make change. My normal everyday i hear and see hints of racism that leads to a much larger scale issue. I hate it and I want change. I would like to read this book in order to help me understand what I can do to help make this change.

[Mila]

This book is important because it will make us realize that sometimes things that we do things are racist. It will make us realize all the micro-agressions that the black community support every single day. When we realize that we will be more focus on the way we talk and act with black people. Reading a testimony help to understand what the person live, it gives us empathy. And I think it's even more important to talk about racism in a country like Britain, probably because I never imagined that they could be racism in that country. It shows, I think, the hide face of this country (that I really love).
We also need to really to realize that white feminism is not feminism at all because feminism is the believe that ALL the men and ALL the women deserve to have the same rights as human beings.
We have to realize that being a black woman is definitely more hard than to be a white woman.
This book may explore also the fact you are not black but you become black, because in South African countries most of the people have black skin so they don't see themselves as black but as human beings, simple human beings (Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Léonora Miano explain this).
Sadly, that kind of books still need to be written and they still need to be read. We need to realize that this problem exist and we need to do our best to solve it. Maybe the first step is by reading this book.
The personal is political.

[Paulo]

Dear OSS, I'm from Chile, Southamerica, right now we have an apparent social and economic stability in coparisson with the rest of the countries of our region. Please believe me when I tell you that in this days the Migration is bigger than ever in history. Mainly, people from Haiti hopes an oportunity for a better life here, but we are just learning how to establish relationships with them. I belive that we need EDUCATION for this issue with URGENCY, we must open our minds and hearts to build a new global paradigm, where we all have the responsability to respect the inherent dignity of the human being.
Migration is an unstopable fact, it's a necessity and a solution for many people who is looking for a chance to improve their life conditions.
Therefore, I feel this book could be a light that teach us how to understand a subject which is usually in the shadow of the ignorance and prejudice.
We are just ONE; Human Being, maybe this book help us to see that clearly.

Hugs for all!!

[Nina]

Why I'm no longer talking to white people about race: a book that's especially relevant today, in a time where there's increasingly more attention for the discrimination of minority groups, so not just 'black people' but also women. With so much 'progress' and conversations about the problems in our current society, it's easy to forget that, even though the position of minorities in our society has somewhat improved, it is still far removed from a society where every single person has equal opportunities and rights, on paper, but also in practice.

I myself am a white person, and I have never experienced a situation where I was being rejected because of the color of my skin. Because of that, it's hard for me to imagine what it would be like. For the average white person, 'improvement' of the situation is enough, because we can't feel how black people are actually doing, how they're feeling about the place they hold in our current society. All we can do is look up quotas of how many black people are in high positioned jobs, just as we can do that for women. Me myself being a woman, I never get why, in language and use of words for example, some men don't see how women are portrayed as less worthy or less equal, less human. It's comparable to the blacks-whites dichotomy: it's very difficult to put yourself in the position of 'the other', difficult to place yourself in the other's shoes because you perceive the other to be so utterly DIFFERENT.

And maybe that's where the problem lies: the differences are rooted so deeply in our identities and lifestyles, that it's hard to understand each other. We identify ourselves by stating what we're NOT, and these things happen to be what these other groups ARE. Black, white, female, male. It creates social cleavages in our society. If we try to put ourselves in the other's shoes, we lose that kind of image we have about who we are ourselves. And knowing who you are is something crucial to today's society, where we have to portray who we are and what we do on social media websites such as Facebook and Instagram.

So is that simply it then? There are social cleavages in our society and we can't do anything about it because they're rooted so deeply into our identities? I don't think that's the case. I think that, the moment we start looking outside our own lives and start talking to each other, very earnestly and open-minded, that we'll find a lot of similarities between all these different groups. That we're all one kind: mankind. (Even though I don't necessarily agree with that word, since it implicitly already elevates men over women).

I realize that this book is called why I'm NO LONGER talking to white people about race, but I also think that's exactly the reason why every (white) person should read it. I think we're no longer really listening to each other, and therefore we don't feel heard, and therefore the people who were portrayed as inferior (so blacks, women, other minorities) just stopped talking about it, because the other ones just won't listen. They feel comfortable in their position, and can easily ignore the peril of others. And I'm already implying the social cleavages with my own language: the others.

Women, just like black people, are a large group, and when we all unite, we're a force to be reckoned with. Women organized marches, and are forcing more and more men to actually start listening. I think a book such as the one we're talking about today is crucial in uniting everyone, raising awareness about the issue. It helps in creating such open-minded and mutually interested conversations. A book is good, because people can acclimatize to the ideas and adjust their thoughts. They do not have to feel the urge to immediately defend themselves, because they're sitting by themselves with their own thoughts and reflections before talking to others about it. And when they start talking to others about it, they do not have the superficial ideas about the 'other', because they just read a book about their concerns and frustrations.

It's also more difficult to ignore once it's written down on paper and published: it's more difficult to say something like 'it's just not true'.

[Griselda]

I started reading the book and I found a new answer to this question.

There was a section (it's an e-book so I don't know the exact page. The e-book was the only copy I could get my hands on since the library still has its physical copies in order) where she said that in secondary school, the only knowledge she had of black history was America-centric (MLK Jr, Rosa Parks etc.)

This book is important because it is devastating to not know about your own history in your own country. I grew up in the States, so learning about the American Civil War and the Civil Right movements were all part of my country's (and therefore, my) history. To me, African Americans were as much part of this country as White Americans. I didn't see a difference in status because I grew up post-segregation. I knew racism still existed because I am a fan of hip-hop. But the mere fact that our crude history wasn't being covered up as a source of empowerment. Same with the feminist movement. But not knowing about your own history is shocking. It's what all dystopians have in common.

My family is Mexican, but I grew up in the States so I consider myself an American. I have more in common with white people than I do with my Mexican born cousins. It's very similar to how Reni felt British. It never really bothered me that my Mexican heritage wasn't brought up because as a kid, I didn't feel like it would matter. America was the land of opportunity so why focus on Mexico? In a way, I was blinded to race (just like Reni was) and the effects it could have on me. As an adult, I started embracing more and more of my Hispanic heritage but it's difficult when immigration is such a thick issue (have you heard of "the wall" that Trump is trying to build?). To Mexicans, "la migra" is more threatening than the police. They can affect families. Hard working Mexicans aren't even given a second glance to their contributions to this country. They are judged by their lack of citizenship. But you can't really talk about it because then the whole "well they aren't really citizens. They have no protection here" laws come into play. It wasn't until recently that I learned the states had a Hispanic Heritage Month. But I felt disassociated with my own blood because it wasn't the stronger race. My friend who works in the banking company told me that if you apply as a Hispanic, you automatically get given a larger interest rate. This was new to me because, when I was getting ready for college, I was told that being different was going to get me scholarships and all these opportunities. But I, fortunately, lived in Southern California where diversity is accepted. If I lived in a Republican state, I might not have the same opportunities.

This book is important because it is trying to bridge the gap between this disassociation that is occurring, especially to multi-cultured family and second generation citizens who aren't sure if it's important to be asking these questions because we are taught that there is a new, more accepting world. On one hand, that is true. The majority of people are more accepting. But as Reni mentioned, the people with power, aren't. That's the scary part. That's why the conversation still needs to happen.

[Niamh]

I think this book is important because the topic of race in Britain is often very taboo. British people, especially white people like myself, often believe that we are morally superior and more accepting when it comes to countries like America on the issue of race, therefore making us blind to recognising and tackling the everyday racism we are complicit in. I would like to expand my perspective of racism in Britain by reading an insight from someone who experiences it everyday day, gaining an insight into what Eddo-Lodge categorises as the ‘structural racism’ that pervades British society.

It is often easy to feel enlightened as a left wing person; even easier perhaps to believe you understand what it means to be disadvantaged in Britain when you are working class. However, I think the privileges I have been afforded due to my race have prohibited me from fully learning about discrimination in my country beyond the class struggle, ‘Why I’m No Longer Talking To White People About Race’ being so important as it confronts and informs those like myself who consider ourselves to be inclusive.

[Pamela]

I think everybody needs to be aware of racism regardless of our skin color, racism can be applied in many ways and it is time to have a wider conversation about this subject, not only about race or culture but many things that divide us as a society.

[Madelyn]

My name is Madelyn Land and I am a young American woman. I am also a white, cis woman. I am a feminist, and have been unafraid from a young age to use that label. As a feminist, I have attended the Women’s March for the past two years. At this year’s March I marched in a city that prided itself in it’s progressive nature, yet I noticed something that saddened me. In the speeches before we marched, there were about 20 speakers. Yet there was not one trans woman. This was a jarring absence that spoke volumes. While this book is about race, it points out a greater issue in progressive movements; our lack of intersectionality. Emma Watson has been accused of being a white feminist, and I discovered that I myself had fallen victim to this plague of feminism. Emma addressed this issue perfectly, by unabashedly promoting this book. It was a catalyst for hateful comments on an Instagram picture, yet that showed precisely why we need this book. I would love to add this to my library of feminist and progressive reads, I am currently working on “The Hate U Give”. I think it’s important for me as a white person to be exposed to this strong black women telling it like it is, in order to greater expand my own empathy. Thank you so much to Our Shared Shelf for this giveaway opportunity, and I hope you consider me for this book.

[Alex]

It's 2018 and the world is striding closer and closer to a revolutionary awakening. This books helps to keep the trend of that path. I lived in very diverse cities for most of my life and when I joined the Navy I moved to places where I felt heavily marginalized. I had never felt that way so greatly before in my life. I had never felt so alone and while the military does the best it can to accommodate you and make you feel included it wasn't the same as being in a space where I didn't need to seek that feeling out, because that feeling didn't exist. This book and books like it are so truly important to me because they enhance the powerful ideals we strive toward to better society and this opens the minds of those who don't even realize they are exemplifying racists thoughts and notions. Our society needs this and I didn't realize that until I started to live in less diverse areas of our nation.

[Selin]

This book is not just important, it's vital. It is so because all members of Our shared shelf have in common that we are feminists. Feminism is one part of the whole idea of fighting against discrimination. As a white woman, I'm being discriminated as a women, but not as a non-white woman. So if we want to tackle the issue of discrimination, we need to also truly understand racism and how racism is affecting its victims and be an active member of the changes that we can implement !

[Michele]

The solution to most problems in our world is education. We live in an age where communication, information, and history is available to more people in more ways than ever before. It is our responsibility to educate ourselves and to be the best we can be. This means constant vigilance, education, assessment, and adjustment. We owe it to ourselves, our society, our fellow humans, and the world at large to speak up, speak out, seek out other voices, and LISTEN.

[Ariel]

This is so important now because white people do not understand the struggles people of other races encounter. They think they do, but they don't. I do not look forward to having to explain race issues to my daughter, who is of mixed race. It breaks my heart when I hear hate speech from anyone, but especially from white people. White privilege is alive and well, unfortunately, but hopefully by the time my daughter is old enough to understand the world around her, all the races will be on better terms.