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  • Why I'm No Longer Talking to White People About Race

  • Written by: Reni Eddo-Lodge
  • Narrated by: Reni Eddo-Lodge
  • Length: 5 hrs and 53 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (279 ratings)

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Why I'm No Longer Talking to White People About Race cover art

Why I'm No Longer Talking to White People About Race

Written by: Reni Eddo-Lodge
Narrated by: Reni Eddo-Lodge
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Publisher's Summary

"I couldn't have a conversation with white folks about the details of a problem if they didn't want to recognise that the problem exists. Worse still was the white person who might be willing to entertain the possibility of said racism but still thinks we enter this conversation as equals. We didn't then, and we don't now."

In February 2014, Reni Eddo-Lodge posted an impassioned argument on her blog about her deep-seated frustration with the way discussions of race and racism in Britain were constantly being shut down by those who weren't affected by it. She gave the post the title 'Why I'm No Longer Talking to White People About Race'. Her sharp, fiercely intelligent words hit a nerve, and the post went viral, spawning a huge number of comments from people desperate to speak up about their own similar experiences.

Galvanised by this response, Eddo-Lodge decided to dive into the source of these feelings, this clear hunger for an open discussion. The result is a searing, illuminating, absolutely necessary exploration of what it is to be a person of colour in Britain today, covering issues from eradicated black history to white privilege, the fallacy of 'meritocracy' to whitewashing feminism, and the inextricable link between class and race. Full of passionate, personal and keenly felt argument, Why I'm No Longer Talking to White People About Race is a wake-up call to a nation in denial about the structural and institutional racism occurring in our homes.

©2017 Bloomsbury (P)2017 Audible, Ltd

What listeners say about Why I'm No Longer Talking to White People About Race

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Incredible

Such an incredible book. Reni reads her book beautifully. The order of the chapters is thoughtfully organized as to elicit the incredible importance and urgency of anti-racist work. Her discussions of British racism and politics were very informative, especially if you live outside of the country.

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thought provoking, clear, intelligent

So much here to challenge, inform, and inspire. well worth the read/listen. if you do hear or read this book and come away unchanged, you might not really have read it at all.

this is a clearly expressed and articulate examination and exposition of the racism that has formed and continues to form British society. Though from a British context, its no-nonsense, well researched and thoughtful deconstruction of systemic racism, history of race relations in the UK and beyond, white privilege, and racist structures and attitudes applies anywhere. it challenges the heater to learn and to act. Disturbing, Frank, and honest.

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New perspective

I've read a few books about race and anti racism, but most of them were written by Americans or Canadians, and therefore, spoke to that reality. Certainly, there is a lot of overlap, but it was interesting to have a British perspective and hear about a different history and context.

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  • AR
  • 2020-05-16

Required reading

Where ever you are in your anti-racism work as a white person, the author generously offers research and lived experience to help you on your journey. Highly recommended.

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1 person found this helpful

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Essential listening

While this book is initially about the history and experience of racism in Britain, the book is relevant for North America as well. As the author says, discussion of racism in Britain is often eclipsed by the racism in the United States. This book was so well presented in terms of the research and the concepts and I’ve noted down several quotes I wish to share with others. I especially appreciate chapter 7 as it relates to what’s going on in the world today with the global BLM movement. Essential reading.

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Informative and relatable

great synopsis of racism in England's history and how it comes out in so many facets including feminism, business, class... a welcome read.

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Important

This is an important book for everyone, especially white people to read. Learn about the systems that white people benefit from and start to dismantle them. Highly recommended.

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3 people found this helpful

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Should be required reading

The historical context grounds the nuances of the later discussion regarding how people of colour are routinely policed and manipulated, especially when it becomes political. It made more sense and was especially clear to me as a Canadian, where we have had a similar education to the UK, and thus have similar responses and biases.

Should be required reading, imo. Incredibly clear, concise. Probably the most helpful text I’ve read about the issue to date.

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Crucial for white people everywhere

Read. This. Book.

Eddo-Lodge has put together a comprehensive history and analysis of systemic racialization in the UK and its colonies, and we ought to take the time to listen to what she has to say. This world was built on the abuse, suffering and subjugation of people of colour, and the sooner we are able to internalize that and turn it into active engagement, the sooner we may see real equity. Without acknowledging these (hugely damaging, oppressive, terrible) systems, change is impossible. #Audible1

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Don't judge a book by its cover

Don't judge a book by its cover- or in this case its title.

Remi Eddo-Lodge covers a number of topics related to how systemic racism has thrived in England. Don't let it being based on her British nationality and experiences cause you to write it off if you're not from or living in the United Kingdom though. Many of the points and experiences are unfortunately very similar on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean as well - including mixed race issues, policing of black lives, housing, class, intersectional feminism and more.

The title is more of a way to draw people in than anything else. Remi has likely spoken to more white people since the blog post that she wrote in 2014 which inspired the book was published.

My favourite section was definitely "Chapter 5 - The Feminism Question" and acknowledging that the different intersections don't had a place in white feminist agendas.

Near the end of the book on p. 215 Remi answers the question of "what can white people do to help end racism" which I thought was very clear and helpful. Whether white people who say they are burdened by racial injustice actually do those things is another story. While reading that, one person who came to mind is the American Actor Matt McGorry (How to Get Away With Murder) who has shared many books he's reading on the racial injustice and also shares the marches and rally he attends in support of the black lives matter movement. It also made me think of the white people in my own circles who have remained silent on the injustices facing black and brown people of colour- myself included.

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5 people found this helpful