With a long layover in Dubai, i strolled to a near by book store in the duty free and i couldn’t resist the catchy title. If there was a time to use the adage….”Don’t judge a book by its cover” ..this was one of those times.
Reni Eddo-Lodge is not looking for political correctness, unapologetically black and female writer and journalist born in Britain boldly takes on the daunting task of being both a mouthpiece and a bridge.
Her writing pushes the boundaries of the racial discourse, it is sharp and thought-provoking, personal yet inclusive and every sentence and chapter is intended to scratch every itch and meant to start an open conversation about the tabooed subject of racism.
She explores whiteness as a political ideology, the school of thought that favors whiteness at the expense of those who aren’t rather than every individual white person.
Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race coming out in 2017, is a book that was long overdue. The examples are very easy to relate to with a clear distinction of racism and prejudice.
It examines the parallel universe of being born a black/person of color or white and every page is an honest invitation to the reader to experience the difference in realities, that is intricately linked to how the reader’s life eventually turns out, known or unbeknownst to them.
Racism is more than a one-off incident. It is about the world you live in, and the way you experience your environment.
With a focus on structural racism in Britain, an exchange with one of her white colleagues sets her off on a journey digging into Britain’s racial past.
Every chapter is meant to shine a light on how racism has survived and is still alive and well. With chapters on:
What is white privilege? Fear of a black planet: the manufactured link between fear and blackness, the illusion of feminism: that continue to feed racism, inextricable link of race and class.
She tables various personal anecdotes of her own struggles with racism which all dovetails to reaffirm that very, very little has changed in Britain and rest of world.
The simplest and yet the most eye-opening book you will ever read in recent history on the subject of racial injustice, with action points on what each one of us can do. It will continue to remain relevant and a reference for discussions years to come.
It should be a basic required reading on the subject of racism! Fantastic read :))
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