• Author: Reni Eddo-Lodge
• Series: Standalone
• No. of pages: 288
• Dates read: 31.05.20 – 05.06.20
• Star Rating: 5 stars and Favourite

What is this book about: In February 2014, Reni Eddo-Lodge wrote about her frustration with the way discussions of race and racism in Britain were constantly being led by those who weren’t affected by it. She posted the piece on her blog, and gave it the title: ‘Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People about Race’. Her powerful, passionate words hit a nerve. The post went viral, and comments flooded in from others desperate to speak up about their own, similar experiences. Galvanised by this response, she decided to dig 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. Exploring issues from eradicated black history to the political purpose of white dominance, whitewashed feminism to the inextricable link between class and race, Reni Eddo-Lodge offers a new framework for how to see, acknowledge and counter racism.

So, probably like many other people I am making sure I educate myself on how I am complicit in systemic racism and truly learning about racism in my country on a more indepth level. I wasn’t sure if I was going to post about this book on my blog as this is not a book you review. Instead, this post is about my general thoughts on the book rather than seeking to critique and analyse.

I mean there isn’t anything to critique. I loved this book.

This is a book that I feel must be a compulsory read for students in the UK!

This book was a great educational resource. I found out so much more about my country’s history than I have been taught. In my ignorance I didn’t know much about the people of colour who served in the first and second world war. Not that they were promised freedom from colonization if they help fight in the war and were then denied those freedoms!

I learnt more about systemic and structural racism which is something I needed to know more about. I learnt more about modern events of racism and cases I had no idea existed. 1. At times I was too young to remember or 2. I just wasn’t taught or told about it. This book was a sure fire sign that more education needs to happen in the UK regarding systemic racism.

I didn’t know that we were still paying slave owners money as compensation for abolishing slavery! Like who does that money even go to!

What this book also did was put into words that I was trying to find or solidifying something I knew to be true myself. I felt this specifically on the chapters about white privilege and feminism.

Through this book I found myself finding the answers to points I was trying to defend when I ever ended up in a conversation with family members or strangers.

This was also just a really easy read, the words just flew off the page and I was whole-heartedly engaged. I feel like I am one big step closer to becoming the best ally I can be, thanks to this book. I highly recommend it if you are from the UK!