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samanthad4's review against another edition
5.0
This is so informative and everyone needs to read it. It was so good and I loved Ijeoma Oluo’s narrative. I loved reading her own personal stories and then seeing how that related to the particular lesson she was trying to make known. Truly a fantastic anti racist work that every single person could find some benefit from reading.
slugluv's review against another edition
3.0
so much of this book was a wonderful and accessible explanation of how racism operates, with helpful stories from the author’s life to illustrate. I was so disappointed when she talks about police reform at the end and suggests fighting for reformist reforms without having an abolitionist framework. I also had issue with some of her deployment of identity politics in a way that wasn’t critical of how people of color too can be co-opted by power and don’t always act in the people’s best interest (for example, my mayor in Santa Cruz, Justin Cummings). Still, I think many of her chapters are helpful at giving tips on how to talk about race and what to expect from others when you discuss it.
leighr16_'s review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
fast-paced
angelsrgorgeous's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.75
spenellispeaks's review against another edition
4.0
Very well done. Wanting to talk about race starts with the question of "where to begin?" Oluo starts there and continues through all of the questions that may wander through your mind on the topic including ways to encourage action in the equality of people of color. Change is far overdue.
This is a book I think deserves a re-read over and over as it has so many powerful points one wouldn't want to forget.
This is a book I think deserves a re-read over and over as it has so many powerful points one wouldn't want to forget.
bill_chamberlin's review against another edition
5.0
In the final chapter, the author writes, “I do this in the hopes that what I write and say, and what others write and say, will inform and inspire action.”
This is a fabulous work that does just that. It sounds as an alarm to even the most subtle (and devious) ways racism, privilege, and power are at work in daily lives. So often, it is not the media worthy stuff that is so dangerous, as the “mountains made out of mole hills on top of mole hills.”
I felt a sense of patient urging in much of the writing. I also got a hint of understanding of how exhausting “white” is to the rest of the world.
I certainly recognized myself in many of the scenarios and ashamed at the things I knew and didn’t know I was doing.
This seems like an excellent primer on self-reflection and awareness, at the very least, but offers great breakdowns and tips on what to do with all that new-found wisdom.
Get it. Read it. Go and live it.
This is a fabulous work that does just that. It sounds as an alarm to even the most subtle (and devious) ways racism, privilege, and power are at work in daily lives. So often, it is not the media worthy stuff that is so dangerous, as the “mountains made out of mole hills on top of mole hills.”
I felt a sense of patient urging in much of the writing. I also got a hint of understanding of how exhausting “white” is to the rest of the world.
I certainly recognized myself in many of the scenarios and ashamed at the things I knew and didn’t know I was doing.
This seems like an excellent primer on self-reflection and awareness, at the very least, but offers great breakdowns and tips on what to do with all that new-found wisdom.
Get it. Read it. Go and live it.
onetrooluff's review against another edition
4.0
This is a fantastic resource for non-POC to get (at least one person's) answers to tough questions about the topic of race. It bogged down a little in the middle for me which I think was more life- and 2020-related than any fault of the book itself. I'd definitely recommend this if you're looking to start (or continue) reading on this topic.
cheesentoast's review against another edition
5.0
Loved it. Made me angry, uncomfortable, and ultimately more knowledgeable. When Oluo warns the reader in the beginning that they might be uncomfortable within the contents of this book I was quite nervous but then chapter 15 hit and gosh darn she is spot on in a great way! Stay with it, I was very uncomfortable but ultimately I am so glad to have found this book. I recommend it to everyone as it is a great academic source and a great resource that will help you look within to recognize your own racism as well as the systemic racism we live in everyday but blindly ignore.