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So You Want to Talk About Race Hardcover – January 16, 2018
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Protests against racial injustice and white supremacy have galvanized millions around the world. The stakes for transformative conversations about race could not be higher. Still, the task ahead seems daunting, and it’s hard to know where to start. How do you tell your boss her jokes are racist? Why did your sister-in-law hang up on you when you had questions about police reform? How do you explain white privilege to your white, privileged friend?
In So You Want to Talk About Race, Ijeoma Oluo guides readers of all races through subjects ranging from police brutality and cultural appropriation to the model minority myth in an attempt to make the seemingly impossible possible: honest conversations about race, and about how racism infects every aspect of American life.
"Simply put: Ijeoma Oluo is a necessary voice and intellectual for these times, and any time, truth be told." ―Phoebe Robinson, New York Times bestselling author of You Can't Touch My Hair
- Print length256 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherSeal Press
- Publication dateJanuary 16, 2018
- Dimensions6.38 x 1 x 9.38 inches
- ISBN-101580056776
- ISBN-13978-1580056779
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now
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From the Publisher
Editorial Reviews
Review
―Phoebe Robinson, New York Times-bestselling author of You Can't Touch My Hair
"Oluo is out to help put words to action, which at this day and age, might be exactly what we need."―Forbes
"Impassioned and unflinching"
―Vogue.com
"Fascinating, real, and necessary."―The Root
"Read it, then recommend it to everyone you know."―Harper's Bazaar (Named a Top 10 Book of the Year)
"I don't think I've ever seen a writer have such an instant, visceral, electric impact on readers. Ijeoma Oluo's intellectual clarity and moral sure-footedness make her the kind of unstoppable force that obliterates the very concept of immovable objects."―Lindy West, New York Times-bestselling author of Shrill
"A guidebook for those who want to confront racism and white supremacy in their everyday lives, but are unsure where to start."―Bitch
"Oluo offers us a reset, a starting point, a clear way forward."―dream hampton, writer, activist, filmmaker, and executive producer of Surviving R. Kelly
About the Author
Product details
- Publisher : Seal Press; First Edition (January 16, 2018)
- Language : English
- Hardcover : 256 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1580056776
- ISBN-13 : 978-1580056779
- Item Weight : 15.2 ounces
- Dimensions : 6.38 x 1 x 9.38 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #161,416 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #135 in Civil Rights & Liberties (Books)
- #457 in Discrimination & Racism
- #561 in African American Demographic Studies (Books)
- Customer Reviews:
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Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
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Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find the book insightful and valuable for white people in getting oriented in a sensitive area. They describe it as an excellent, powerful read that is worth their time and money. The writing style is clear and easy to understand, with relatable personal anecdotes and real-life examples. The book provides important perspective and changes their perspective on things. Customers appreciate the authenticity, transparency, and raw descriptions. The pacing is described as steady and well-paced.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers find the book insightful and valuable for white people. It provides them with practical advice on how to talk about race in America and systemic beliefs. They appreciate the chapter on intersectionality and other useful terms like model minority myth.
"...You need this book. It discusses so many racial justice topics and phrases clearly, authentically and with heart...." Read more
"So informative. This is one I really do think that everyone should read...." Read more
"...The book is very engaging easy reading. A very valuable book for white people in getting oriented in a sensitive area and being better..." Read more
"...It is also broken down well and provides summarized points for readers to focus on that will hopefully be remembered as they enter into these..." Read more
Customers find the book easy to read and engaging. They describe it as a comprehensive guide on racism against African Americans. The author breaks down experiences and explains their impact in an accessible way. Readers appreciate the conversational tone and find it entertaining at times.
"...The author is not the reader but the reader does a very good job making this book feel more like a conversation than a lecture." Read more
"...It was, however, a good read. It made me think. And for that I am grateful to the author...." Read more
"...The book is very engaging easy reading...." Read more
"Fairly comprehensive book on how to discuss racism against African Americans in the United States...." Read more
Customers find the book's writing style clear and easy to understand. They appreciate the author's straightforward explanation of racial justice topics in an accessible way that makes it relatable on a human level. The chapters are organized thoughtfully, covering a lot of information without being too dry or boring.
"...You need this book. It discusses so many racial justice topics and phrases clearly, authentically and with heart...." Read more
"...I really appreciate how the author breaks everything down, and I like how she tells you at the beginning of a chapter who it's geared for...." Read more
"...Her solutions are extremely doable. Piece by piece, one step at a time...." Read more
"...The chapters are laid out thoughtfully and cover a lot of info without being too dry or preachy...." Read more
Customers find the book relatable with personal anecdotes and advice on various topics. They appreciate the author's candid and transparent approach to institutional racism. The book is described as thoughtful, compassionate, and honest.
"...so many racial justice topics and phrases clearly, authentically and with heart. Punches don't appear to be pulled and I think that was necessary...." Read more
"...or people like you, and I think this is also good that way we can learn some empathy...." Read more
"...Oluo is candid and direct, often to the point of confrontation. But in a good way...." Read more
"...is filled with practical advice, example situations, and personal anecdotes from the author that really broadened my POV and better prepared me to..." Read more
Customers find the book provides a useful perspective and helps them understand a dynamic. They appreciate the thorough research, analysis, and personal stories. The book provides clear guidance on how to handle social situations with data-backed concepts and anecdotes.
"...It also gave some real clarity how to handle certain social situations with more grace...." Read more
"...situations, and personal anecdotes from the author that really broadened my POV and better prepared me to talk about race...." Read more
"...issues, how she includes painful personal stories, painstakingly shares statistics that prove systemic racism, and provides critique for the common..." Read more
"...which has been routinely proven to not only be false but based on bad research/numbers...." Read more
Customers appreciate the book's authenticity. They find the stories honest and real, with raw descriptions and personal examples. The author is described as excellent and without pretence.
"...It discusses so many racial justice topics and phrases clearly, authentically and with heart...." Read more
"...And I listened because you were clear and authentic. And I do thank you for that. A must read. Period." Read more
"...The book is both sensitive and truthful; how the author takes the time to explain these important and difficult issues, how she includes painful..." Read more
"...It is an easy read and very honest. The author's mother is white but she is black and it adds to the dynamics of the information...." Read more
Customers find the book engaging. They appreciate the author's personal approach and clear writing style. The book provides useful information and stories that encourage readers to keep listening.
"...She does encourage you to keep listening even if it may not necessarily be directed towards you or people like you, and I think this is also good..." Read more
"...play in creating equity for co-workers, teammates, and other people I interact with every day...." Read more
"...She has an incredibly accessible voice, putting me at ease and allowing me a safe place to explore my own shortcomings, and also to grow and better..." Read more
"...The author does a great job sharing her experiences in a way that helps the reader understand exactly the types of things that happen to non-white..." Read more
Customers have mixed views on the book's accessibility. Some find it straightforward and informative, challenging them to face their truths. Others feel the content is difficult and the book is not an easy read.
"...Oluo is candid and direct, often to the point of confrontation. But in a good way...." Read more
"...economic, linguistic, and more, and I’m not going to lie, it is daunting...." Read more
"...general, and SO YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT RACE specifically, is its accessibility; so often as a mixed person with one white parent and a parent who is..." Read more
"...She takes a super heavy topic, makes it accessible, and does so in a personable way which allows the reader to relate in unexpected ways...." Read more
Reviews with images
Worth every penny-very practically and neutrally explains themes in systemic racism
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on April 7, 2024So informative. This is one I really do think that everyone should read. I really appreciate how the author breaks everything down, and I like how she tells you at the beginning of a chapter who it's geared for. She does encourage you to keep listening even if it may not necessarily be directed towards you or people like you, and I think this is also good that way we can learn some empathy. What is really sad in today's society is that we have lost 100% of our empathy for our neighbors.
Do I think this book will take a raging racist and make them not racist? Of course not because I don't really think that's possible at all. But do I think that this could take somebody who is ignorant and flies off at the mouth and teach them how ignorant and bigoted their speech can be? Absolutely.
I really appreciate how the author does not let anyone feel sorry for themselves either. She reiterates over and over and over again that regardless of how you feel about things, what really matters is the opinion of the person of color who is being discriminated against. I hear all too often that a white person doesn't 'think they're being racist' and even I, as a white woman can see that that is just not how it works. We need to take the feelings and the learned experiences of our fellow humans seriously and stop minimizing everything because we've embarrassed ourselves.
My book club is reading this author's newest book Be A Revolution so I wanted to go back and revisit this one. I listened to it on audiobook this time around and I really enjoyed it that way as well. The author is not the reader but the reader does a very good job making this book feel more like a conversation than a lecture.
- Reviewed in the United States on November 23, 2024A must read for everyone.
A book that discusses a myriad of topics within race, racism, and social justice.
Read if you love...
- non-fiction
- unlearning biases and learning
- learning about social justice
This is another one that's been on my TBR for way tf too long (big shoutout to the basically three years where I didn't read non-fiction).
This is a must read for everyone.
I feel like there are so many eloquent reviews on Goodreads and I'm struggling to put into words why you should read this.
Oluo is candid and direct, often to the point of confrontation. But in a good way. A way that makes you take a deep breath and actually think about the topic, the question, what was said.
I inhaled the audio, but I really want to go back and highlight so much in my kindle copy because there is SO MUCH to learn about social injustice!
Content warnings: racism; racial slurs; police brutality; hate crimes; bullying; classism; cultural appropriation; misogyny; xenophobia; sexism; and more
- Reviewed in the United States on January 31, 2018Are you working on yourself to check your white privilege? Taking action to dismantle structural white privilege and white supremecy? Reading articles, websites and books? Trying to piece together the issues with the language around white supremacy? This book is for you. Trying to explain to your loved ones why Racial Justice is so important to you? You need this book. It discusses so many racial justice topics and phrases clearly, authentically and with heart. Punches don't appear to be pulled and I think that was necessary. I highly recommend this book. In fact, I hope you read it in your book club, buy one for your community Little Library, and make it the book you give for birthdays this year.
Chapters important to me were: "What is intersectionality and why do I need it?", "But what if I hate Al Sharpton?", "How can I talk about affirmative action?" and "What is cultural appropriation?"
Two chapters broke my heart: "Why can't I touch your hair?" and "Why are our students so angry?"
Two favorite lines: "Nothing lets you know you are going to die alone like when you try to find a seat in a school cafeteria..."
"To refuse to listen to someone's cries for justice and equality until the request comes in a language you feel is comfortable with is a way of asserting your dominence over them in a situation."
You may have seen blog posts about paying Black Women for their work - for taking time to educate us. This needed education is a Black Friday, Cyber Monday and Small Business Saturday bargain rolled into one at thrice the price!
- Reviewed in the United States on October 1, 2018This book is a great place to start in a journey toward understanding racism. I am speaking as white person who has been learning about racism for a few years now. I had some familiarity with the issues the book addresses but also found this book to be very educational. It illuminates many core issues such as microaggressions, the school-to-prison pipeline, addressing racism as a system and not just individual acts of hate, police brutality, the use of the “N” word, and more in a way that is accessible, moving, and clear. Oluo expertly balances personal stories with facts and statistics, and in doing so she paints a clear and detailed picture of the harm and scope of racism, all while giving advice throughout on how to address it.
This book was written for a wide range of people; for example, it has sections addressing white people in particular as well as sections written for Black people. The book is both sensitive and truthful; how the author takes the time to explain these important and difficult issues, how she includes painful personal stories, painstakingly shares statistics that prove systemic racism, and provides critique for the common missteps that white people make is truly an act of care. I hope many people will support Oluo’s labor by purchasing this book and sharing it widely.
Top reviews from other countries
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LUCIAReviewed in Mexico on July 2, 2023
5.0 out of 5 stars Muy interesante.
Para mi investigación.
- Katherine LonghiReviewed in the United Kingdom on November 25, 2024
5.0 out of 5 stars great book club book for white people
A group of 12 white women read this as part of our anti-racism book club. It’s packed full of practical actions and poignant stories that reinforce the learning. Highly recommended for all white people who want to do better and break the cycle of white supremacy.
-
GemmaReviewed in Spain on August 14, 2023
5.0 out of 5 stars FANTÁSTICO
Me está encantando! Lo recomendaría a cualquier persona!
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Amazon CustomerReviewed in Brazil on November 28, 2020
5.0 out of 5 stars Necessário...
Quer entender um pouco mais sobre a discussão sobre racismo? Esse é um livro para começar essa discussão e trazer a tona questão que talvez você não tenha consciência. Recomendo!
- VReviewed in Canada on January 23, 2019
5.0 out of 5 stars This book takes no prisoners and an absolute must-have
This book is meant to make the very broad, nuanced and very often difficult subject of race accessible to those who wish to discuss it and it does so very well. Ijeoma's prose is empathetic, engaging, easy to follow, laden with historical examples and contexts, and backed by credible data and sources. She wants to get you talking about it.
She also does not sugarcoat a thing.
For marginalised people, but ESPECIALLY black people, this may be a bit of a draining read in places. I highly recommend it, but Ijeoma lays extremely bare her own personal experiences, ones that resonated with me and might do the same for you in a way that may leave you raw, bitter, cynical, hurting, scared, frustrated, uncertain, livid, and a host of other things, not the least of which is Tired. She makes you feel. That might be more than you want to deal with at times, but, if nothing else, it reinforces that you are not alone. There is also plenty of levity and working optimism, so it is not all bad.
Many sections are addressed to white people, but, like she, I recommend it to everyone, especially if you're part of a marginalised group and know something doesn't sit well with you or if you come across something racially charged, but have no idea how to approach or articulate it or if you even should. It's a great help in that regard.
The title also does the book a bit of a disservice, because it discusses INTERSECTIONALITY, which is of paramount importance. Race intersecting with things like gender and sexual identity, mental health, ability, others, and their impacts. It's something of all-around guide to people of today, incredibly relevant and handy to have and handles the topic thoughtfully. Not only does she challenge white people, but black people, others, the system, and, actually, herself. She challenges us all to be better, more mindful, considerate and inclusive.
The tragedy of this book is that it needed to be written at all, but it's absolutely wonderful, worth your time, your money, and your consideration.
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