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anniereads221's review against another edition
informative
tense
5.0
It made me uncomfortable. But the more i learn the better ally i can be. This is just so important and puts it in a way that easy and simple to understand.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Police brutality, Hate crime, Child death, Classism, Racial slurs, Bullying, Transphobia, Sexual assault, Homophobia, Racism, Ableism, Sexism, and Misogyny
skudiklier's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
I'm a white person, so my opinions on books about racism don't really matter, and speaking as if they do feels weird. However, if my (more detailed) positive review of this book can get anyone to read it, I think that's worth maybe coming across poorly to others who think I should just say it's good and move on. Happy to hear others' opinions on this though if anyone finds anything I say in this review off-putting!
So, that said: I feel like a lot of books on race/racism and related topics (policing, the criminal punishment system, racial justice) often lean towards either A) being too broad and not challenging enough, so that (white) people can feel like they understand without ever being made to feel uncomfortable, or B) starting from a place of understanding farther along in the process so that they maybe end up preaching to the choir a bit, because very few people will fully read them who weren't already in agreement. There are benefits to this and I'm not saying books in that second category aren't necessary and useful--they very much are. But still, I wouldn't recommend them to my older family members, for instance, or to people who want to understand but just don't get it yet.
This book, in my (again, definitely white) opinion, strikes a really good balance between those two sides. It very clearly and unapologetically lays out hard truths and things that might make readers uncomfortable, especially white readers who haven't had to think much about their own racism or complicity in white supremacy. However, it also argues so well a lot of the common points people make. Like, there are some people close to me who I've had conversations with about race where I've ended up frustrated because I couldn't get them to understand what I was trying to say. And this book, again and again, explained things in a way I feel like those people would actually get. I want every white person I've tried to discuss race with (and came away frustrated) to read this book. It's obviously not going to fix everything, but it might get them to a similar page where we can then start to talk about more actions and solutions, rather than getting bogged down in things like why white people can't say the N word or why focusing on addressing class on its own won't solve racism.
tl;dr, So You Want to Talk About Race is full of good, clear, solid explanations for people who are learning this for the first time, or may feel defensive or disinclined to believe basic truths about race and racism.
There are also lots of examples of actionable ways to use privilege for good, help make conversations about race easier, etc. This book is useful for people at many stages of knowledge and experience with racial issues and theories, and I'd recommend it to anyone interested, but especially white people.
So, that said: I feel like a lot of books on race/racism and related topics (policing, the criminal punishment system, racial justice) often lean towards either A) being too broad and not challenging enough, so that (white) people can feel like they understand without ever being made to feel uncomfortable, or B) starting from a place of understanding farther along in the process so that they maybe end up preaching to the choir a bit, because very few people will fully read them who weren't already in agreement. There are benefits to this and I'm not saying books in that second category aren't necessary and useful--they very much are. But still, I wouldn't recommend them to my older family members, for instance, or to people who want to understand but just don't get it yet.
This book, in my (again, definitely white) opinion, strikes a really good balance between those two sides. It very clearly and unapologetically lays out hard truths and things that might make readers uncomfortable, especially white readers who haven't had to think much about their own racism or complicity in white supremacy. However, it also argues so well a lot of the common points people make. Like, there are some people close to me who I've had conversations with about race where I've ended up frustrated because I couldn't get them to understand what I was trying to say. And this book, again and again, explained things in a way I feel like those people would actually get. I want every white person I've tried to discuss race with (and came away frustrated) to read this book. It's obviously not going to fix everything, but it might get them to a similar page where we can then start to talk about more actions and solutions, rather than getting bogged down in things like why white people can't say the N word or why focusing on addressing class on its own won't solve racism.
tl;dr, So You Want to Talk About Race is full of good, clear, solid explanations for people who are learning this for the first time, or may feel defensive or disinclined to believe basic truths about race and racism.
There are also lots of examples of actionable ways to use privilege for good, help make conversations about race easier, etc. This book is useful for people at many stages of knowledge and experience with racial issues and theories, and I'd recommend it to anyone interested, but especially white people.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Xenophobia, Police brutality, and Racism
Moderate: Classism, Murder, Toxic relationship, Ableism, Bullying, Hate crime, Islamophobia, Misogyny, and Slavery
Minor: Homophobia, Transphobia, and War
mengzhenreads's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
An absolutely essential read for ANYONE interested in justice and dismantling systemic injustice against people of color. Super informative and accessible and does a good job of covering a variety of topics within the fight against racism and racial inequality and discrimination. This is a great starting point for anyone who wants to learn more about this and wants to find more ways to help.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Police brutality, and Racial slurs
Moderate: Cultural appropriation and Bullying
thedisabledreader's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism
Minor: Gun violence, Misogyny, Cultural appropriation, Hate crime, Police brutality, Xenophobia, Classism, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Murder, and Sexual harassment
offbrandclubsoda's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Xenophobia, Racism, Violence, and Police brutality
Moderate: Racial slurs
Minor: Classism and Cultural appropriation
jcstokes95's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
tense
fast-paced
3.25
Maybe a controversial theory, but I believe you can immediately tell if a book is about race if people either 5-star it or write bonkers 1-star reviews. In a way, I think my theory proves out what Oluo is saying in this book. People want to fucking talk, but they do very little. But, despite this, I'm writing a review, so here's my talk for the day.
I found this to be an excellent primer on issues of race in America. If you are still at the stage where you don't understand why touching someone's hair is...fucking weird. Then this book is probably a good starting point, in fact, even if you are further than that, it probably will do you some good. Oluo has an incredible talent for conversational writing and relatable examples. Her story about her Black networking/social 0rg in Seattle was an excellent example and shows she can walk the walk in her own activism. I think this section on intersectionality is one of the best I've ever read; the way it maps race and class struggle WITHIN a movement is a genius way to break down the concept. And it calls activists to do better when they can.
The trade-off of being a great primer here is that there are a few points I feel lack nuance. It can feel more like an overview than a journalistic endeavor, and for what it's worth, I don't think it's meant to be. But, there are times I think she doesn't quite paint a full picture of the school system and I found her chiding of Bush for being upset about being called a racist a little...weird. She seems to push for so much empathy in the book; that's it's a little odd to not have her understand why that might be upsetting (I'm not really talking about White people going psycho mode, I mean, people who are sad about it). I don't really think there is a way for me to properly convey all my thoughts on why I find this so weird, but if you know me in person, feel free to hit me up to discuss. I think this section mainly teaches me (here's my second controversial take) that the difficulty of imagining the other race's lived experience can cut both ways. However, let me make it clear, it's, like, way more fucking important to deal with the lack of empathy in White's that ends up with Black people being killed.
I also have a lot of respect for the final section, which calls people to specific action. I think for many, activism is overwhelming, and this part creates a starting point. All in all, I expect to feel uncomfortable when I read books about race; that's the consequence of having privilege. I also expect to have a few things that are challenging that I still disagree with in the end. But, I think this book can start a lot of important discussions, and hopefully important actions.
I found this to be an excellent primer on issues of race in America. If you are still at the stage where you don't understand why touching someone's hair is...fucking weird. Then this book is probably a good starting point, in fact, even if you are further than that, it probably will do you some good. Oluo has an incredible talent for conversational writing and relatable examples. Her story about her Black networking/social 0rg in Seattle was an excellent example and shows she can walk the walk in her own activism. I think this section on intersectionality is one of the best I've ever read; the way it maps race and class struggle WITHIN a movement is a genius way to break down the concept. And it calls activists to do better when they can.
The trade-off of being a great primer here is that there are a few points I feel lack nuance. It can feel more like an overview than a journalistic endeavor, and for what it's worth, I don't think it's meant to be. But, there are times I think she doesn't quite paint a full picture of the school system and I found her chiding of Bush for being upset about being called a racist a little...weird. She seems to push for so much empathy in the book; that's it's a little odd to not have her understand why that might be upsetting (I'm not really talking about White people going psycho mode, I mean, people who are sad about it). I don't really think there is a way for me to properly convey all my thoughts on why I find this so weird, but if you know me in person, feel free to hit me up to discuss. I think this section mainly teaches me (here's my second controversial take) that the difficulty of imagining the other race's lived experience can cut both ways. However, let me make it clear, it's, like, way more fucking important to deal with the lack of empathy in White's that ends up with Black people being killed.
I also have a lot of respect for the final section, which calls people to specific action. I think for many, activism is overwhelming, and this part creates a starting point. All in all, I expect to feel uncomfortable when I read books about race; that's the consequence of having privilege. I also expect to have a few things that are challenging that I still disagree with in the end. But, I think this book can start a lot of important discussions, and hopefully important actions.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
Moderate: Police brutality
erikabee's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
This book hits the exact right point of being both incredibly informative, while also being accessible and practical. The content is such that I will keep this book and refer back to it throughout my life. Everyone should read this!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Classism, Murder, Toxic friendship, Ableism, Violence, Xenophobia, Bullying, Cultural appropriation, Death, Gun violence, Mental illness, Police brutality, Racial slurs, and Racism
jasminrain's review
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
I don't know if reading about racial injustice is something that you can enjoy doing, but this book was such a good reading experience.
While it doesn't necessarily give that much new information to people that are familiar with the topic, I really really loved how the book was structured. Each chapter starts with the author's personal experiences on the given topic and moves then to discuss the structural basis of the problem and finally how to discuss about it. As someone who really struggles with confrontating people (about any topic), I found that to be really useful! The book is also very accessible and all the concepts, terms and phenomena are explained really well so I'd definitely recommend it for those who are new to the topic.
While it doesn't necessarily give that much new information to people that are familiar with the topic, I really really loved how the book was structured. Each chapter starts with the author's personal experiences on the given topic and moves then to discuss the structural basis of the problem and finally how to discuss about it. As someone who really struggles with confrontating people (about any topic), I found that to be really useful! The book is also very accessible and all the concepts, terms and phenomena are explained really well so I'd definitely recommend it for those who are new to the topic.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime, Sexism, Slavery, Classism, Cultural appropriation, Emotional abuse, Police brutality, Racial slurs, Murder, and Racism
Moderate: Religious bigotry, Ableism, and Violence
Minor: Sexual harassment
aandromeda's review against another edition
informative
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
Moderate: Death, Hate crime, Police brutality, and Racial slurs
jojo_'s review against another edition
informative
fast-paced
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Racial slurs, and Racism
Moderate: Cultural appropriation, Gun violence, and Police brutality
Minor: Cursing, Domestic abuse, and Fatphobia