Reviews

So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo

srjennings's review against another edition

challenging hopeful informative reflective medium-paced

4.5

I wasn't sure what to expect from this book and was impressed with what I found.  The author goes through hot topic issues related to racism, lifts up common responses or (mis) understandings, and addresses those head on.She challenges readers to confront how they have thought about these things.  Additionally she provides ways the reader can address these things in conversation with others. It is easily accessible and written for a wide audience without any prior education on racial issues.  It is targeted primarily to whites, but would also be a helpful book for people of color to know how they can respond to racism and to examine how they may perpetuate racism against racial/ ethnic groups they do not belong to.  

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Racial slurs, Police brutality, and Cultural appropriation

missyjohnson's review against another edition

3.0

So much to think about with this book. Confronting my own privilege and contribution to continued suppression of others even without realization makes me sad. Racism is insidious and this book shows so many ways that it continues without it being easily seen or confronted. Microaggression is just one of many things that I will be more aware of. I also found it interesting how telling someone to calm down, don’t be so loud or angry completely disregards how another person feels. I am guilty but I have also had it done to me and never understood why I needed to “be polite” when emotional about something just to help make those around me more comfortable.

vibingandy's review against another edition

challenging hopeful informative medium-paced

4.25

afroditi's review against another edition

5.0

Loved, loved, loved it!

What an interesting collection of essays!!! It goes over race, policy brutality, Cultural appropriation and so many other things over the reality of life for people of colour.
Also the part about the privilege you are unaware of was so eye-opening.

A must read!

I listened to it on audiobook also, which was wonderful. Totally recommended!

omi3's review against another edition

5.0

Informative, stimulating, healing!!!!
I want to recite every argument for future uses

skylercauldron's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative reflective fast-paced

5.0

storeytale's review against another edition

4.0

 Thought-provoking, moving and important discussion on racial injustice.

mjhj888's review against another edition

I didn't like being fussed at the whole time. I felt that this book was more critical than helpful at exploring issues with race. 

staplerscissors's review against another edition

4.0

Yeah!

ingread27's review against another edition

5.0

You don’t need to be an activist to read this book. Maybe you are just an ally. Maybe you’re just a human who cares about all other humans. Whatever your situation, you will find that Ijeoma Oluo has matter-of-factly laid out all of the possible responses and arguments that people give to explain away racism or even just racist words or actions. We live in a racist society, of that there can be no doubt even in 2019. It’s a systemic issue, and this book was super enlightening for me to understand at least a little bit what I could never understand due to the color of my own skin. So if you don’t think we still live in a racist society, I recommend you read or listen to this book from beginning to end and open your mind to see it from another perspective. Everyone will benefit once you do, no matter who you are, because understanding each other in this crazy world is the most important thing of all.