Scan barcode
hadidee's review against another edition
3.0
I grew up in England, and went to university in London in the early 80s. A lot of the events and situations described in this book took place during my teen and young adult years. It’s interesting to read about the events that angered - even enraged me - back then put in a wider historical context. It’s a long road to an equal and fair society, and I won’t live to see it, but I’m glad there are young people still working towards that goal.
Overall, a well written and quick read - a good historical summary especially of the more recent past. Got a bit unfocused towards the end.
Overall, a well written and quick read - a good historical summary especially of the more recent past. Got a bit unfocused towards the end.
hamspamdamere's review against another edition
4.0
I found this a difficult book to read; both in subject matter and style.
It’s not easy to admit that one is racist or to be less harsh, benefits from racism in your society, but that is what I think you must do if you are white and live comfortably in a society that is demonstrably structurally racist.
As I said not an easy book to read but deserves four stars because of the importance of the message it contains.
If you are white living in the UK, like me, then you owe it to yourself to read this book and force yourself to keep an open mind and try to help the change that is desperately needed.
It’s not easy to admit that one is racist or to be less harsh, benefits from racism in your society, but that is what I think you must do if you are white and live comfortably in a society that is demonstrably structurally racist.
As I said not an easy book to read but deserves four stars because of the importance of the message it contains.
If you are white living in the UK, like me, then you owe it to yourself to read this book and force yourself to keep an open mind and try to help the change that is desperately needed.
naenaebug's review against another edition
5.0
"It seems there is a belief among some white people that being accused of racism is far worse than actual racism."
This rings so true. White people are so concerned with not being accused of being racist they do everything in their power to avoid the conversation entirely.
I cannot recommend this book enough. As an American, it was educational (it was scratching the tip of the iceberg I'm sure) on racism in a British scope. I was reading along thinking "wow, familiar". It is disheartening on one side of the coin and simultaneously encouraging in the sense that there are movements outside of the US that are similar in broad strokes (not ignoring the unique histories attached to the racism in both respective areas). I think that can be common ground for people in a discussion and help continue propel the movements and conversations forward.
This rings so true. White people are so concerned with not being accused of being racist they do everything in their power to avoid the conversation entirely.
I cannot recommend this book enough. As an American, it was educational (it was scratching the tip of the iceberg I'm sure) on racism in a British scope. I was reading along thinking "wow, familiar". It is disheartening on one side of the coin and simultaneously encouraging in the sense that there are movements outside of the US that are similar in broad strokes (not ignoring the unique histories attached to the racism in both respective areas). I think that can be common ground for people in a discussion and help continue propel the movements and conversations forward.
hallois's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
fatfrog's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime, Racial slurs, Racism, Violence, Murder, Gaslighting, Colonisation, and Classism
Moderate: Sexual violence, Slavery, Police brutality, and Cultural appropriation
here_goes_books's review against another edition
4.0
I've often found that learning about feminism is a lot like getting glasses for the first time. Everything becomes so much more detailed! Nuances begin to pop out at you. You can't help but be stunned for a minute or two on all that you didn't understand before.
Remi Eddo-Lodge is a gosh darn brilliant optometrist and her book, "Why I'm No Longer Talking to White People about Race" is your new prescription.
Focusing on race relations in the United Kingdom, Eddo-Lodge takes readers on a historic and cultural tour of the island nation's torrid relationship with race. She examines the slave trade and after effects Britian's former empire which helps to explain current xenophobia and the Brexit. She points out current gentrification and the lip service from current leaders in power.
Again you spend a few minutes stunned by all that you never truly fully comprehended before you put these glasses on. Here's hoping that with your new vision you can help other see and begin asking questions (at least) on remaining racist institutions and structures.
Remi Eddo-Lodge is a gosh darn brilliant optometrist and her book, "Why I'm No Longer Talking to White People about Race" is your new prescription.
Focusing on race relations in the United Kingdom, Eddo-Lodge takes readers on a historic and cultural tour of the island nation's torrid relationship with race. She examines the slave trade and after effects Britian's former empire which helps to explain current xenophobia and the Brexit. She points out current gentrification and the lip service from current leaders in power.
Again you spend a few minutes stunned by all that you never truly fully comprehended before you put these glasses on. Here's hoping that with your new vision you can help other see and begin asking questions (at least) on remaining racist institutions and structures.
sarahbc93_'s review against another edition
4.0
I’ve had this book sat on my shelves for an embarrassingly long time, and it was literally only because I saw it in the 2 for 1 selection on audible and realised it was short enough to listen to during one of my shifts, that I thought I would finally get around to reading it.
And I have to say that I’m glad that I did.
The first chapter where it focuses on the history of Black people in Britain both during and after the period of the transatlantic slave trade, going right up to the modern day. While there were elements of this history that I already knew, there were a few things that I didn’t know and was quite surprised to learn. It is correct that the history of Black Britons is almost never mentioned or discussed in any way, shape or form in this country so we tend to imagine that Black people suddenly appeared here which, as is proven later in the book, tends to cause more upset and racial tensions.
When Black history is taught in Britain, it’s almost always in a glancing mention towards the American civil rights movement, as if that is the only Black history that matters. So it’s no surprise that there are so many uninformed people who have no idea what it means to be Black or a Person of colour in Britain.
I’ve seen so many comments about this book, raving about the title and the perceived tone of the contents, raging at bring told that your worldview is not the norm, is not the baseline for everyone else’s experiences. And I’ve seen so many people call this book and it’s author racist, purely because they don’t like having their own privileges pointed out to them, that all it does is just prove the point of the book.
If you’re not mature enough to have the conversation or do the work then sit back down. The world will change around you whether you like it or not.
And I have to say that I’m glad that I did.
The first chapter where it focuses on the history of Black people in Britain both during and after the period of the transatlantic slave trade, going right up to the modern day. While there were elements of this history that I already knew, there were a few things that I didn’t know and was quite surprised to learn. It is correct that the history of Black Britons is almost never mentioned or discussed in any way, shape or form in this country so we tend to imagine that Black people suddenly appeared here which, as is proven later in the book, tends to cause more upset and racial tensions.
When Black history is taught in Britain, it’s almost always in a glancing mention towards the American civil rights movement, as if that is the only Black history that matters. So it’s no surprise that there are so many uninformed people who have no idea what it means to be Black or a Person of colour in Britain.
I’ve seen so many comments about this book, raving about the title and the perceived tone of the contents, raging at bring told that your worldview is not the norm, is not the baseline for everyone else’s experiences. And I’ve seen so many people call this book and it’s author racist, purely because they don’t like having their own privileges pointed out to them, that all it does is just prove the point of the book.
If you’re not mature enough to have the conversation or do the work then sit back down. The world will change around you whether you like it or not.
catycliu's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.5
iulia619's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
5.0
A brilliant, informative book, covering racism, classism, feminism and other contemporary social issues a lot of people are facing today. Necessary read for everyone and impactful as an audio book.