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bobthebookerer's review against another edition
4.0
After the runaway success of 'White Fragility', it seemed almost inevitable that DiAngelo would release another book, and indeed, she shares her long history of experience of being a white person engaging with other white people about race, racism and anti-racist work.
She details many circumstances in which a white person can analyse their behaviour and make proper change, i.e. making sure that in being 'nice' (hence the title of the book), we are not accidentally using that as an excuse for doing nothing, or enacting racial harm in another way- for example, not speaking up, or talking about how we are 'one of the good ones' and thereby excusing ourselves from any racism we may have enacted.
In many ways, this book looks at some harmful actions and behaviours that many people wield, consciously or not, and in those scenarios, this book is very helpful.
However, there are two linked problems that I had with the book that I couldn't quite shake whilst listening to it. And those are audience and purpose.
Although DiAngelo is (rightly) quick to both announce that she herself is not an expert in experiencing racism, but rather a very experienced facilitator (a strength that she shares effectively in many parts of the book), and quick to quote and cite Black writers and thinkers who have led her to the conclusions in the books, I found myself wondering why the book needed to exist when there are so many brilliant books by Black writers, who share experiences they themselves have experienced.
As a result, I got lost in the who the intended audience for this book would be, and therefore what its purpose would be.
For example, if the book is aimed at those who read 'White Fragility' and wanted to delve into next steps, this book feels like it might go in too high after that, or assumes knowledge of many other writers, whereas a book like Reni Eddo-Lodge's 'Why I'm No Longer Talking to White People About Race' or Ijeoma Oluo's 'So You Want To Talk About Race' might be a better point of entry.
If the book is aimed at those who are more experienced and are ready to be challenged, then I also question if 'Nice Racism' is the right book, or rather, the right book over the work of a Black writer or thinker.
This is not to say that people will only pick up one book on anti-racism- many people don't- but I think it has to be recognised that many people do, as evidenced by 'White Fragility' massively outselling many other books on race and racism last year.
I recognise I am saying this all as a white person, and, to follow some of the learnings from 'Nice Racism', not to position myself as having 'solved it' or showing that I am 'one of the good ones', but rather to question whether this book, and DiAngelo's platform, could have been better used as a co-authored book, uplifting and featuring voices directly affected by racism, and/or supporting in another way.
Again, this is not to say that the book is without merit- there was a lot in this book that made me deeply reflect, often with horror, on my own behaviours and actions, and DiAngelo is clearly very skilled and experienced as a facilitator, and therefore in seeing reactions before they arise. There is also a lot of value in white people owning the problem and talking to each other about it, as DiAngelo does with a presumed white audience for the book.
But I do wonder if this book relies too much on readers finishing this book, and immediately picking up books by Black authors, when the middleman could have just been cut out, and her platform could have just lifted up those authors themselves.
3.5 stars rounded up.
I received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
She details many circumstances in which a white person can analyse their behaviour and make proper change, i.e. making sure that in being 'nice' (hence the title of the book), we are not accidentally using that as an excuse for doing nothing, or enacting racial harm in another way- for example, not speaking up, or talking about how we are 'one of the good ones' and thereby excusing ourselves from any racism we may have enacted.
In many ways, this book looks at some harmful actions and behaviours that many people wield, consciously or not, and in those scenarios, this book is very helpful.
However, there are two linked problems that I had with the book that I couldn't quite shake whilst listening to it. And those are audience and purpose.
Although DiAngelo is (rightly) quick to both announce that she herself is not an expert in experiencing racism, but rather a very experienced facilitator (a strength that she shares effectively in many parts of the book), and quick to quote and cite Black writers and thinkers who have led her to the conclusions in the books, I found myself wondering why the book needed to exist when there are so many brilliant books by Black writers, who share experiences they themselves have experienced.
As a result, I got lost in the who the intended audience for this book would be, and therefore what its purpose would be.
For example, if the book is aimed at those who read 'White Fragility' and wanted to delve into next steps, this book feels like it might go in too high after that, or assumes knowledge of many other writers, whereas a book like Reni Eddo-Lodge's 'Why I'm No Longer Talking to White People About Race' or Ijeoma Oluo's 'So You Want To Talk About Race' might be a better point of entry.
If the book is aimed at those who are more experienced and are ready to be challenged, then I also question if 'Nice Racism' is the right book, or rather, the right book over the work of a Black writer or thinker.
This is not to say that people will only pick up one book on anti-racism- many people don't- but I think it has to be recognised that many people do, as evidenced by 'White Fragility' massively outselling many other books on race and racism last year.
I recognise I am saying this all as a white person, and, to follow some of the learnings from 'Nice Racism', not to position myself as having 'solved it' or showing that I am 'one of the good ones', but rather to question whether this book, and DiAngelo's platform, could have been better used as a co-authored book, uplifting and featuring voices directly affected by racism, and/or supporting in another way.
Again, this is not to say that the book is without merit- there was a lot in this book that made me deeply reflect, often with horror, on my own behaviours and actions, and DiAngelo is clearly very skilled and experienced as a facilitator, and therefore in seeing reactions before they arise. There is also a lot of value in white people owning the problem and talking to each other about it, as DiAngelo does with a presumed white audience for the book.
But I do wonder if this book relies too much on readers finishing this book, and immediately picking up books by Black authors, when the middleman could have just been cut out, and her platform could have just lifted up those authors themselves.
3.5 stars rounded up.
I received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
sugarlife's review against another edition
3.0
Decent into to issues but does not allow for much critical thinking.
bootman's review
5.0
I bought this book on launch day and binged it within 24 hours. Since reading her first book White Fragility and enjoying it, I wanted to better understand why she’s so polarizing. Again, Robin brings up some great observations, but I think I understand why she upsets so many people. There’s far too much to write in this brief review, but although Robin makes many valid points, the primary issue I see is that she puts white people in a lose-lose scenario where it’s impossible to not be racist. Regardless of if she believes that, I think that’s the wrong way to go about educating people because they feel hopeless and don’t even want to try. If I’m being honest, there’s not much different between this book and the last book aside from personal experiences she’s had since the previous book. She tries to focus more on the aspect of progressive white people being more problematic than they realize, but personally, I gathered that from the first book.
Is it worth your time? If you read her last book, maybe you’ll get something new from this one. But if you’re someone who is highly critical of Robin’s work, I personally don’t think you’re allowed to criticize it unless you read it cover to cover.
I like writing short book reviews with my overall thoughts, but if you’re interested in honest, nuanced review of the book, here’s the link: https://www.therewiredsoul.com/blog/robin-diangelo-nice-racism-review
Is it worth your time? If you read her last book, maybe you’ll get something new from this one. But if you’re someone who is highly critical of Robin’s work, I personally don’t think you’re allowed to criticize it unless you read it cover to cover.
I like writing short book reviews with my overall thoughts, but if you’re interested in honest, nuanced review of the book, here’s the link: https://www.therewiredsoul.com/blog/robin-diangelo-nice-racism-review
sakisreads's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
3.0
I really got a lot out of ‘White Fragility’ by Robin DiAngelo, so I was very excited for this one.
Unfortunately, it didn’t meet my expectations in terms of what I was looking for. It felt repetitive of the content in the previous book and I felt like I was going through the same things over and over. Furthermore, I am aware that even though DiAngelo says herself that we must remember to invest in BIPOC’s work and learn from them (if they have space for us), we are taking from her (a white woman).
I’m giving this a 3 out of 5 stars. Thank you ✨
Unfortunately, it didn’t meet my expectations in terms of what I was looking for. It felt repetitive of the content in the previous book and I felt like I was going through the same things over and over. Furthermore, I am aware that even though DiAngelo says herself that we must remember to invest in BIPOC’s work and learn from them (if they have space for us), we are taking from her (a white woman).
I’m giving this a 3 out of 5 stars. Thank you ✨
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism and Racism
avoidthenoid's review
5.0
A little more autobiographical and felt as if its intention was to out woke White Fragility. Still very good and a necessary read
EDIT - upped my review to 5 stars because I read some of the BS reviews before. I think a lot of people are missing the point here.
EDIT - upped my review to 5 stars because I read some of the BS reviews before. I think a lot of people are missing the point here.
benrogerswpg's review
3.0
It was a good read.
Had some good points.
Didn't find it groundbreaking, but it reiterated some good knowledge.
3.0/5
Had some good points.
Didn't find it groundbreaking, but it reiterated some good knowledge.
3.0/5
trashthatmatters's review against another edition
4.0
It was hard not to envision Robin is not also cocooned in her fantasy of being a Nice Progressive. I mean she didn't do what she keeps saying she should in the book, ask Black people what she should do first.
I can't imagine who she thinks her audience for this book would be, because every white person would have been defensive by her patronizing and holier than thou tone way before the end.
I did find it hugely informative, even though I also found myself sick of her by the end, which makes me wonder about my own blind spots.
4 stars for the content, in a "know thy enemy" kind of way
I can't imagine who she thinks her audience for this book would be, because every white person would have been defensive by her patronizing and holier than thou tone way before the end.
I did find it hugely informative, even though I also found myself sick of her by the end, which makes me wonder about my own blind spots.
4 stars for the content, in a "know thy enemy" kind of way
agmaynard's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
Fellow white people: here's another opportunity to dive in, work on ourselves, find solutions, and stop spreading pain around. End of the book contains a useful study guide with questions for reflection and/or discussion for every chapter.