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jmabbondanza's review
fast-paced
5.0
Really useful for people who are trying to be inclusive and get identity conversations right!
mad_about_books's review
4.0
Let me begin my review with the same honesty the authors did in their introduction to SAY THE RIGHT THING. I am a CIS white woman who is 75 years old. In some ways, I think I might be part of their target audience. Am I an ally to marginalized groups? I like to think I am. At the same time, I find myself not understanding the granularity of what allyship entails.
Reviewing SAY THE RIGHT THING: How to Talk about Identity, Diversity, and Justice is a challenge in and of itself. Some of the things I want to say about this book could violate the basic tenets being presented. Why? Because I am human, and I am fallible. SAY THE RIGHT THING is, however, a model for teaching anyone and everyone that sensitivities exist and awareness of them is important. Kudos for acknowledgment that even the most thoughtful among us can and will make mistakes when we speak.
My sole criticism of the book stems from the granular nature of the premise. I found myself wondering if children are being taught both sides of this coin. Are some adults teaching intolerance of the 'other' while others are promoting tolerance. Imagine this on a bell curve with extreme tolerance is one end and extreme intolerance the other. I see the high point of the bell being filled with confusion and chaos. Some will use this book to gain insight while others will use it to find gotchas.
This old dog has been learning new tricks daily and will continue to do so until the end. It's a good day when I learn something new, and I did learn some things new in SAY THE RIGHT THING.
Reviewing SAY THE RIGHT THING: How to Talk about Identity, Diversity, and Justice is a challenge in and of itself. Some of the things I want to say about this book could violate the basic tenets being presented. Why? Because I am human, and I am fallible. SAY THE RIGHT THING is, however, a model for teaching anyone and everyone that sensitivities exist and awareness of them is important. Kudos for acknowledgment that even the most thoughtful among us can and will make mistakes when we speak.
My sole criticism of the book stems from the granular nature of the premise. I found myself wondering if children are being taught both sides of this coin. Are some adults teaching intolerance of the 'other' while others are promoting tolerance. Imagine this on a bell curve with extreme tolerance is one end and extreme intolerance the other. I see the high point of the bell being filled with confusion and chaos. Some will use this book to gain insight while others will use it to find gotchas.
This old dog has been learning new tricks daily and will continue to do so until the end. It's a good day when I learn something new, and I did learn some things new in SAY THE RIGHT THING.