Book Review: Why I'm No Longer Talking to White People About Race by Reni Eddo-Lodge

Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race is a must-read if you are of the opinion that racism is not as much of an issue in the UK as it is in America and further afield. Because it is. The British just prefer to sweep it away under the rug, pretending it doesn’t exist, avoiding conversations about it.

“If you are disgusted by what you see, and if you feel the fire coursing through your veins, then it's up to you. You don't have to be the leader of a global movement or a household name. It can be as small scale as chipping away at the warped power relations in your workplace. It can be passing on knowledge and skills to those who wouldn't access them otherwise. It can be creative. It can be informal. It can be your job. It doesn't matter what it is, as long as you're doing something.”

In this book, Eddo-Lodge covers a range of topics, beginning with the history of Black people in the UK, before moving onto systemic racism and white privilege, followed by discussions on feminism and the links between race and class. Given the scope of topics covered and the fact it’s just over 200 pages long, it’s a great book for beginners who are looking for a starting point to learn more about racism in the UK.

Make no mistake, this book is painful and uncomfortable to read at times. But it is very necessary. The chapter I found the most eye-opening was the one discussing feminism and the reminder that feminism is not just about equality between men and women, but it is about liberating “all people who have been economically, socially and culturally marginalised by an ideological system that has been designed for them to fail.”

If I’m honest, I found this review difficult to write. I feel that I’ve only really started my journey into antiracism and I have so much to learn, so I don’t want to say the wrong thing or interpret something incorrectly. But I am committed to learn more and do more and be a better ally. This is only the beginning! 4 stars.

Johann