Book Review - Why I’m no longer talking to white people about race - Reni Eddo-Lodge

‘Why I’m no longer talking to white people about race’ by Reni Eddo-Lodge has been in my TBR pile for a while, and I’m glad I’ve eventually got around to it. I’m not sure if I was subconsciously avoiding the book, waiting for a better time to read it. And of course, there is no ‘right’ time to read this book. It is always relevant.

The author stresses that feeling guilty is not the objective here, rather to be aware of white privilege, the structures in society that reinforce racism, to educate yourself and most importantly – talk about it. The title here is deliberately provocative - the author is tired of white people not wanting to talk about it, or reframing the debate.

This is a fierce book, written cogently and without a word wasted. The author examines racism throughout British society, and even interviews Nick Griffin of the BNP. There are also some disturbing statistics in relation to educational attainment amongst black students and the one that struck me was the fact that black children wait an extra year to be adopted than their white counterparts.

Did it make me uncomfortable at times? Yes? Good. Did it open my eyes to structural racism? Absolutely. The section on feminism and the history of slavery in Britain was particularly eye opening. The links between race and class are also inextricably linked.

To stay silent is no longer an option, and the subject of racism needs to be brought out and discussed in the open. I’ll admit that it tool me some time to finish this book as some of the sections weren’t that easy to read quickly, and I found myself taking them slowly. An important, vital book that challenged me, and I’m glad to have read it.

Book review - Why I’m no longer talking to white people about race - Reni Eddo-Lodge

First published on June 1, 2017 by Bloomsbury Circus

249 Pages