Why I'm No Longer Talking to White People About Race

By: Reni Eddo-Lodge

Narrated by: Reni Eddo-Lodge

"I couldn't have a conversation with white folks about the details of a problem if they didn't want to recognise that the problem exists. Worse still was the white person who might be willing to entertain the possibility of said racism but still thinks we enter this conversation as equals. We didn't then, and we don't now."

In February 2014, Reni Eddo-Lodge posted an impassioned argument on her blog about her deep-seated frustration with the way discussions of race and racism in Britain were constantly being shut down by those who weren't affected by it. She gave the post the title 'Why I'm No Longer Talking to White People About Race'. Her sharp, fiercely intelligent words hit a nerve, and the post went viral, spawning a huge number of comments from people desperate to speak up about their own similar experiences.

Galvanised by this response, Eddo-Lodge decided to dive into the source of these feelings, this clear hunger for an open discussion. The result is a searing, illuminating, absolutely necessary exploration of what it is to be a person of colour in Britain today, covering issues from eradicated black history to white privilege, the fallacy of 'meritocracy' to whitewashing feminism, and the inextricable link between class and race. Full of passionate, personal and keenly felt argument, Why I'm No Longer Talking to White People About Race is a wake-up call to a nation in denial about the structural and institutional racism occurring in our homes.

©2017 Bloomsbury (P)2017 Audible, Ltd

Brittish, American or Any Nationality: Must Read

As a "white" reader, I so much appreciate this book written and narrated by Reni Eddo-Lodge. I think that the author's voice in the narration is essential. Blinded by privilege, this book book has helped me know more about what to do, where to look, as I grow myself in being anti-racist & what that really means. Thank you, Ms. Eddo-Lodge, for writing this book.

Powerful

This book is very insightful. For sure it change the way I think. Thank you Reni ❤️

I agree, great place to start

The narrator only enhances the ability to stay connected to the message chapter after chapter. I will not lie, I experienced a couple of twitches here and there to which I told myself "Nope, shake off that twitch, listen to the message." The end of chapter 12 put the breaks on for me, probably until tomorrow, but I would absorb no more, after that, tonight. This book was immensely helpful for me to understand blocks of life when I questioned things to myself, which made me part of the problem. Cookie cutter review's are not who I am or what I look for in a review, in the end, this listen was not time wasted.

Listened in one sitting...so good!!!!

This book is such an amazing perspective on race that you almost never hear. Highest possible recommendation!

Highly Recommended

An excellent and insightful book. One that not only shines a much needed light on the topic of racism, but also offers thoughts on how to be anti racist. Thoughtful and thought provoking.

Great Read!

Great narration. I can really feel the author's passion and empathize with the story. It's a very British standpoint, and I seriously wish there was an American equivalent.

A Historical Account if Racism in Britain

She’s not trying to appease white readers and challenges their comfort zones. The title of the book intrigues you but she ends it in a way that you didn’t expect. I loved the historical accounts of racism in Britain that she shared as it was very new information to me and reminded me of the broader problem outside of the US.

Loved it!

I absolutely loved this book! It's exactly what we need to hear right now.

Excellent and challenging

This work provides a much needed perspective on combating racism wherever it is found. As a white woman, I find the discussion appropriately challenging to open my eyes further to the nuances of systemic racism, its history, and how I can help work to dismantle it. I highly recommend this book to anyone wanting to learn more and to do more.

I am white and I loved it

Extremely eye opening. Every person can benefit from this book. Thank you Renni for doing the work and giving us your honest perspective on what the struggles actually look like. You make us question the way we see the world. As a white suburban girl in the U.S., only about 7% of my school is black, and there isn't a single black teacher. I truly don't know any black people on a deep level, and this book has prompted me to ask myself why that is.