Why I’m No Longer Talking To White People About Race (review)

I noticed this book in the media a lot, especially over the last year or so. At work, it has been catching my eye on the shelf, and I've heard nothing but positive things about the book. On a journey to educate myself I bought this novel ‘Why I’m No Longer Talking To White People About Race’ written by Reni Eddo-Lodge. I am not sure what I expected but I was just ready for my mind to opened and to learn new things. And become more aware of the world around me and even places closer to home. This book has done that and much more.

 Firstly, this book was educational, to say the least.  I’ve learned so much more about black history within the UK. I feel as though we’ve only been taught about Black History in other countries like the US but not what has been happening close to home. The first chapter explores this, going over events that have happened in the UK and discusses perhaps why we don't know as much as we should. Within the first few pages, my eyes had been opened. Before reading this book all I briefly knew about Black History was that Liverpool was known for the slave trade. From the book, I’ve learned that it is across the country that the slave trade took place. As well as many acts of violence and hate crimes have occurred even in recent years.  I guess until now I didn’t know the full extent of it.  The second chapter ‘The System’ really shocked me. The miss treatment of people just because of the colour of their skin, the injustices that families have endured and are still going through in today’s society is mind-boggling. Through this chapter, I learned about race cases that had occurred in and around the country. 

I feel ignorant, I never really understood what privileges come with being white. And this book addresses those privileges.  I hadn’t ever considered it, and I found that the book has definitely made me realise a lot of things. That as a society white people are treated better, and it’s completely unfair. I can see why this book has had such a great social impact. 

'Fear of the black planet' chapter was a preach of all chapters!! So many times I’ve witnessed arguments where people have used racism under the name of ‘freedom of speech’ it’s angering and just disgusting. I found this chapter the most interesting so far, it discusses situations that have occurred in the media such as the rumour of Idris Alba becoming the new bond and the seventh Star Wars film having two black heroes. I found these films revolutionary and just ‘about fucking time’! This chapter shows the reactions of white people and the fear they have when a protagonist isn’t white. For years the film industry (as well as other broadcast industries as well the book industry basically every industry ever)  have reflected the white person back onto the white audience, and now that is changing people are threatened by it. I think the part I really felt ‘You’re so right’ is where the author Reni Eddo-Lodge discusses the uproar of the casting of a black Hermione in The Cursed Child, she makes a point that people can’t see a character who is smart, driven and fucking amazing as being black but can believe in walking through walls. Like seriously?! This chapter was just proving people wrong all left right and centre.

In the book, there is a chapter about feminism and what it means to be a feminist. It talks about white feminism and how a lot of the time feminists aren’t willing to include race in their agenda. That just being a woman and the issues women face is enough, but this book talks about how the every day feminism we are used to doesn’t seem to apply to all. I’ve found this chapter educational, as a feminist and a lover of education this book alone has widened me knowledge on a lot of things. Although I know as a white woman I’ll never fully be able to relate to the author or the people who endure all of this prejudice mentioned in the book but that doesn’t mean I can’t preach what she is saying. She talks about how feminism currently aims to achieves what only effects them, the majority of famous feminists are white so they don’t have to deal with race as an issue, so most of the time it is just swept under the carpet. Reni goes on to talk about how feminism should be all inclusive, even though it’s unrealistic but things like race, sexuality, disability etc. Need to be talked about, issues need to be raised even if it seems impossible to make all individuals equal. 

Reading the sixth chapter of this book ‘Race and Class’ this chapter talks about politics and how political agendas try to divide the class systems. Especially Whites from PoC/ BME. Potiticans scaremongers white work class people about immigrants ‘taking their jobs’. Reni makes the point that these leaders, people above working class folk, only ever use this card to place the blame. Is it not the people above us holding us down? But they don’t want the working people to  notice that so they put the blame on other people. Is it not easier to blame the neighbour than battle the powers above? This chapter really opened my eyes, I always thought the ‘immigrants are taking our jobs’ was rubbish, but I didn’t consider why these nonsense rumours were being spread. Politicians are trying to turn the classes against one another to distract from the real issues being dealt with. The chapter really tackles politics and by the end addresses that working class people white or of any colour shouldn’t be turned against each other, we are all in similar situations. However,  this still means race shouldn’t be ignored.

Having finished this book I find that an anger has arisen inside of me. I know I can’t change all of above, and I probably will never truly or personally understand the issues BMEdeal with. But  I can talk about it. Race needs to be talked about, wide and far and it’s an ongoing issue that won’t ever go away. It shouldn't be ignored, because it doesn't apply to certain people, this is an issue that needs to be addressed. I would recommend you reading this book, anybody and everybody should read this book. It’s eye opening and quite frankly a shock that everybody needs.