Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race by Reni Eddo-Lodge

A powerful and provocative argument on the role that race and racism play in modern Britain, by award-winning journalist Reni Eddo-Lodge

In February 2014, Reni Eddo-Lodge wrote about her frustration with the way discussions of race and racism in Britain were constantly being led by those who weren’t affected by it. She posted the piece on her blog, and gave it the title: ‘Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People about Race’.

Her powerful, passionate words hit a nerve. The post went viral, and comments flooded in from others desperate to speak up about their own, similar experiences. Galvanised by this response, she decided to dig 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. Exploring issues from eradicated black history to the political purpose of white dominance, whitewashed feminism to the inextricable link between class and race, Reni Eddo-Lodge offers a new framework for how to see, acknowledge and counter racism.

Full of clear, bold 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 at its heart. It is a timely, essential book by a vital new voice.

How did I get the book? I bought it

Genre: Non-fiction

Review: I thought a long time about how to write a review for Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race. For the first time I went and read at length what other reviews said and it was striking how for all the ones that praised the book there would be the mirror opposite saying the author was herself being racist or holding back integration, etc. etc. etc. For the record I think that’s utter rubbish and they’ve completely proved Reni Eddo-Lodge’s point.

Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race is a book that needs reading. The frustration of the authors voice is clear in the text, making it a passionate non-fiction book instead of a clinical text. I think this is both the strength but also the why some readers take a defensive stance. For those that do, I’d say look as to why you’re having those feelings.

The whole point about choosing to read Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race is that I wanted to learn. And I did.