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

This is the most important book I have read this year and it is difficult to find one word to describe its monumental impact on white and people of colour alike. Critics have described this book as “uncompromising, powerful, devastating, eye-opening, opinionated and pretty kick-ass” whilst the Spectator has praised this book as “A revelation, undoubtedly essential”. For me, Reni’s voice is eviscerating, unapologetic and a call to action for all of us to change the conversation about race. Here’s why this book should be on your essential reading list. Tensions with race relations have existed for centuries and Reni is not the first nor the last person to write about structural racism, white privilege, and racial inequality. But she is the first who writes with an interesting and resilient voice — a mixture of anger, frustration, and insightfulness. This exposition on race is based on her blog post of the same name, in which she stated a truth universally accepted by people of colour: “It’s truly a lifetime of self-censorship that people of colour have to live. The options are — speak your truth and face the reprisal or bite your tongue and get ahead in life.” <a href="https://lisa-wan.medium.com/book-review-why-im-no-longer-talking-to-white-people-about-race-by-reni-eddo-lodge-3be5d01c1001">Website</a>