So You Want to Talk About Race — By Ijeoma Oluo
By Jo Lorenz
So You Want to Talk About Race, by Ijeoma Oluo, is an important read for anyone committed to learning more about both personal/individual racism, i.e. racism that occurs on a human-to-human level; as well systemic racism, i.e. when racism occurs institutionally, for example within education, government, medical and/or policing establishments.
I’ve just finished reading this book for the second time, and I gotta tell you, I feel this book for so many reasons. I feel its incredible honesty. I feel the style in which it’s written. I feel the growth from the invaluable knowledge it imparts. Yet there is one particular section that I feel the most . . .
In chapter three, Ijeoma talks about a conversation with her mom where she is cringing about said mom’s “epiphany about race”. I have to admit, I’ve read this part about seventeen times and each time I cringe more than the last. I cringe at the stereotypes. I cringe at the the condition of being different/exceptional. I cringe at the assumptions. And I definitely cringe at the at the phrase “the good white people”. Welcome to 1A Cringe St, Cringington. Population: me.
But here’s the thing, folks: I am not cringing at Ijeoma’s mom. Not at all. I am cringing at myself.
I am a white woman and more times than I’d like to admit, I’ve been guilty of thinking I was an exception to racism — having had conversations with non-white friends of mine where I implied that because I had some kind of understanding of their struggle, it meant I wasn’t apart of the problem. But the truth is, I have been a part of the problem many times. And I likely will be so again, if I do not confront that fact.
Let me say it again: I am no exception. And trying to prove that I am an exception — that I am different and not-just-another-Karen-in-the-wild — is 100% self-serving. It is done only to appease my own guilt and is in no way of benefit to the Black, Indigenous and People of Color, with whom I say I ally.
So, yes, I want to talk about race. And yes, I want to talk about my role within a white supremacist society. And in doing so I want to face that I am within the rule and not some mythical exception — and this beautifully written and accessible resource provides me with the tools to work on that. To work on being anti-racist.
The question to my fellow white people is: are you willing to admit the same?
Footnotes:
When you read a book you really enjoy, buy a few extra copies and gift them to friends you know will benefit from reading it. This is an especially great rule when buying books from BIPOC, LGBTQIA+ or women authors.
The Progressivists does not receive any payment in you purchasing this book. This is a subjective, gratis review.
