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So You Want to Talk About Race: A Guide to Meaningful Conversation
The air crackles with unspoken tensions. A news headline sparks a heated debate. A casual comment leaves you feeling uneasy. Race. It’s a topic that permeates every aspect of our lives, yet often remains shrouded in silence, discomfort, or even hostility. This post isn't about offering easy answers; there aren't any. Instead, it provides a framework for navigating the complex landscape of racial conversations, equipping you with the tools to engage in meaningful dialogue, even when it's challenging. We’ll explore how to approach the topic with empathy, understanding, and a commitment to respectful communication. Prepare to unpack your own biases, learn from diverse perspectives, and contribute to a more inclusive world.
Understanding the Nuances of Race: Beyond Simple Definitions
Before diving into conversation, it's crucial to acknowledge the complexity of race itself. Race isn’t a biological reality in the way many initially perceive it; rather, it’s a social construct. This means that its meaning is created and maintained through social interactions, power dynamics, and historical context. Understanding this crucial distinction is the first step towards having productive conversations.
#### Deconstructing the Social Construct:
Historical Context: The concept of race has evolved significantly throughout history, often tied to colonialism, slavery, and other forms of oppression. Recognizing this history is essential to understanding the present-day implications.
Power Dynamics: Race is inextricably linked to power dynamics. Understanding the ways in which racial hierarchies have historically and currently impacted society is vital for navigating conversations with sensitivity.
Individual Experiences: Recognizing that everyone's experience with race is unique and shaped by their individual background and identity is paramount. Avoid generalizations and assumptions.
Creating Space for Meaningful Dialogue: Practical Tips for Conversation
Initiating and maintaining a productive conversation about race requires careful consideration and preparation. It’s not about winning an argument; it’s about fostering understanding.
#### Active Listening and Empathy:
Listen More Than You Speak: Truly listen to understand, not to respond. Pay attention to both verbal and non-verbal cues.
Empathy, Not Sympathy: Try to understand the other person's perspective, even if you don't agree with it. Empathy means walking in their shoes, while sympathy is feeling sorry for them. The former fosters connection; the latter can be distancing.
Acknowledge Discomfort: It’s okay to acknowledge that these conversations can be uncomfortable. This shared acknowledgment can create a safer space for dialogue.
#### Avoiding Common Pitfalls:
Don't Interrupt or Dismiss: Allow individuals to fully express their thoughts and feelings without interruption. Avoid dismissing their experiences or perspectives as invalid.
Avoid Making Assumptions: Refrain from making generalizations or assumptions about individuals based on their race or any other aspect of their identity.
Focus on Understanding, Not "Winning": The goal isn't to prove your point; it's to understand different perspectives and build bridges.
Educating Yourself: Continual Learning and Growth
Meaningful conversations about race are ongoing. They require a commitment to lifelong learning and self-reflection.
#### Resources for Continued Learning:
Books: Explore a wide range of books written by authors from diverse racial backgrounds, offering different perspectives and experiences.
Documentaries: Watch documentaries that explore the history and impact of race in society.
Podcasts: Listen to podcasts that feature conversations about race and related topics.
Workshops and Seminars: Participate in workshops and seminars that provide opportunities to engage in dialogue and learn from others.
The Importance of Allyship: Standing in Solidarity
Allyship is not just about agreeing; it's about active participation in creating a more equitable society. It involves listening, learning, and advocating for those who have historically been marginalized.
#### Practical Steps to Allyship:
Educate Yourself: Continuously educate yourself about issues of race and racism.
Amplify Marginalized Voices: Share the stories and perspectives of those who have been historically marginalized.
Challenge Racism: Speak up when you witness racism or discrimination.
Support Anti-Racist Organizations: Support organizations that are actively working to combat racism and promote racial justice.
Conclusion: A Journey, Not a Destination
Talking about race is not a one-time event; it's an ongoing journey of learning, listening, and growing. By approaching these conversations with empathy, humility, and a commitment to understanding, we can build bridges, foster inclusivity, and create a more just and equitable world. Remember, the goal isn't to achieve perfection but to strive for progress, recognizing that continuous learning and self-reflection are crucial components of this vital process.
FAQs
1. What if I say something wrong? It’s okay to make mistakes. Apologize sincerely, learn from the experience, and move forward. The important thing is to be willing to learn and grow.
2. How do I address microaggressions? Directly addressing microaggressions can be difficult, but it's important to do so when possible. You might say something like, "I'm uncomfortable with that comment; could you rephrase it?" or "That sounds like a stereotype."
3. What if someone becomes defensive during a conversation? Try to remain calm and empathetic. Acknowledge their feelings, but reiterate your commitment to having a respectful conversation.
4. Is it okay to ask someone about their race? Generally, it’s best to avoid asking directly about someone's race unless it's relevant to a specific context, such as in a survey or demographic study. Focus on their identity and experiences as a whole person.
5. How can I become a better ally? Continuously educate yourself, listen to the experiences of marginalized communities, challenge racism when you see it, and actively support anti-racist organizations and initiatives. Allyship is an ongoing process of learning and growth.
| so you want to talk about race: So You Want to Talk About Race Ijeoma Oluo, 2019-09-24 In this #1 New York Times bestseller, Ijeoma Oluo offers a revelatory examination of race in America Protests against racial injustice and white supremacy have galvanized millions around the world. The stakes for transformative conversations about race could not be higher. Still, the task ahead seems daunting, and it’s hard to know where to start. How do you tell your boss her jokes are racist? Why did your sister-in-law hang up on you when you had questions about police reform? How do you explain white privilege to your white, privileged friend? In So You Want to Talk About Race, Ijeoma Oluo guides readers of all races through subjects ranging from police brutality and cultural appropriation to the model minority myth in an attempt to make the seemingly impossible possible: honest conversations about race, and about how racism infects every aspect of American life. Simply put: Ijeoma Oluo is a necessary voice and intellectual for these times, and any time, truth be told. ―Phoebe Robinson, New York Times bestselling author of You Can't Touch My Hair |
| so you want to talk about race: Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race Reni Eddo-Lodge, 2020-11-12 'Every voice raised against racism chips away at its power. We can't afford to stay silent. This book is an attempt to speak' The book that sparked a national conversation. Exploring everything from eradicated black history to the inextricable link between class and race, Why I'm No Longer Talking to White People About Race is the essential handbook for anyone who wants to understand race relations in Britain today. THE NO.1 SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER WINNER OF THE BRITISH BOOK AWARDS NON-FICTION NARRATIVE BOOK OF THE YEAR 2018 FOYLES NON-FICTION BOOK OF THE YEAR BLACKWELL'S NON-FICTION BOOK OF THE YEAR WINNER OF THE JHALAK PRIZE LONGLISTED FOR THE BAILLIE GIFFORD PRIZE FOR NON-FICTION LONGLISTED FOR THE ORWELL PRIZE SHORTLISTED FOR A BOOKS ARE MY BAG READERS AWARD |
| so you want to talk about race: So You Want to Talk About Race Ijeoma Oluo, 2018-01-16 In this New York Times bestseller, Ijeoma Oluo offers a hard-hitting but user-friendly examination of race in America Widespread reporting on aspects of white supremacy--from police brutality to the mass incarceration of African Americans--have made it impossible to ignore the issue of race. Still, it is a difficult subject to talk about. How do you tell your roommate her jokes are racist? Why did your sister-in-law take umbrage when you asked to touch her hair--and how do you make it right? How do you explain white privilege to your white, privileged friend? In So You Want to Talk About Race, Ijeoma Oluo guides readers of all races through subjects ranging from intersectionality and affirmative action to model minorities in an attempt to make the seemingly impossible possible: honest conversations about race and racism, and how they infect almost every aspect of American life. Oluo gives us--both white people and people of color--that language to engage in clear, constructive, and confident dialogue with each other about how to deal with racial prejudices and biases.--National Book Review Generous and empathetic, yet usefully blunt . . . it's for anyone who wants to be smarter and more empathetic about matters of race and engage in more productive anti-racist action.--Salon (Required Reading) |
| so you want to talk about race: Mediocre Ijeoma Oluo, 2020-12-01 From the TIME 100 author of the Sunday Times and number 1 New York Times bestseller So You Want to Talk About Race, a subversive history of white male American identity -- now with a new preface. 'One of the most admired writers and internet yellers around... [Mediocre is] ever more vital... Oluo's meeting the time -- this movement against white supremacy and systems of oppression. But the question she keeps asking in her work: Are we?' IBRAM X KENDI 'Mediocre paints an urgent, honest picture of how white male identity has spawned unrest in the country's political ideology... It's a necessary read for the world we live in' CHIDOZIE OBASI, Harper's Bazaar '[Ijeoma's] books don't come from a place of hate, but of determination to make change... [Mediocre is] another amazing book' TREVOR NOAH on The Daily Show What happens to a country that tells generation after generation of white men that they deserve power? What happens when success is defined by status over women and people of colour, instead of actual accomplishments? Through the last 150 years of American history -- from the post-Reconstruction South and the mythic stories of cowboys, to the present-day controversy over NFL protests and the backlash against the rise of women in politics -- Ijeoma Oluo exposes the devastating consequences of white male supremacy on women, people of colour, and white men themselves. As provocative as it is essential, Mediocre investigates the real costs of white male power in order to imagine a new white male identity, one free from racism and sexism. '[An] analytical and compassionate book' New Statesman 'Deftly combines history and sociological study with personal narrative, and the result is both uncomfortable and illuminating' Washington Post 'Ijeoma's sharp yet accessible writing about the American racial landscape made her 2018 book So You Want to Talk About Race an invaluable resource . . . Mediocre builds on this exemplary work, homing in on the role of white patriarchy in creating and upholding a system built to disenfranchise anyone who isn't a white male' TIME |
| so you want to talk about race: Speaking of Race Celeste Headlee, 2021-11-02 A Boston Globe Most Anticipated Fall Book In this urgently needed guide, the PBS host, award-winning journalist, and author of We Need to Talk teaches us how to have productive conversations about race, offering insights, advice, and support. A self-described “light-skinned Black Jew,” Celeste Headlee has been forced to speak about race—including having to defend or define her own—since childhood. In her career as a journalist for public media, she’s made it a priority to talk about race proactively. She’s discovered, however, that those exchanges have rarely been productive. While many people say they want to talk about race, the reality is, they want to talk about race with people who agree with them. The subject makes us uncomfortable; it’s often not considered polite or appropriate. To avoid these painful discussions, we stay in our bubbles, reinforcing our own sense of righteousness as well as our division. Yet we gain nothing by not engaging with those we disagree with; empathy does not develop in a vacuum and racism won’t just fade away. If we are to effect meaningful change as a society, Headlee argues, we have to be able to talk about what that change looks like without fear of losing friends and jobs, or being ostracized. In Speaking of Race, Headlee draws from her experiences as a journalist, and the latest research on bias, communication, and neuroscience to provide practical advice and insight for talking about race that will facilitate better conversations that can actually bring us closer together. This is the book for people who have tried to debate and educate and argue and got nowhere; it is the book for those who have stopped talking to a neighbor or dread Thanksgiving dinner. It is an essential and timely book for all of us. |
| so you want to talk about race: White Fragility Robin DiAngelo, 2019-02-07 The International Bestseller 'With clarity and compassion, DiAngelo allows us to understand racism as a practice not restricted to bad people. In doing so, she moves our national discussions forward. This is a necessary book for all people invested in societal change' Claudia Rankine Anger. Fear. Guilt. Denial. Silence. These are the ways in which ordinary white people react when it is pointed out to them that they have done or said something that has - unintentionally - caused racial offence or hurt. After, all, a racist is the worst thing a person can be, right? But these reactions only serve to silence people of colour, who cannot give honest feedback to 'liberal' white people lest they provoke a dangerous emotional reaction. Robin DiAngelo coined the term 'White Fragility' in 2011 to describe this process and is here to show us how it serves to uphold the system of white supremacy. Using knowledge and insight gained over decades of running racial awareness workshops and working on this idea as a Professor of Whiteness Studies, she shows us how we can start having more honest conversations, listen to each other better and react to feedback with grace and humility. It is not enough to simply hold abstract progressive views and condemn the obvious racists on social media - change starts with us all at a practical, granular level, and it is time for all white people to take responsibility for relinquishing their own racial supremacy. 'By turns mordant and then inspirational, an argument that powerful forces and tragic histories stack the deck fully against racial justice alongside one that we need only to be clearer, try harder, and do better' David Roediger, Los Angeles Review of Books 'The value in White Fragility lies in its methodical, irrefutable exposure of racism in thought and action, and its call for humility and vigilance' Katy Waldman, New Yorker 'A vital, necessary, and beautiful book' Michael Eric Dyson |
| so you want to talk about race: Wish We Knew What to Say Dr Pragya Agarwal, 2020-10-29 'A thoughtful, prescient read for any mother or father parenting through the unique challenges of this racially polarised year, decade and beyond' Kenya Hunt 'Comprehensive, readable, and so very important. The next generation needs you to read this book' Clare Mackintosh, Sunday Times bestselling author 'A vital book that equips us to have conversations about race and racism with young people, ensuring we are all playing our part to raise the next generations as anti-racist. With excellent, clear advice from Dr Agarwal I Wish We Knew What to Say is a quick, engaging and easily digestible read' Nikesh Shukla We want our children to thrive and flourish in a diverse, multi-cultural world and we owe it to them to help them make sense of the confusing and emotionally charged messages they receive about themselves and others. These early years are the most crucial when children are curious about the world around them, but are also quick to form stereotypes and biases that can become deeply ingrained as they grow older. These are the people who are going to inherit this world, and we owe it to them to lay a strong foundation for the next phases of their lives. Wish We Knew What to Say is a timely and urgent book that gives scenarios, questions, thought starters, resources and advice in an accessible manner on how to tackle tricky conversations around race and racism with confidence and awareness. it brings in the science of how children perceive race and form racial identity, combining it with personal stories and experiences to create a handy guide that every parent would refer to again and again. Written by behavioural and data scientist, Dr Pragya Agarwal, Wish We Knew What to Say will help all parents, carers and educators give children the tools and vocabulary to talk about people's differences and similarities in an open, non-judgemental, curious way, and help them address any unfairness they might see or encounter. |
| so you want to talk about race: We Are Not Like Them Christine Pride, Jo Piazza, 2021-10-05 A GOOD MORNING AMERICA BOOK CLUB PICK Named a Best Book Pick of 2021 by Harper’s Bazaar and Real Simple Named a Most Anticipated Book of Fall by People, Essence, New York Post, PopSugar, New York Newsday, Entertainment Weekly, Town & Country, Bustle, Fortune, and Book Riot Told from alternating perspectives, this “propulsive, deeply felt tale of race and friendship” (People) follows two women, one Black and one white, whose friendship is indelibly altered by a tragic event. Jen and Riley have been best friends since kindergarten. As adults, they remain as close as sisters, though their lives have taken different directions. Jen married young, and after years of trying, is finally pregnant. Riley pursued her childhood dream of becoming a television journalist and is poised to become one of the first Black female anchors of the top news channel in their hometown of Philadelphia. But the deep bond they share is severely tested when Jen’s husband, a city police officer, is involved in the shooting of an unarmed Black teenager. Six months pregnant, Jen is in freefall as her future, her husband’s freedom, and her friendship with Riley are thrown into uncertainty. Covering this career-making story, Riley wrestles with the implications of this tragic incident for her Black community, her ambitions, and her relationship with her lifelong friend. Like Tayari Jones’s An American Marriage and Jodi Picoult’s Small Great Things, We Are Not Like Them takes “us to uncomfortable places—in the best possible way—while capturing so much of what we are all thinking and feeling about race. A sharp, timely, and soul-satisfying novel” (Emily Giffin, New York Times bestselling author) that is both a powerful conversation starter and a celebration of the enduring power of friendship. |
| so you want to talk about race: Race Talk and the Conspiracy of Silence Derald Wing Sue, 2016-02-01 Turn Uncomfortable Conversations into Meaningful Dialogue If you believe that talking about race is impolite, or that colorblindness is the preferred approach, you must read this book. Race Talk and the Conspiracy of Silence debunks the most pervasive myths using evidence, easy-to-understand examples, and practical tools. This significant work answers all your questions about discussing race by covering: Characteristics of typical, unproductive conversations on race Tacit and explicit social rules related to talking about racial issues Race-specific difficulties and misconceptions regarding race talk Concrete advice for educators and parents on approaching race in a new way His insistence on the need to press through resistance to have difficult conversations about race is a helpful corrective for a society that prefers to remain silent about these issues. —Christopher Wells, Vice President for Student Life at DePauw University In a Canadian context, the work of Dr. Derald Wing Sue in Race Talk: and the Conspiracy of Silence is the type of material needed to engage a populace that is often described as 'Too Polite.' The accessible material lets individuals engage in difficult conversations about race and racism in ways that make the uncomfortable topics less threatening, resulting in a true 'dialogue' rather than a debate. —Darrell Bowden, M Ed. Education and Awareness Coordinator, Ryerson University He offers those of us who work in the Diversity and Inclusion space practical tools for generating productive dialogues that transcend the limiting constraints of assumptions about race and identity. —Rania Sanford, Ed.D. Associate Chancellor for Strategic Affairs and Diversity, Stanford University Sue's book is a must-read for any parent, teacher, professor, practioner, trainer, and facilitator who seeks to learn, understand, and advance difficult dialogues about issues of race in classrooms, workplaces, and boardrooms. It is a book of empowerment for activists, allies, or advocates who want to be instruments of change and to help move America from silence and inaction to discussion, engagement, and action on issues of difference and diversity. Integrating real life examples of difficult dialogues that incorporate the range of human emotions, Sue provides a masterful illustration of the complexities of dialogues about race in America. More importantly, he provides a toolkit for those who seek to undertake the courageous journey of understanding and facilitating difficult conversations about race. —Menah Pratt-Clarke, JD, PhD, Associate Provost for Diversity, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign |
| so you want to talk about race: Not Light, But Fire Matthew R. Kay, 2018 Do you feel prepared to initiate and facilitate meaningful, productive dialogues about race in your classroom? Are you looking for practical strategies to engage with your students? Inspired by Frederick Douglass's abolitionist call to action, it is not light that is needed, but fire Matthew Kay has spent his career learning how to lead students through the most difficult race conversations. Kay not only makes the case that high school classrooms are one of the best places to have those conversations, but he also offers a method for getting them right, providing candid guidance on: How to recognize the difference between meaningful and inconsequential race conversations. How to build conversational safe spaces, not merely declare them. How to infuse race conversations with urgency and purpose. How to thrive in the face of unexpected challenges. How administrators might equip teachers to thoughtfully engage in these conversations. With the right blend of reflection and humility, Kay asserts, teachers can make school one of the best venues for young people to discuss race. |
| so you want to talk about race: Body Kindness Rebecca Scritchfield, 2016-08-23 Create a healthier and happier life by treating yourself with compassion rather than shame. Imagine a graph with two lines. One indicates happiness, the other tracks how you feel about your body. If you’re like millions of people, the lines do not intersect. But what if they did? This practical, inspirational, and visually lively book shows you the way to a sense of well-being attained by understanding how to love, connect, and care for yourself—and that includes your mind as well as your body. Body Kindness is based on four principles. WHAT YOU DO: the choices you make about food, exercise, sleep, and more HOW YOU FEEL: befriending your emotions and standing up to the unhelpful voice in your head WHO YOU ARE: goal-setting based on your personal values WHERE YOU BELONG: body-loving support from people and communities that help you create a meaningful life With mind and body exercises to keep your energy spiraling up and prompts to help you identify what YOU really want and care about, Body Kindness helps you let go of things you can't control and embrace the things you can by finding the workable, daily steps that fit you best. It's the anti-diet book that leads to a more joyful and meaningful life. |
| so you want to talk about race: Let's Talk About Race Julius Lester, 2020-07-14 This wonderful book should be a first choice for all collections and is strongly recommended as a springboard for discussions about differences.” —School Library Journal (starred review) In this acclaimed book, the author of the Newbery Honor Book To Be a Slave shares his own story as he explores what makes each of us special. A strong choice for sharing at home or in the classroom. Karen Barbour's dramatic, vibrant paintings speak to the heart of Lester's unique vision, truly a celebration of all of us. This stunning picture book introduces race as just one of many chapters in a person's story (School Library Journal). Lester's poignant picture book helps children learn, grow, discuss, and begin to create a future that resolves differences (Children's Literature). Julius Lester said: I write because our lives are stories. If enough of these stories are told, then perhaps we will begin to see that our lives are the same story. The differences are merely in the details. I am a story. So are you. So is everyone. |
| so you want to talk about race: White Kids Margaret A. Hagerman, 2020-02-01 Winner, 2019 William J. Goode Book Award, given by the Family Section of the American Sociological Association Finalist, 2019 C. Wright Mills Award, given by the Society for the Study of Social Problems Riveting stories of how affluent, white children learn about race American kids are living in a world of ongoing public debates about race, daily displays of racial injustice, and for some, an increased awareness surrounding diversity and inclusion. In this heated context, sociologist Margaret A. Hagerman zeroes in on affluent, white kids to observe how they make sense of privilege, unequal educational opportunities, and police violence. In fascinating detail, Hagerman considers the role that they and their families play in the reproduction of racism and racial inequality in America. White Kids, based on two years of research involving in-depth interviews with white kids and their families, is a clear-eyed and sometimes shocking account of how white kids learn about race. In doing so, this book explores questions such as, “How do white kids learn about race when they grow up in families that do not talk openly about race or acknowledge its impact?” and “What about children growing up in families with parents who consider themselves to be ‘anti-racist’?” Featuring the actual voices of young, affluent white kids and what they think about race, racism, inequality, and privilege, White Kids illuminates how white racial socialization is much more dynamic, complex, and varied than previously recognized. It is a process that stretches beyond white parents’ explicit conversations with their white children and includes not only the choices parents make about neighborhoods, schools, peer groups, extracurricular activities, and media, but also the choices made by the kids themselves. By interviewing kids who are growing up in different racial contexts—from racially segregated to meaningfully integrated and from politically progressive to conservative—this important book documents key differences in the outcomes of white racial socialization across families. And by observing families in their everyday lives, this book explores the extent to which white families, even those with anti-racist intentions, reproduce and reinforce the forms of inequality they say they reject. |
| so you want to talk about race: Can We Talk about Race? Beverly Tatum, 2008-04-01 Major new reflections on race and schools—by the best-selling author of “Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?“ A Simmons College/Beacon Press Race, Education, and Democracy Series Book Beverly Daniel Tatum emerged on the national scene in 1997 with “Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?,“ a book that spoke to a wide audience about the psychological dynamics of race relations in America. Tatum’s unique ability to get people talking about race captured the attention of many, from Oprah Winfrey to President Clinton, who invited her to join him in his nationally televised dialogues on race. In her first book since that pathbreaking success, Tatum starts with a warning call about the increasing but underreported resegregation of America. A selfdescribed “integration baby“—she was born in 1954—Tatum sees our growing isolation from each other as deeply problematic, and she believes that schools can be key institutions for forging connections across the racial divide. In this ambitious, accessible book, Tatum examines some of the most resonant issues in American education and race relations: • The need of African American students to see themselves reflected in curricula and institutions • How unexamined racial attitudes can negatively affect minority-student achievement • The possibilities—and complications—of intimate crossracial friendships Tatum approaches all these topics with the blend of analysis and storytelling that make her one of our most persuasive and engaging commentators on race. Can We Talk About Race? launches a collaborative lecture and book series between Beacon Press and Simmons College, which aims to reinvigorate a crucial national public conversation on race, education and democracy. |
| so you want to talk about race: We Should Get Together Kat Vellos, 2020-01-04 We Should Get Together is the handbook for anyone who's ready for better friendships, now. Have you recently moved to a new city and are struggling to make friends? Do you find yourself constantly making plans with friends that fall through? Are you more likely to see your friends' social media posts than their faces? You aren't alone. Millions of adults struggle with an uncomfortable and persistent ache: platonic longing, which is the unfulfilled wish for authentic, resilient, close friendships. But it doesn't have to be this way. Making and maintaining friendships during adulthood can be hard--or, with a bit of intention and creativity, joyful. Author Kat Vellos, experience designer and founder of Better Than Small Talk, tackles the four most common challenges of adult friendship: constant relocation, full schedules, the demands of partnership and family, and our culture's declining capacity for compassion and intimacy in the age of social media. Combining expert research and personal stories pulled from conversations with hundreds of adults, We Should Get Together is the modern handbook for making and maintaining stronger friendships. With this book you will learn to: Make and maintain friendships when you (or your friends) keep moving Have deeper and more meaningful conversations Triumph over awkwardness in social situations Become less dependent on your phone Identify and prioritize quality connections Find time for friendship despite your busy calendar Create closer, more durable friendships Full of relatable stories, practical tips, 60 charming illustrations, 55 suggested activities, a book club discussion guide, and 300+ conversation starters, We Should Get Together is the perfect book for anyone who wants to have dedicated, life-enriching friends, and who wants to be that kind of friend, too. |
| so you want to talk about race: Race Cars Jenny Devenny, 2021-05-04 Race Cars is a picture book that serves as a springboard for parents and educators to discuss race, privilege, and oppression with their kids. |
| so you want to talk about race: Our Skin: A First Conversation About Race Megan Madison, Jessica Ralli, 2021-03-16 Based on the research that race, gender, consent, and body positivity should be discussed with toddlers on up, this read-aloud board book series offers adults the opportunity to begin important conversations with young children in an informed, safe, and supported way. Developed by experts in the fields of early childhood and activism against injustice, this topic-driven board book offers clear, concrete language and beautiful imagery that young children can grasp and adults can leverage for further discussion. While young children are avid observers and questioners of their world, adults often shut down or postpone conversations on complicated topics because it's hard to know where to begin. Research shows that talking about issues like race and gender from the age of two not only helps children understand what they see, but also increases self-awareness, self-esteem, and allows them to recognize and confront things that are unfair, like discrimination and prejudice. This first book in the series begins the conversation on race, with a supportive approach that considers both the child and the adult. Stunning art accompanies the simple and interactive text, and the backmatter offers additional resources and ideas for extending this discussion. |
| so you want to talk about race: You Can't Touch My Hair Phoebe Robinson, 2016-10-04 A NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLER • “A must-read...Phoebe Robinson discusses race and feminism in such a funny, real, and specific way, it penetrates your brain and stays with you.”—Ilana Glazer, co-creator and co-star of Broad City A hilarious and timely essay collection about race, gender, and pop culture from comedy superstar and 2 Dope Queens podcaster Phoebe Robinson Being a black woman in America means contending with old prejudices and fresh absurdities every day. Comedian Phoebe Robinson has experienced her fair share over the years: she's been unceremoniously relegated to the role of “the black friend,” as if she is somehow the authority on all things racial; she's been questioned about her love of U2 and Billy Joel (“isn’t that...white people music?”); she's been called “uppity” for having an opinion in the workplace; she's been followed around stores by security guards; and yes, people do ask her whether they can touch her hair all. the. time. Now, she's ready to take these topics to the page—and she’s going to make you laugh as she’s doing it. Using her trademark wit alongside pop-culture references galore, Robinson explores everything from why Lisa Bonet is “Queen. Bae. Jesus,” to breaking down the terrible nature of casting calls, to giving her less-than-traditional advice to the future female president, and demanding that the NFL clean up its act, all told in the same conversational voice that launched her podcast, 2 Dope Queens, to the top spot on iTunes. As personal as it is political, You Can't Touch My Hair examines our cultural climate and skewers our biases with humor and heart, announcing Robinson as a writer on the rise. One of Glamour's “Top 10 Books of 2016” |
| so you want to talk about race: White Tears/Brown Scars Ruby Hamad, 2020-10-06 Called “powerful and provocative by Dr. Ibram X. Kendi, author of the New York Times bestselling How to be an Antiracist, this explosive book of history and cultural criticism reveals how white feminism has been used as a weapon of white supremacy and patriarchy deployed against Black and Indigenous women, and women of color. Taking us from the slave era, when white women fought in court to keep “ownership” of their slaves, through the centuries of colonialism, when they offered a soft face for brutal tactics, to the modern workplace, White Tears/Brown Scars tells a charged story of white women’s active participation in campaigns of oppression. It offers a long overdue validation of the experiences of women of color. Discussing subjects as varied as The Hunger Games, Alexandria Ocasio–Cortez, the viral BBQ Becky video, and 19th century lynchings of Mexicans in the American Southwest, Ruby Hamad undertakes a new investigation of gender and race. She shows how the division between innocent white women and racialized, sexualized women of color was created, and why this division is crucial to confront. Along the way, there are revelatory responses to questions like: Why are white men not troubled by sexual assault on women? (See Christine Blasey Ford.) With rigor and precision, Hamad builds a powerful argument about the legacy of white superiority that we are socialized within, a reality that we must apprehend in order to fight. A stunning and thorough look at White womanhood that should be required reading for anyone who claims to be an intersectional feminist. Hamad’s controlled urgency makes the book an illuminating and poignant read. Hamad is a purveyor of such bold thinking, the only question is, are we ready to listen? —Rosa Boshier, The Washington Post |
| so you want to talk about race: Anti-Racist Ally: An Introduction to Action and Activism Sophie Williams, 2020-10-15 ‘Gives you the information you need to begin, or continue, your understanding of what it means to be a true anti-racist ally’ Pippa Vosper Do you want to be an anti-racist ally? |
| so you want to talk about race: Becoming an Anti-Racist Church Joseph Barndt, 2011-03-01 Christians addressing racism in American society must begin with a frank assessment of how race figures in the churches themselves, leading activist Joseph Barndt argues. This practical and important volume extends the insights of Barndt's earlier, more general work to address the race situation in the churches themselves and to equip people there to be agents for change in and beyond their church communities. |
| so you want to talk about race: The Skin We're In Desmond Cole, 2020-01-28 NATIONAL BESTSELLER WINNER OF THE 2020 TORONTO BOOK AWARD A bracing, provocative, and perspective-shifting book from one of Canada's most celebrated and uncompromising writers, Desmond Cole. The Skin We're In will spark a national conversation, influence policy, and inspire activists. In his 2015 cover story for Toronto Life magazine, Desmond Cole exposed the racist actions of the Toronto police force, detailing the dozens of times he had been stopped and interrogated under the controversial practice of carding. The story quickly came to national prominence, shaking the country to its core and catapulting its author into the public sphere. Cole used his newfound profile to draw insistent, unyielding attention to the injustices faced by Black Canadians on a daily basis. Both Cole’s activism and journalism find vibrant expression in his first book, The Skin We’re In. Puncturing the bubble of Canadian smugness and naive assumptions of a post-racial nation, Cole chronicles just one year—2017—in the struggle against racism in this country. It was a year that saw calls for tighter borders when Black refugees braved frigid temperatures to cross into Manitoba from the States, Indigenous land and water protectors resisting the celebration of Canada’s 150th birthday, police across the country rallying around an officer accused of murder, and more. The year also witnessed the profound personal and professional ramifications of Desmond Cole’s unwavering determination to combat injustice. In April, Cole disrupted a Toronto police board meeting by calling for the destruction of all data collected through carding. Following the protest, Cole, a columnist with the Toronto Star, was summoned to a meeting with the paper’s opinions editor and informed that his activism violated company policy. Rather than limit his efforts defending Black lives, Cole chose to sever his relationship with the publication. Then in July, at another police board meeting, Cole challenged the board to respond to accusations of a police cover-up in the brutal beating of Dafonte Miller by an off-duty police officer and his brother. When Cole refused to leave the meeting until the question was publicly addressed, he was arrested. The image of Cole walking out of the meeting, handcuffed and flanked by officers, fortified the distrust between the city’s Black community and its police force. Month-by-month, Cole creates a comprehensive picture of entrenched, systemic inequality. Urgent, controversial, and unsparingly honest, The Skin We’re In is destined to become a vital text for anti-racist and social justice movements in Canada, as well as a potent antidote to the all-too-present complacency of many white Canadians. |
| so you want to talk about race: The Other Side of Suffering Katie E. Cherry, 2020 As a developmental psychologist conducting research on the impact of the 2005 Atlantic Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, Katie Cherry logged thousands of miles in her car and hundreds of hours interviewing survivors, and along the the way she learned a few things about variables that matter after a disaster. In this work, she presents objective, research-based findings together with case illustrations and direct quotations from Katrina survivors. Six evidence-based principles of healing are presented. The overarching premise of this work is that the coastal residents who survived Katrina have a message of hope and healing after disaster. Their lives demonstrate that survivors of any disaster can regain a sense of joy in daily living after a catastrophic disaster or other life altering tragedy. |
| so you want to talk about race: Shatter Me Tahereh Mafi, 2013-10-23 Juliette must make a choice. Be a weapon. Or a warrior. Combining a crumbling dystopian world with a compelling heroine who has inexplicable powers, Shatter Me is a mesmerising thriller. 'Addictive, intense, and oozing with romance.' - Lauren Kate, author of Fallen. |
| so you want to talk about race: Student Power, Democracy and Revolution in the Sixties Nick Licata, 2021-08-25 This book uses humour and personal insight to weave tales, analysis, and history in this insider account of an enlightened populist student movement. The students involved took their citizenship seriously by asking the authorities who they were benefiting and who they were ignoring. They altered the prevailing culture by asking, “why not do something different”? Unlike other books on the Sixties, this book shows how predominantly working middle-class white students in a very conservative region initiated radical changes. They ushered in a new era of protecting women and minorities from discriminatory practices. This vivid account of bringing conservative students around to support social justice projects illustrates how step-by-step democratic change results in reshaping a nation’s character. Across the globe, students are seeking change. In the US, over 80 percent believe they have the power to change the country, and 60 percent think they’re part of that movement. This book’s portrayal of such efforts in the Sixties will inspire and guide those students. |
| so you want to talk about race: Wash Day (Full Color) Christin Armstrong, 2016-06-12 Every child can relate to the struggles that come along with wash day. Some parents can relate as well. Empathize with all of our wash day sentiments in this adorable book for your Mocha Kid. |
| so you want to talk about race: The Good Ally Nova Reid, 2021-09-16 ‘I invite you to be courageous and get comfortable with being uncomfortable, because any discomfort you feel is temporary and pales in comparison to what black and brown people often have to experience on a daily basis. Are you ready? Let’s get started, we have work to do.’ |
| so you want to talk about race: Stella Keeps the Sun Up Clothilde Ewing, 2022-03-08 When Stella does not want to go to bed, she tries all sorts of ways to keep the sun up-- |
| so you want to talk about race: The Good Immigrant Nikesh Shukla, 2016-09-22 First published in 2016, The Good Immigrant has since been hailed as a modern classic and credited with reshaping the discussion about race in contemporary Britain. It brings together a stellar cast of the country’s most exciting voices to reflect on why immigrants come to the UK, why they stay and what it means to be ‘other’ in a place that doesn’t seem to want you, doesn’t truly accept you – however many generations you’ve been here – but still needs you for its diversity monitoring forms. This 5th anniversary edition, featuring a new preface by editor Nikesh Shukla, shows that the pieces collected here are as poignant, challenging, angry, humorous, heartbreaking and important as ever. |
| so you want to talk about race: Mistaken Identity Asad Haider, 2018-05-15 A powerful challenge to the way we understand the politics of race and the history of anti-racist struggle Whether class or race is the more important factor in modern politics is a question right at the heart of recent history’s most contentious debates. Among groups who should readily find common ground, there is little agreement. To escape this deadlock, Asad Haider turns to the rich legacies of the black freedom struggle. Drawing on the words and deeds of black revolutionary theorists, he argues that identity politics is not synonymous with anti-racism, but instead amounts to the neutralization of its movements. It marks a retreat from the crucial passage of identity to solidarity, and from individual recognition to the collective struggle against an oppressive social structure. Weaving together autobiographical reflection, historical analysis, theoretical exegesis, and protest reportage, Mistaken Identity is a passionate call for a new practice of politics beyond colorblind chauvinism and “the ideology of race.” |
| so you want to talk about race: The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue V.E. Schwab, 2020-10-06 For someone damned to be forgettable, Addie LaRue is a most delightfully unforgettable character, and her story is the most joyous evocation of unlikely immortality. Neil Gaiman A Sunday Times-bestselling, award-nominated genre-defying tour-de-force of Faustian bargains, for fans of The Time Traveler's Wife and Life After Life, and The Sudden Appearance of Hope. When Addie La Rue makes a pact with the devil, she trades her soul for immortality. But there's always a price - the devil takes away her place in the world, cursing her to be forgotten by everyone. Addie flees her tiny home town in 18th-Century France, beginning a journey that takes her across the world, learning to live a life where no one remembers her and everything she owns is lost and broken. Existing only as a muse for artists throughout history, she learns to fall in love anew every single day. Her only companion on this journey is her dark devil with hypnotic green eyes, who visits her each year on the anniversary of their deal. Alone in the world, Addie has no choice but to confront him, to understand him, maybe to beat him. Until one day, in a second hand bookshop in Manhattan, Addie meets someone who remembers her. Suddenly thrust back into a real, normal life, Addie realises she can't escape her fate forever. |
| so you want to talk about race: Subtle Acts of Exclusion Tiffany Jana, DM, Michael Baran, 2020-03-10 The first practical handbook that helps individuals and organizations recognize and prevent microaggressions so that all employees can feel a sense of belonging. Our workplaces and society are growing more diverse, but are we supporting inclusive cultures? While overt racism, sexism, ableism, and other forms of discrimination are relatively easy to spot, we cannot neglect the subtler everyday actions that normalize exclusion. Many have heard the term microaggression, but not everyone fully understands what they are or how to recognize them and stop them from happening. Tiffany Jana and Michael Baran offer a clearer, more accessible term, subtle acts of exclusion, or SAEs, to emphasize the purpose and effects of these actions. After all, people generally aren't trying to be aggressive--usually they're trying to say something nice, learn more about a person, be funny, or build closeness. But whether in the form of exaggerated stereotypes, backhanded compliments, unfounded assumptions, or objectification, SAE are damaging to our coworkers, friends, and acquaintances. Jana and Baran give simple and clear tools to identify and address such acts, offering scripts and action plans for everybody involved. Knowing how to have these conversations in an open-minded, honest way will help us build trust and create stronger workplaces and healthier, happier people and communities. |
| so you want to talk about race: The Outsiders S. E Hinton, 1967 |
| so you want to talk about race: A Little Life Hanya Yanagihara, 2016 Moving to New York to pursue creative ambitions, four former classmates share decades marked by love, loss, addiction, and haunting elements from a brutal childhood. |
| so you want to talk about race: NurtureShock Po Bronson, Ashley Merryman, 2009-09-03 In a world of modern, involved, caring parents, why are so many kids aggressive and cruel? Where is intelligence hidden in the brain, and why does that matter? Why do cross-racial friendships decrease in schools that are more integrated? If 98% of kids think lying is morally wrong, then why do 98% of kids lie? What's the single most important thing that helps infants learn language? NurtureShock is a groundbreaking collaboration between award-winning science journalists Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman. They argue that when it comes to children, we've mistaken good intentions for good ideas. With impeccable storytelling and razor-sharp analysis, they demonstrate that many of modern society's strategies for nurturing children are in fact backfiring--because key twists in the science have been overlooked. Nothing like a parenting manual, the authors' work is an insightful exploration of themes and issues that transcend children's (and adults') lives. |
| so you want to talk about race: Letter from Birmingham Jail Martin Luther King, 2025-01-14 A beautiful commemorative edition of Dr. Martin Luther King's essay Letter from Birmingham Jail, part of Dr. King's archives published exclusively by HarperCollins. With an afterword by Reginald Dwayne Betts On April 16, 1923, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., responded to an open letter written and published by eight white clergyman admonishing the civil rights demonstrations happening in Birmingham, Alabama. Dr. King drafted his seminal response on scraps of paper smuggled into jail. King criticizes his detractors for caring more about order than justice, defends nonviolent protests, and argues for the moral responsibility to obey just laws while disobeying unjust ones. Letter from Birmingham Jail proclaims a message - confronting any injustice is an acceptable and righteous reason for civil disobedience. This beautifully designed edition presents Dr. King's speech in its entirety, paying tribute to this extraordinary leader and his immeasurable contribution, and inspiring a new generation of activists dedicated to carrying on the fight for justice and equality. |
| so you want to talk about race: Reading Picture Books with Children Megan Dowd Lambert, 2015-11-03 A new, interactive approach to storytime, The Whole Book Approach was developed in conjunction with the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art and expert author Megan Dowd Lambert's graduate work in children's literature at Simmons College, offering a practical guide for reshaping storytime and getting kids to think with their eyes. Traditional storytime often offers a passive experience for kids, but the Whole Book approach asks the youngest of readers to ponder all aspects of a picture book and to use their critical thinking skills. Using classic examples, Megan asks kids to think about why the trim size of Ludwig Bemelman's Madeline is so generous, or why the typeset in David Wiesner's Caldecott winner,The Three Pigs, appears to twist around the page, or why books like Chris Van Allsburg's The Polar Express and Eric Carle's The Very Hungry Caterpillar are printed landscape instead of portrait. The dynamic discussions that result from this shared reading style range from the profound to the hilarious and will inspire adults to make children's responses to text, art, and design an essential part of storytime. |
| so you want to talk about race: The Badass Feminist Coloring Book Ijeoma Oluo, 2015-09-22 The Badass Feminist Coloring Book: Teen Edition is the best coloring celebration of feminism you've ever seen! Featuring portraits of 40 feminists along with inspiring quotes and original essays on feminism that are way more interesting than the feminism you learn in school - this book is a must for every budding feminist. |
| so you want to talk about race: Let's Talk About Race (and Other Hard Things): A Framework for Having Conversations That Build Bridges, Strengthen Relationships, and Set Clear Bounda Nancy A. Dome, 2022-01-18 Fear. Avoidance. Division. The safest path can feel like the one without dialogue regarding conversations about equity and diversity. What if you offend the other person? What if they challenge your beliefs? What if you ruin a relationship? When it comes to hard topics, effective communication skills are an asset, vulnerability is necessary, and forgiveness is vital. In Let's Talk About Race (And Other Hard Things), communication expert and equity consultant Dr. Nancy A. Dome provides you with a framework to recognize feelings, interrupt flawed patterns, and repair relationships. Utilized in business, education, and communities throughout the country, Dr. Dome's process makes space for vulnerability and helps participants engage in empathetic dialogue. Conflict is normal and survivable, and you don't need special skills or experience to navigate it-you just need practice. Complete with extensive qualitative research and case studies, this step-by-step guide shows how to lean into difficult conversations, recognize the role emotions play when we are not in control of them, and create a solid foundation for change, progress, healing, and resolution. |
| so you want to talk about race: Let's Talk about Race in Storytimes Jessica Anne Bratt, 2021-11-08 With the help of this book's adaptable storytime activities, tools for self-reflection, and discussion starters, children's librarians will learn how to put anti-racism work into their professional practice while fostering an environment that celebrates all identities. |
So You Want to Talk About Race - Wikipedia
So You Want to Talk About Race is a 2018 non-fiction book by Ijeoma Oluo. Each chapter title is a question about race in contemporary America. Oluo outlines her opinions on the topics, as …
So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo | Goodreads
Jan 16, 2018 · In this breakout book, Ijeoma Oluo explores the complex reality of today's racial landscape--from white privilege and police brutality to systemic discrimination and the Black …
So You Want to Talk About Race - amazon.com
Sep 24, 2019 · In So You Want to Talk About Race, Ijeoma Oluo guides readers of all races through subjects ranging from police brutality and cultural appropriation to the model minority …
So You Want to Talk About Race Kindle Edition - amazon.com
Sep 24, 2019 · In this #1 New York Times bestseller, Ijeoma Oluo offers a revelatory examination of race in America. Protests against racial injustice and white supremacy have galvanized …
So You Want to Talk About Race - amazon.com
Jan 16, 2018 · In So You Want to Talk About Race, Editor-at-Large of the Establishment Ijeoma Oluo offers a contemporary, accessible take on the racial landscape in America, addressing …
So You Want to Talk about Race - Barnes & Noble®
Sep 24, 2019 · In this #1 New York Times bestseller, Ijeoma Oluo offers a revelatory examination of race in America. Protests against racial injustice and white supremacy have galvanized …
So You Want to Talk About Race Hardcover – Jan. 16 2018
In this #1 New York Times bestseller, Ijeoma Oluo offers a revelatory examination of race in America. Protests against racial injustice and white supremacy have galvanized millions …
So You Want to Talk about Race a book by Ijeoma Oluo
In this #1 New York Times bestseller, Ijeoma Oluo offers a revelatory examination of race in America Protests against racial injustice and white supremacy have galvanized millions …
So You Want to Talk About Race Full Book Summary
A short summary of Ijeoma Oluo's So You Want to Talk About Race. This free synopsis covers all the crucial plot points of So You Want to Talk About Race.
So You Want to Talk About Race - Ijeoma Oluo - Google Books
Sep 24, 2019 · In this #1 New York Times bestseller, Ijeoma Oluo offers a revelatory examination of race in America Protests against racial injustice and white supremacy have galvanized …
So You Want to Talk About Race - Wikipedia
So You Want to Talk About Race is a 2018 non-fiction book by Ijeoma Oluo. Each chapter title is a question about race in contemporary America. Oluo outlines her opinions on the topics, as …
So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo | Goodreads
Jan 16, 2018 · In this breakout book, Ijeoma Oluo explores the complex reality of today's racial landscape--from white privilege and police brutality to systemic discrimination and the Black …
So You Want to Talk About Race - amazon.com
Sep 24, 2019 · In So You Want to Talk About Race, Ijeoma Oluo guides readers of all races through subjects ranging from police brutality and cultural appropriation to the model minority …
So You Want to Talk About Race Kindle Edition - amazon.com
Sep 24, 2019 · In this #1 New York Times bestseller, Ijeoma Oluo offers a revelatory examination of race in America. Protests against racial injustice and white supremacy have galvanized …
So You Want to Talk About Race - amazon.com
Jan 16, 2018 · In So You Want to Talk About Race, Editor-at-Large of the Establishment Ijeoma Oluo offers a contemporary, accessible take on the racial landscape in America, addressing …
So You Want to Talk about Race - Barnes & Noble®
Sep 24, 2019 · In this #1 New York Times bestseller, Ijeoma Oluo offers a revelatory examination of race in America. Protests against racial injustice and white supremacy have galvanized …
So You Want to Talk About Race Hardcover – Jan. 16 2018
In this #1 New York Times bestseller, Ijeoma Oluo offers a revelatory examination of race in America. Protests against racial injustice and white supremacy have galvanized millions …
So You Want to Talk about Race a book by Ijeoma Oluo
In this #1 New York Times bestseller, Ijeoma Oluo offers a revelatory examination of race in America Protests against racial injustice and white supremacy have galvanized millions …
So You Want to Talk About Race Full Book Summary
A short summary of Ijeoma Oluo's So You Want to Talk About Race. This free synopsis covers all the crucial plot points of So You Want to Talk About Race.
So You Want to Talk About Race - Ijeoma Oluo - Google Books
Sep 24, 2019 · In this #1 New York Times bestseller, Ijeoma Oluo offers a revelatory examination of race in America Protests against racial injustice and white supremacy have galvanized …
