Talking About Race

Ijeomo Oluo believes that we need to have more and better conversations about race in order to combat racial injustice; she has written this book as a starting point for anyone who wants to have those conversations in a productive and non-hurtful way. Oluo acknowledges that talking about race is often uncomfortable for all people involved. However, she encourages readers, particularly white readers, to sit in that discomfort. She encourages them to explore their own uncomfortable feelings and to see what else those feelings have to offer. Furthermore, discomfort is not a valid reason or an excuse to avoid necessary and meaningful conversations. Dealing with the discomfort that comes up when talking about race often means examining one's personal flaws, mistaken beliefs, and harmful behaviors, even if those are all unknowing or unintentional.

For those who want to have meaningful and constructive conversations about race, Oluo...