Hi all!

Today I am back for Day #4 of the Black Resilience Booksta Challenge. I explained all the rules in my first post here. I’m hoping this will inspire other readers to read, review and amplify more black voices. Feel free to join me! You can refer to the template below.

I chose Why I’m No Longer Talking To White People About Race by Reni-Eddo Lodge for Day #4, because it is a non-fiction book regarding systemic racism in Great Britain. Up until now, I had only educated myself on racism in my own country and that of the United States. It was eye-opening learning about oppression in another part of the world.

Reni Eddo-Lodge is a British journalist and author, whose writing primarily focuses on feminism and exposing structural racism. Despite being quite a short book, it packed a punch. Reni explains at the beginning that she is no longer interested in engaging with white people that refuse to acknowledge the existence of structural racism. As she states in her opening essay: “This emotional disconnect is the conclusion of living a life oblivious to the fact that their skin colour is the norm and all others deviate from it.” You can read the full article here.

Reni eloquently narrates the origins of slavery within Great Britain, from colonisation to conscripting black soldiers into the war. They were not only paid less, but treated terribly. She touches on equal job opportunities, feminism for black women, everyday oppression, links between class/race and white fragility. It doesn’t matter what area of the globe, racism is alive and well. This book is so important because it confronts those of us with privilege, forcing us to face reality. I highly recommend everybody read it.

Order a copy here.

Thank you so much for reading, I will see you next time for Day #5!

Peace & Love xoxo