How to Be Less Stupid About Race: On Racism, White Supremacy, and the Racial Divide
$8.60
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29 reviews for How to Be Less Stupid About Race: On Racism, White Supremacy, and the Racial Divide
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How to Be Less Stupid About Race: On Racism, White Supremacy, and the Racial Divide
$8.60
J. Lyon –
Fast to read, clear in message and right to the point. I recommend the ebook because there are many times I had to stop and look things up – like then truly heartbreaking list of Black women killed by cops – and having the ability to do so right from the app was very effective. I looked up every name the author listed in that section, it made the tragic impact even more powerful.
Alyssa Marie –
*I received a free copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*This is a book that we NEED right now. It’s a no-nonsense look at where we are and how we’re inundated with denial and misunderstandings about what white supremacy is and how it works. For those struggling to understand why things are the way they are and why people seem so brazen about their racism now, this is the book for you! Fleming shows just how deeply entrenched white supremacy is in our culture and explains that things aren’t really any different than they used to be–people are just now being more honest about how things are.I really appreciated the personal touch this book has; Fleming gives us lessons about race by walking us through her own journey to being someone who actively studies, educates, and tries to dismantle the ignorance we live in about race. This is really what makes the book special–it’s super informational, but also a memoir of one amazing woman’s growth and journey to being who she is. What I love most about this book is that Fleming does not take a holier-than-thou approach. She fully admits to her own biases and prejudices, examining them and using them as examples to give a more personal look at exactly what she’s talking about.For those just delving into learning more about critical race theory and interested in challenging your own complicity in holding up the current power structure, be prepared! It’s a rough journey but one that is so worth it. Fleming is compassionate in her approach to calling us out and cheering us on to do and be better. She also gives some great resources as an addition that can help you learn more about yourself, your biases, and what work you can accomplish to be less ignorant about race. Definitely give this a read! I’m going to be buying this for my friends and family, regardless of whether or not they think they need to read this. Also, give Crystal Marie Fleming a follow on Twitter–her tweets are amazing!
Read-A-Lot –
Wow, well done Ms. Fleming. Another voice and book added to that ever expanding canon, race studies? Combating white supremacy? Not sure what the category will eventually be titled but work dealing with racism, white supremacy and writing from a F$&@ your feelings perspective is becoming more and more and more prevalent.So, Ms. Fleming leans a little to the academic side with flashes of memoir and it works well. She is a scholar on race and I think that’s important. For people who study this racial dynamic, they can offer deeper insights than the average Joe and Jane.To wit, “Everyone has an opinion about race, but 99 percent of the population has never studied it. And even many textbooks that “talk about race” are filled with lies, inaccuracies, and alternative facts.” Yes, indeed! She does a good job of debunking the common myths around race, with personal anecdotes and solid study.“Much of the racial stupidity we encounter in everyday life derives from the fact that people think of racism as individual prejudice rather than a broader system and structure of power. Speaking of prejudice, it’s important to understand that individual biases and negative stereotypes (which we all hold) are not the same as systemic racism (a system of power).” This is probably the biggest hurdle in getting folks to commit to being anti-racist. They think, I’m a good person, so I can’t possibly be racist. If one can get beyond that, then one can be on their way to change!“As long as the endemic, systemic nature of white supremacy is successfully minimized or denied, as long as “conversations about race” are mainly about individual attitudes, prejudice, or the actions of a few extremists, then attention is drawn away from the structures and pattern of racial inequality hiding in plain sight.”It’s a quick read and one you should share with your friends who still exhibit stupidity around race and discussions of it. This is indeed the cure for such stupidity. It’s an accessible work despite the academic leanings. I’m sure we will hear from Ms. Fleming again.
secretninja –
Highly recommend this book, it was easy to read and packed with smart observations. Dr. Fleming’s writing is funny and thought provoking.
Angie Grace –
With every page, I’m struck by how little I know. This book will change you, and teach you what “systemic” really means. If you found this book because of an interview with Dr. Fleming that somehow left discussion of systemic racism out of the edit, buy this now and start seeing beyond what you’ve been shown in the past. My words on this are awkward. The book is really important. Buy it. Read it. Buy more for anyone you care about.
bogster –
Important, no– essential. It changed me.
John P Hunckler –
Great book in great shape.
Amazon Customer –
This books explains the true wealth and power of this country.
Zina –
This is a good book to read. It stimulates your thinking and the author challenges you to ponder from a new perspective.
Melissa Sorokin –
Everyone in Amerika should read and discuss this book. Its part of our Racial Healing Book Club and it’s been such an impactful read for us. Just read it. You won’t regret it I promise
Julie D. –
This is more helpful and thoughtfully explained than I could have hoped for. Recommended.
Masi –
Everyone needs to read this book. Dr. Fleming does a spectacular job in dissecting the racial ignorance the world continues to suffer from over and over again. It’s an eye opener.
ColeTan –
Have definitely recommended this to many working professionals. great read
Harris Fam –
This is an insightful and delightful read- at times it’s a hard look in the mirror m, but you will be all the better for it!Read it. Tell others to read it. Insist others read it.This is an American (global) treasure.
BMAR –
In this both seriously funny and seriously serious book, author Fleming takes on an issues in the US that plagues us, yet which we like to avoid discussing “like the plague”. The issue of race is one that can be uncomfortable to discuss, yet until we tackle it as a nation head on, we will continue to have repercussions that disproportionately impact a subset of our nation’s citizens.Fleming argues that this is in part intentional as it allows current systems of oppression – which provide benefits for white citizen to continue. She tackles it from perspective far and wide. She engages theory and common knowledge seamlessly in ways that will challenge the reader to question themselves and all of those around. It causes you to look at signs of “progress” (for example the election of Barack Obama) differently.This is a one of a kind book, at a time that it is most needed.Thank you for this gift, Dr. Fleming!
X. –
It helps that Dr. Fleming writes in a breezy tone, but her message is, yes, a little depressing. One of the things that makes it depressing is that it is entirely convincing: we live in a culture built on, and still benefiting from, white supremacy. Systemic racism — in fact, systemic oppression — shapes many of, or most of, our institutions. And fighting against all of this is a continuous, exhausting fight against oppression.But it’s a fight we have to take on, and she offers hopeful and helpful suggestions for how to do that without losing your mind.If you’re open to cultural criticism and willing to entertain some uncomfortable ideas, this is a book you really ought to read. Yeah, I don’t always agree with everything in this book, but that’s okay. If you can cope with a little cognitive dissonance (and if you can’t, you might want to work on yourself) this book is more than worth reading.
katherine watkins –
If you’re trying to become antiracist, this book may help!I highly suggest purchasing this book asap. Thank you for doing the work!
Kiki –
From the very beginning, this book will draw you in and have you keep turning the pages. Dr. Fleming is able to use her expertise as a race scholar to bring to a larger audience (outside of her classroom and academia) concepts and heavily researched facts about racism that are never taught unless you’ve taken a course on race. Also, this book is definitely not “dry”, it’s very lively which has much to do with the unique voice of Dr. Fleming who is able to weave in humor. I would highly recommend this book!
prolifictunes –
Crystal makes racism in the US very easy to understand. It is backed with facts and made me think a lot about how blindly I’ve followed democratic party and Obama without realizing how much each has been serving white supremacy, violence and neoliberalism.I was saddened to learn many sad truths about government enlisting nazis to our government which was disappointing.Throughout the book, the author makes great points as to how white supremacy has been at the forefront of government and politics and how that connects to our everyday lives.Thank for pointing so many things out and validating my experience as a person of color.I actually wish the book was longer because I enjoyed reading it sooo much but, I suppose the author wanted to make things to the point.I wish Crystal Fleming would have talked a lot more on how to confront racism in everyday life with more everyday examples and scripts to challenge racism, in the workplace, with friends and family settings etc whether it’s microaggressions or violence and ways to handle each situation both with oppressors and how to self care for ourselves and communities when this happens. I also wish she would have talked more about gaslighting and broken down various forms of racism in a graph and explained them and their impact.On a side note I’m particularly interested in understanding more about how racism impacts mental health of bipoc as well as white people, and the historical implications of racism in mental health field and how mental health professionals treat focus dealing with everyday racism and would love to read her take on this in the future.Definitely recommend this book!
marilyn bell –
I was even more enlightened by the knowledge and telling information about race and racism. I applaud the author for articulating the truths of america’s sin both past and present in such a glaring and acceptable way. Everyone owes it to themselves to read this book. It gave me a better understanding of my own prejudices after I read it. I could no longer deny truths about race, racism and division amongst people and cultures. I am now much more socially conscience. This book tugs at your soul and is both ABSOLUTE and dire to our recognition our past wrongs and present wrongs with regard to race.
Gabo Palacios –
Go and read this book if you want to understand thinga like intersectionalism, why reverse racism doesn’t exist and many more.
N Adams –
Once I started the book I couldn’t put it down. I also had sticky notes close at hand so that I could “mark” places in the book. I would include a picture of all the sticky notes but I’ve lent it to a friend who is a diversity, equity, and inclusion consultant to help inform her work! Get a copy today – you won’t be disappointed.
Yaritza –
Fleming’s does an amazing job at giving up a well rounded comprehensive study of race. She tackles it from all perspective. We see how institutional racism functions as well as racism to oppressed people of color. Best of all she addresses the fallacy’s of race and debunks then beautifully. She’s blunt, to the point, and passionate about making the general public literate on Race.
J. Kiernan –
This book is not an invitation to explore a different perspective. Neither is it an emotional rant about inequality. It is a direct and well-researched explanation of the systemic inequity under which our society functions. It addresses much of the all-too familiar lingo bandied about in the media, and asks the reader to set aside what we think we know and look at history and current events to reevaluate our understanding of the world in which we live. Recommended read with a caveat: there are a few instances of strong language, so if that offends you more than the concept of racism itself, be warned.
OneTiredMother –
Combining no-holds-barred social critique, humorous personal anecdotes, and analysis of the latest interdisciplinary scholarship on systemic racism, sociologist Crystal M. Fleming provides a fresh, accessible, and irreverent take on everything that’s wrong with our “national conversation about race.” Drawing upon critical race theory, as well as her own experiences as a queer black millennial college professor and researcher, Fleming unveils how systemic racism exposes us all to racial ignorance—and provides a road map for transforming our knowledge into concrete social change.
Rachel –
A great start to understanding race. The conversation should be had by all. The terms given in this book will inevitably force you to think critically and you personal and social experiences. If you want to be a better humanitarian, read this. If you want to learn, read this. If you want to challenge, read this.
Laura Matthews –
This book is challenging, down-to-earth, radical, practical, all the things. Quick and entertaining read, too. I consider myself a progressive liberal, and this stretched me. Thought-provoking insights into Obama, The New York Times, and other “liberal” sacred cows, while also a deep dive into the full extent of what we’re facing as a country. If I could get this book into the hands of every white person in America, I would. BUY IT.
Martin Diller –
I learned a lot. Listen to Black Women.
Amazon Customer –
Simultaneously personal and scholarly, Crystal Fleming explains her path as a Black woman awakening to the problem of racism in America. Dr. Fleming is a sociologist who uses her personal and powerful voice, and her intellectual skill to teach us about critical race theory, and about the challenges of white supremacy and racism in America today. Highly recommend. (Review written by a 59 year old white woman.)