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Me and White Supremacy

How to Recognise Your Privilege, Combat Racism and Change the World

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Me and White Supremacy

By: Layla Saad, Robin DiAngelo
Narrated by: Layla Saad
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Summary

White supremacy is a violent system of oppression that harms Black, Indigenous and People of Colour, and if you are a person who holds white privilege, then you are complicit in upholding that harm, whether you realise it or not. And if you are person who holds white privilege, the question you should be asking isn't whether or not this is true, but rather, what are you going to do about it? 

Between June and July 2018, Layla Saad ran a 28-day Instagram challenge under the hashtag #MeAndWhiteSupremacy, for people with white privilege to unflinchingly examine the ways that they are complicit in upholding the oppressive system of white supremacy. 

The challenge quickly went viral, with thousands of people from all over the world (including USA, Canada, UK, Italy, Germany, The Netherlands, Russia, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Thailand and Qatar, among others) diving deep for 28 consecutive days to examine and take responsibility for the ways in which they uphold white supremacy. 

The challenge catalysed a worldwide awakening for thousands of white-privileged people to begin to take ownership of their personal antiracism work. 

The updated and expanded Me and White Supremacy takes the work deeper by adding more historical and cultural contexts, sharing moving stories and anecdotes, and including expanded definitions, examples, and and further resources. Awareness leads to action, and action leads to change. The numbers show that listeners are ready to do this work - let's give it to them. 

This workbook was born out of that challenge and the results have been life-changing.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2020 Layla Saad (P)2020 Quercus Editions Limited
Anthropology Freedom & Security Personal Development Personal Success Politics & Government Racism & Discrimination Social Sciences Discrimination Social justice Inspiring
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Behind the scenes

Layla Saad discusses her new book in the Audible Studio.
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All stars
Most relevant
Thought provoking at the end. However, the beginning is one dimensional and frankly discriminatory towards white people. The causes of systemic racism are distilled into a bland idea that is a self fulfilling prophecy and - if understood deeply in the way the author presents them - insoluble.
Could have and should have been done better.

Medium

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This book is very uncomfortable. But that's the point. It should be uncomfortable to meet oneself, and think thoroughly about how your inaction or thoughtlessness has harmed others.

It will sound like an excuse, but, much of it simply wasn't relevant for me. Norway has, up until recently, been a very homogeneous society. That means that I didn't encounter any BIPOC until I was in the last few years of school. I didn't meet any in my university classes, and I've not encountered any in my jobs. (Note that I've mostly worked in small organisations with just me or me and one other employee, or in areas pretty much without any BIPOC.)
I've grown up in an anti-racist family (even though we never met anyone non-white), and haven't heard anything racist from them.

However, I have been faced with wrongs I've done. I pledge to do my utmost to avoid them from now on.

I do understand why she uses the term "white supremacist". However, this book already makes people meet their own unintended racism. I think such a loaded term might be too much and I'm afraid it might turn people away, which would be a shame.

I might have some problems with finding a middle ground on some points. Because, I'm supposed to ask BIPOC about their experiences, but at the same time not do it. I'm supposed to have BIPOC friends, but not "token friends", which again is a problem here because of the homogeneous society, so I'll pretty much have to actively seek out BIPOC to befriend because they are BIPOC, which would make them token.

Anyway, it's been an educational experience to read this, and I will take it to heart, and try my best to improve. Thank you for being so frank, and open my eyes.

Important and uncomfortable

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An excellent aide to support you in understand and challenging your own biases. A tough read that doesn't hide away from the fact that this is hard work. Difficult to describe how significant this book is - take the leap and do the work.

This will challenge you to your core

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Provocative in all the right ways, this gave me a lot of food for thought, self-reflection and action. Not an easy or comfortable listen, which is exactly the point.

Hard work that's worth the effort.

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Saad presents the material in a non-judgmental but straightforward way. As a white man, I know I have to continue this work beyond this book. The other book mentioned, White Fragility, also narrated by its author, is a helpful companion. I would very strongly recommend that you do this work.

Hard work but helpful

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