Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man

by Emmanuel Acho

Hardcover, 2020

Status

Available

Call number

305.800973

Collection

Publication

Flatiron Books: An Oprah Book (2020), Edition: First Edition, 256 pages

Description

"In Uncomfortable Conversations With a Black Man, Acho takes on all the questions, large and small, insensitive and taboo, many white Americans are afraid to ask--yet which all Americans need the answers to, now more than ever. With the same open-hearted generosity that has made his video series a phenomenon, Acho explains the vital core of such fraught concepts as white privilege, cultural appropriation, and "reverse racism." In his own words, he provides a space of compassion and understanding in a discussion that can lack both. He asks only for the reader's curiosity--but along the way, he will galvanize all of us to join the antiracist fight." -- Provided by publisher.

User reviews

LibraryThing member Hccpsk
Emmanuel Acho isn’t saying anything new or profound about racism in Uncomfortable Conversations With a Black Man, but he does say it in a way that may attract new people to anti-racist work. His style is easy and comfortable, and he explains everything in a way that makes perfect sense. Every
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chapter begins with a question posed to him through his podcast, and he divides his answer into parts including historical context and how to act on his advice. He includes a lot of ideas for extra reading, and quotes by many famous people to support his ideas. Uncomfortable Conversations is a great book to introduce students or reluctant readers to anti-racist ideas, or as another book in your library. Highly recommended.
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LibraryThing member TheYodamom
I have been clueless. I thought I knew, thought I understood. I knew nothing, understood less. This was an eye opening, no heart opening read. It touches of some basic racial inequalities and looks at cultural histories. There were many recommendations on books to read, movements to join, ways to
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help stop racism. Questions from white people to a black man. What would you ask ? What would you like to understand ?
I listened to the audio for this. I loved it I felt like I was sitting down with him comfortable even when the subject wasn't. I'd love to see this book be required reading in schools as an opener to systemic racism.
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LibraryThing member bookworm12
Absolutely read this one. It's not Acho's job to explain racism to Americans, but I'm so grateful he was willing to tackle some of these tough topics.

"Everyone, and I mean everyone, has biases. It’s the job of empathetic and considerate people not to let them dictate actions that harm
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others.”
“Do good work, but don’t make the mistake of caring more about your intentions than about the impact of your intentions, or seeking out gratitude or praise. Make sure you aren’t engaged in optical allyship—the kind that goes only so far as it takes to get the right post for social media. True allyship is a commitment to fight this fight for the long haul."

“White privilege is about the word white, not rich. It's having advantage built into your life. It's not saying your life hasn't been hard; it's saying your skin color hasn't contributed to the difficulty in your life.”
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Awards

Audie Award (Finalist — 2022)
Nautilus Book Award (Gold Winner — 2020)

Physical description

256 p.; 8.6 inches

ISBN

1250800463 / 9781250800466
Page: 3.2005 seconds