genre: non-fiction, anti-racism
In this book, Layla Saad lays in front of you a challenge: to truly listen to truth regarding the depths of white supremacy in this world today and then to look INSIDE and to get to work dismantling it. I read this book over many weeks, taking time at the end of each section to respond to some of the journaling prompts that Layla lays out. It is designed to be a truly interactive and introspective experience. Layla expects that those we are ready to do this work need to be told how to do it correctly - so not only do we learn about what white supremacy is in a larger context but also all the ways in which white people TRY to be antiracist and make things worse.
I learned a LOT. New vocabulary, new ideas, I spent time in my own experiences and relationships, trying to untangle myself from how I've always looked at the world. I especially appreciate Layla's goal, which she defines at the end - that she wants to be a good ancestor - and that she wants US, her white readers who are truly committed to antiracism work - to be good ancestors too.
Yes, it's uncomfortable. That's a part of the work. It's a little bit repetitive but I think that's also the result of how the book is set up - it's truly designed to be read over a 28 day period while you work through the prompts. I HIGHLY recommend this resource to white people who want to truly start looking at their own relationship with racism and white supremacy.
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