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Whites

On Race and Other Falsehoods

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Whites

By: Otegha Uwagba
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‘An important, timely personal essay’ OBSERVER BEST BOOKS OF 2020

‘Not taking any bullshit…sharp and stylish…brutal’ GUARDIAN BOOK OF THE YEAR

In this powerful and timely personal essay, best-selling author Otegha Uwagba reflects on racism, whiteness, and the mental labour required of Black people to navigate the two.

Presented as a record of Uwagba’s observations on this era-defining moment in history – that is, George Floyd’s brutal murder and the subsequent protests and scrutiny of institutional racism – Whites explores the colossal burden of whiteness, as told by someone who is in her own words, ‘a reluctant expert’.

What is it like to endure both racism and white efforts at anti-racism, sometimes from the very same people? How do Black people navigate the gap between what they know to be true, and the version of events that white society can bring itself to tolerate? What does true allyship actually look like – and is it even possible?

Addressing complex interracial dynamics and longstanding tensions with characteristically unflinching honesty, Uwagba deftly interrogates the status quo, and in doing so provides an intimate and deeply compelling portrayal of an unavoidable facet of the Black experience.

 Anthropology Racism & Discrimination Social Sciences Discrimination Social justice
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Critic reviews

Praise for Whites:
‘A searing text from a writer who takes no prisoners’ THE GUARDIAN
‘An eloquent, heartfelt mini-memoir. Otegha Uwagba examines the subtle ways in which fighting racism is hampered not only by those who are obviously racist, but more perniciously by those who believe themselves to be anti-racist.’ Angela Saini, author of Inferior and Superior
‘Clear-sighted, compelling and very, very necessary’ Michael Donkor, author of Hold
"Devoured this. Sharp, pointed, clear and brutal stuff." Nikesh Shukla, editor of The Good Immigrant
Praise for Little Black Book:
‘A must-read for anyone looking to be as prolific as Uwagba herself’ Sunday Times
‘Otegha Uwagba is one of London's new generation of female CEOs’ Evening Standard
‘Otegha Uwagba has the answer to all your creative career challenges…this book is a must-read guide for all creative women looking to navigate the world of work’ Elle
‘Avoids all the clichés of the “self-help” genre’ Dazed
There’s no fluff in here, it’s all solid gold – recommend 100%’ Emma Gannon, author of book and podcast CTRL-ALT-DELETE
‘All you lot should get your hands on this. Currently on my way to do a speech and shitting myself,
but Chapter 4 on public speaking is allowing me to breathe’ Charlie Cuff, gal-dem
‘If, like me, you love talking and thinking about your career – and hope to constantly evolve it – this one is for you’ Natasha Lunn, Red Magazine
‘Buy this BRILLIANT book (especially if you’re a woman in the creative industries, but basically buy it if you’re anyone)’ Elizabeth Day, author of How To Fail
All stars
Most relevant
I enjoyed it...
However - if you’re “white” I don’t think you’ll feel comfortable listening to this.
Oh well - deal with it!

Facts

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A timely, personal essay about whiteness and racism, or whiteness/racism (are they synonymous? - ripe point for academic discussion), that specifically takes into account 2020 and the effect the pandemic has had over the popularisation of anti-racist sentiment (education, protests, discussion, social media).

An interesting analysis of white privilege, with a couple of striking points about allyship: the kind of questions we’re too scared to ask ourselves and have therefore (probably) not even thought of. The parts about racism in Britain are crucial bits of information that need to be heard; there’s still an element of shock when the word racism/racist is said, shock that often shuts down a needed conversation. There’s a danger when we become convinced we couldn’t possibly be racist.

I found the part-memoir/opinion side of this engaging, and, perhaps because it was audio, it felt like a talk or a reading I could have gone to see. The author read was important for me in a similar way, it felt intimate and immersive.

Excellent, Timely Essay

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This accurate, brutally honest essay felt like therapy to me. I felt it all. Thank you for taking the time to write this. Relatable from the first minute to the last word.

A poignant summary of 2020 through our eyes

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On point, despite being uncomfortable in part due to it’s honesty. Otegha sums up the daily grind of inhabiting black skin quite concisely.

A totally compelling read

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I suspect that this will be very painful listening for some. Yet this is a much needed truth. I love the action points at the end. I hope more people take them up.

True

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