Layla Saad

This is a deeply challenging book that walks the committed reader through a rigorous self-inventory of personal biases, stereotypes, and internalized racist messages. Moreover, it helps bring in the behemoth of white supremacy into focus. As a creature born into and steeped in whiteness, it can be difficult to clearly see and identify. It can be even harder to own the native advantages afforded to those who are white or white passing. This book is patient, but clear and unwavering. It is show more also a first step on a lifelong journey of education.

This book was designed to be read and completed in 28 days but it took me nearly a year to finish. There are many reasons for that, but the first was that this is not easy subject matter and it's easy to become discouraged. In the end, I found it extremely illuminating and I hope I can honor the author's work by continuing to do my own. show less

Me and White Supremacy by Layla F. Saad is an essential step on your journey to becoming anti-racist. I dare say it is the first step you should take. Ms. Saad’s approach toward confronting white supremacy and ingrained racism is most powerful if you have not done any previous anti-racism work. That being said, the journey Ms. Saad lays out is vital for everyone everywhere, regardless of gender identity, creed, ethnicity, skin color, and every other way we categorize ourselves.

Ms. Saad’s show more general attitude in Me and White Supremacy is that everyone is guilty of supporting white supremacy. She does not consider those who have already confronted their prejudices, nor does she care what color your skin is. She has separate instructions for white people, people of color, and people of color who are light-skinned or may pass as white. That is the only distinction she makes as she guides readers.

Ms. Saad’s attitude, that we are all guilty of condoning and supporting white supremacy, may be offputting for some readers. Honestly, I struggled to accept this attitude at first because there is no space within Ms. Saad’s instructions for those who have already started confronting their inner demons and who have started to do the work. After all, I can’t be as bad as someone who hasn’t done any introspection on this topic, right? I shouldn’t have to do the same work they do. But the simplicity of Me and White Supremacy is that we all have to do the work regardless of who we are when we come to Ms. Saad’s guidance. No matter how enlightened you might be, there is always work we need to do. White supremacy is as systemic as democracy in the United States; to combat it, you must be conscious of this fact and remain vigilant against falling back into a way of thinking that is so acceptable.

Another unique touch Ms. Saad brings to Me and White Supremacy is the lack of focus on white supremacy in the United States. Instead, Ms. Saad puts forth examples of white supremacy around the globe, showing that racism is rampant worldwide, even in places you would not consider. By positioning white supremacy as a global issue, she eliminates some of the standard, geocentric false narratives people tell themselves when trying to convince themselves, or others, that they are not racist. Also, it is refreshing to read an anti-racism book that does not limit itself to racism in the United States only. The U.S. is no longer the leading global superpower, no matter how many Americans may wish it were still valid, and it is time we expand our scope beyond our borders.

Set to last 28 days, Me and White Supremacy and Ms. Saad break each day of reflection into smaller chunks. Some of the topics you must reflect on are upsetting, and the emotional and mental toll they can take each day can be significant. Ms. Saad also does this because it ensures that no aspect of white supremacy goes unreflected along the journey. The important thing is to do the work and write down your answers to the journal prompts. Take it seriously and work through each scenario she presents. When you do that, no matter how wrenching the topic or disturbing you find your answers, you will make good progress on becoming an anti-racist.

As the narrator, Ms. Saad’s voice is pleasant to listen to. Her diction is crisp, and her words are clear. I found her voice a little too soothing and was glad each chapter is relatively short, as I know she could easily lull me to sleep with a little more time. I also believe her demeanor throughout the audiobook is uncompromising. She doesn’t hesitate to state hard truths, nor does she equivocate or try to ease her message. Her unapologetic messaging within the workbook and the strict demeanor she maintains while narrating can be a bit overwhelming. The trick is to remember that Ms. Saad is not here to judge us but rather to help us become better friends, neighbors, partners, coworkers, parents, siblings, and people.

Me and White Supremacy by Layla F. Saad is not for people who aren’t willing to take the time each day to sit down and reflect on their answers to such topics as white privilege, male privilege, racism against Black women, Black girls, Black boys, and Black men, among others. When you reflect on such topics and write down your answers, your brain makes a connection that you will be less likely to forget. This means that the next time you run into such a situation, you are less likely to respond in a racist manner or a manner that supports the systemic racism that already exists. I recommend this workbook if you are beginning to learn what it means to be anti-racist or practice good allyship. People who have already started that journey can still learn a lot about themselves, too, and therefore should not be quick to ignore this powerful workbook. We owe it to future generations to make the world a better place for them, which means confronting and breaking down white supremacy wherever it exists. show less

I am a liberal white woman who absolutely believes that everyone should have equal rights and that no race or gender is better or should have more privilege than any other. But working through this book revealed some uncomfortable places that I still have white supremacy embedded in my consciousness. Author Saad takes a tough love approach to her topic: acknowledging that this work can be very painful and unsettling for white people, but reminding us time and again that whatever pain we show more experience is far, far less than the pain people of color experience being oppressed by white supremacy.

You can work through this book on your own, but I think it would be even more valuable to work through in a group so you can share and discuss the issues and your own thoughts and experiences - and Saad includes specific guidelines for this at the end. show less

There is no hiding here. I love love love Layla Saad because she did not let me passively read about racism for one second. It took me two months to read because I wanted to be deliberate about doing the journal prompts to the fullest and best of my ability--it was worth every moment, and I am so glad I have this resource to return to throughout my life to keep peeling back the layers. Saad asks readers to get so granular in picking apart their complicity and (for me at least) it is enough show more of a sustained practice of doing so that I just can't imagine anyone getting to the end of this book not seeing at least something in their life that needs to fundamentally change, if not the whole dang thing. But you've got to do the work, and you've got to hold yourself accountable, and you're not going to get a pat on the back for it.

I could indulge in wishful thinking, hoping that every white person would read this and do the work, but that is unrealistic. However, I wholeheartedly recommend this book to those who are ready to sit down, be brutally honest with themselves, and start making changes on both personal and systemic levels. For a longer (video) review, check out Danika at The Lesbrary's Book Riot review. show less