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Stand Up and Speak Out Against Racism
In this vital and accessible survey, a prominent activist for racial justice answers questions from real children, giving them the tools and the confidence to shape a more just society.
Using questions canvassed from children around the United Kingdom as her framework, writer, activist, engineer, and broadcaster Yassmin Abdel-Magied provides a clear overview of racism’s history, what it looks like today, and how to recognize, resist, and disrupt racist conversations and attitudes that can appear anywhere. This book is a practical guide for taking actionable steps, but it acknowledges that talking about racism invites complex feelings and offers tips and tactics for expressing those emotions safely, stepping back when needed, and prioritizing self-care. The book’s warm and assured tone, friendly illustrations, and supplementary charts, sidebars, infographics, and glossary offer an authentic way to open a dialogue with middle-grade readers, providing an eloquent call to nurture compassion and change, challenge inequality, and strive toward racial justice for all.
Using questions canvassed from children around the United Kingdom as her framework, writer, activist, engineer, and broadcaster Yassmin Abdel-Magied provides a clear overview of racism’s history, what it looks like today, and how to recognize, resist, and disrupt racist conversations and attitudes that can appear anywhere. This book is a practical guide for taking actionable steps, but it acknowledges that talking about racism invites complex feelings and offers tips and tactics for expressing those emotions safely, stepping back when needed, and prioritizing self-care. The book’s warm and assured tone, friendly illustrations, and supplementary charts, sidebars, infographics, and glossary offer an authentic way to open a dialogue with middle-grade readers, providing an eloquent call to nurture compassion and change, challenge inequality, and strive toward racial justice for all.
128 pages, Paperback
First published September 5, 2023
1 person is currently reading
57 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
August 20, 2023
What I like the most about this book is that it's based upon the questions that young people are actually asking about race and racism. It's not about unconscious bias, racism, inequality or unfairness just out of the blue. It's what young people are really asking now - and that's the kind of progress we want to, and need to, be seeing.
It was eye opening though. Young people are asking good questions it seems, better questions than I know I did when I was young. There were sections about systemic racism, institutional racism, and perhaps most refreshingly going back to the basics of the language we use - what is the difference between race, nationality and ethnicity? I guarantee we use these terms interchangeably, incorrectly, more often than we care to admit. Or, why is it suddenly awkward or weird when racism is even mentioned? I liked the approach a lot.
It's also engaging. It's bold, colourful and asks a lot of questions of you as the reader. It says " this is what things look like" and "what are you going to do about it?". A great starting point for conversations with young readers, but actually a nice refresher for adult readers as well.
What was missing? I wish we could have seen more of the original questions which started these conversation topics - you can see this roughly, but there isn't ever a set question to see where the thinking was coming from. I wish we could have seen the questions young people are genuinely asking and see some of the thought processes, because that makes it easier to get to the core of the problem and start thinking of feasible solutions to changing the narrative. But, it's a great starting point and I enjoyed reading it nonetheless.
ARC provided from the publishers in exchange for an honest review.
It was eye opening though. Young people are asking good questions it seems, better questions than I know I did when I was young. There were sections about systemic racism, institutional racism, and perhaps most refreshingly going back to the basics of the language we use - what is the difference between race, nationality and ethnicity? I guarantee we use these terms interchangeably, incorrectly, more often than we care to admit. Or, why is it suddenly awkward or weird when racism is even mentioned? I liked the approach a lot.
It's also engaging. It's bold, colourful and asks a lot of questions of you as the reader. It says " this is what things look like" and "what are you going to do about it?". A great starting point for conversations with young readers, but actually a nice refresher for adult readers as well.
What was missing? I wish we could have seen more of the original questions which started these conversation topics - you can see this roughly, but there isn't ever a set question to see where the thinking was coming from. I wish we could have seen the questions young people are genuinely asking and see some of the thought processes, because that makes it easier to get to the core of the problem and start thinking of feasible solutions to changing the narrative. But, it's a great starting point and I enjoyed reading it nonetheless.
ARC provided from the publishers in exchange for an honest review.
January 17, 2024
i thought this was a very informative book - like i said, not aimed at my age group but the presentation was very sweet! of course, the content covered inside was not always cute but i did genuinely learn things. i think the author did a good job and i liked the mountain analogy. would definitely recommend to children aged 7-11 maybe?
3 star rating simply because although i enjoyed reading it, it was too childishly presented for me, but the content covered was explained well :)
3 star rating simply because although i enjoyed reading it, it was too childishly presented for me, but the content covered was explained well :)
July 3, 2023
4.5
The very first page of this practical Muslim authored, visible Muslim featured, how-to book draws you in with the author's conversational tone and approach. She presents life as being a mountain we all are born to climb and articulates that we are all given different tools to do so. The book sets out to understand how race and racism affect the climb, how we can make it more fair, and uses questions from kids in the UK as the general organization of the 128 page book for middle grade readers and up. As a Black Sudanese born, Australian raised, immigrant London woman who speaks Arabic, is Muslim, has authored five books, is an engineer and social justice advocate, she acknowledges privilege, and injects plenty of InshaAllahs, Alhumdulillahs, and global perspective to racism, its history, and what we can do to stand up and speak out about it. I do wish the book was sourced, but the first person perspective, and her own intersectional identities, carry confidence and OWN voice power in making the world a better place for all.
SYNOPSIS:
The book starts with a section about how racism started, then moves into what racism looks like today and how it shows up and affects us all. It then concludes with a focus on the action of standing up and speaking up. The book spends time reassuring the reader that the contents might create strong emotions and to breathe acknowledge your feelings and find a safe way to express them. Chapter 6 discusses religions, even though the book is about race and says it does so because it is the same social construct of grouping a very diverse group together because of something "other" that they share. It spends time on anti-Semitism, and Islamophobia. The book doesn't have to be read cover to cover, it can be read in sections, in any order, there is also a glossary and index at the back to find particular topics to look at.
WHY I LIKE IT:
As an American, I love that the book is global in focus and shows the effects of colonization and attitudes, and thus realities. I also like that it takes time to discuss internalized racism, as well as interpersonal, institutionalized, and systemic. Pointing out schools and how many of your teachers or principals look like you, really drives the points home. I love that there is a whole page on hijab and truly that you see the author regularly bringing in Islam to the conversation which is great. The action steps of what to do if you see racism, what to do if it is aimed at you, are well presented in metaphors that are easy for kids to see why the course of action suggested is doable, logical, and important. It doesn't shy away from acknowledging that pushing back on racism escalates the situation, and encourages individuals to be safe and do what they can. There are pull-out boxes, comic strip scenarios, bolded and bulleted text, and colorful engaging illustrations and infographics that connect with 9 year old and up readers independently or in small groups.
FLAGS:
The book discusses an emotional topic, but I don't think there are any particular flags to be noted for 4th grade and up There are important conversations to be had based on what is shared, but nothing is overly graphic or sensationalized.
TOOLS FOR LEADING THE DISCUSSION:
I think this book would be great to share with students regularly and often. It should be on library and classroom shelves and should be used in small groups, large groups, and one-on-one. The variety of methods that the information are conveyed make a useful tool when concerns arise, and a great reflective piece to encourage children to think deep, better themselves, and be aware at all times about the privilege and effects of their thoughts and actions.
The very first page of this practical Muslim authored, visible Muslim featured, how-to book draws you in with the author's conversational tone and approach. She presents life as being a mountain we all are born to climb and articulates that we are all given different tools to do so. The book sets out to understand how race and racism affect the climb, how we can make it more fair, and uses questions from kids in the UK as the general organization of the 128 page book for middle grade readers and up. As a Black Sudanese born, Australian raised, immigrant London woman who speaks Arabic, is Muslim, has authored five books, is an engineer and social justice advocate, she acknowledges privilege, and injects plenty of InshaAllahs, Alhumdulillahs, and global perspective to racism, its history, and what we can do to stand up and speak out about it. I do wish the book was sourced, but the first person perspective, and her own intersectional identities, carry confidence and OWN voice power in making the world a better place for all.
SYNOPSIS:
The book starts with a section about how racism started, then moves into what racism looks like today and how it shows up and affects us all. It then concludes with a focus on the action of standing up and speaking up. The book spends time reassuring the reader that the contents might create strong emotions and to breathe acknowledge your feelings and find a safe way to express them. Chapter 6 discusses religions, even though the book is about race and says it does so because it is the same social construct of grouping a very diverse group together because of something "other" that they share. It spends time on anti-Semitism, and Islamophobia. The book doesn't have to be read cover to cover, it can be read in sections, in any order, there is also a glossary and index at the back to find particular topics to look at.
WHY I LIKE IT:
As an American, I love that the book is global in focus and shows the effects of colonization and attitudes, and thus realities. I also like that it takes time to discuss internalized racism, as well as interpersonal, institutionalized, and systemic. Pointing out schools and how many of your teachers or principals look like you, really drives the points home. I love that there is a whole page on hijab and truly that you see the author regularly bringing in Islam to the conversation which is great. The action steps of what to do if you see racism, what to do if it is aimed at you, are well presented in metaphors that are easy for kids to see why the course of action suggested is doable, logical, and important. It doesn't shy away from acknowledging that pushing back on racism escalates the situation, and encourages individuals to be safe and do what they can. There are pull-out boxes, comic strip scenarios, bolded and bulleted text, and colorful engaging illustrations and infographics that connect with 9 year old and up readers independently or in small groups.
FLAGS:
The book discusses an emotional topic, but I don't think there are any particular flags to be noted for 4th grade and up There are important conversations to be had based on what is shared, but nothing is overly graphic or sensationalized.
TOOLS FOR LEADING THE DISCUSSION:
I think this book would be great to share with students regularly and often. It should be on library and classroom shelves and should be used in small groups, large groups, and one-on-one. The variety of methods that the information are conveyed make a useful tool when concerns arise, and a great reflective piece to encourage children to think deep, better themselves, and be aware at all times about the privilege and effects of their thoughts and actions.
August 5, 2024
I think this book is great for older kids and young adults. This book is deeply talks about the start, the change, and the evolution of racism over the years. It talks about history of racism and talks about doing something to stop it. The book also talks about personal experiences as of being a woman of color. My only tiny problem is some of the bias and the siding with her religion compared to the others. Obviously this is an autobiography about her not us. Aside from that this is a great book for young audiences.
June 13, 2024
An informative book aimed at children and youth about the history of racism, its affects today, and ways to combat it. Includes a glossary at the back. It includes a few sample stereotypes (eg. Girls like pink), but no slurs. The author, Yassmin Abdel-Magied, is a Black, Sudanese, Arabic speaking, Muslim woman who grew up in Australia, lives in London, and wears a hijab. She is a writer, engineer, and social justice advocate.
January 1, 2024
Bright, bold, and eye-catching books are sure to catch the attention of readers. And why not, especially when their topics are important. Racism is a very important topic for young people to learn more about. There is a lot of misunderstanding around it therefore giving them the confidence to say that they know what the words means; that they know what racism is; that they understand how and have the confidence to challenge it is important. Stand Up and Speak Out Against Racism is Yassmin Abdel-Maged’s essential book for young people, boldly illustrated by Aleesha Nandhra. Accessible to all levels of reader, packed with facts as well as encouragement it will empower and hopefully help to bring about change.
Many people will brush the idea of racism aside, saying that it is an old topic but, stop and speak to young people, as the author has done, and you will learn this is not the case. They know there is still a lot of racism to be dealt with, but they don’t always understand some of the complex topics it embraces. In this book we have a very good, in depth but accessible introduction to how racism started, how it may differ between countries, what the difference is between terms like ‘race,’ ‘nationality,’ ‘ethnicity’; how racism today works and how to both stand up to it and speak out against it. The text has been very cleverly presented in comic strip style, on clipboards, signs and in small but identifiable chunks. Each giving some facts, presenting evidence, and helping readers to understand the ‘how’, the ‘why,’ and the ‘what can I do’ of it all. An ideal book for classrooms everywhere.
Many people will brush the idea of racism aside, saying that it is an old topic but, stop and speak to young people, as the author has done, and you will learn this is not the case. They know there is still a lot of racism to be dealt with, but they don’t always understand some of the complex topics it embraces. In this book we have a very good, in depth but accessible introduction to how racism started, how it may differ between countries, what the difference is between terms like ‘race,’ ‘nationality,’ ‘ethnicity’; how racism today works and how to both stand up to it and speak out against it. The text has been very cleverly presented in comic strip style, on clipboards, signs and in small but identifiable chunks. Each giving some facts, presenting evidence, and helping readers to understand the ‘how’, the ‘why,’ and the ‘what can I do’ of it all. An ideal book for classrooms everywhere.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews