The Racial Code: Tales of Resistance and Survival

by Nicola Rollock

1st edn 1st printing. 8vo. Original black lettered maroon cloth (Fine), dustwrapper (Fine, not price clipped). Pp. ix + 258 (no inscriptions).

Genres: Nonfiction, Race, Sociology

272 pages, Hardcover

First published October 6, 2022

Reviews

[Helene · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 rounded down. I am a white teacher who works with students from a range of backgrounds, living in London. Technically I'm a migrant (from France) but I've suffered pretty much zero discrimination on that basis, unlike my fiancé and many friends, colleagues and students who are not white. I've always been interested in racial justice, and in the past few years I've been reading extensively about anti-racism. I also read a lot of fiction written by Black women - I recommend you check out #20booksbyblackwomen

The Racial Code: Takes of Resistance and Survival by Professor Nicola Rollock. This is the ideal read for people who don't read much non-fiction, as it is a mix of non-fiction and satire - several short stories based on real life issues and experiences. We follow various individuals dealing with microaggressions and the racism (sometimes blatant, sometimes covert, but insidious nonetheless) of institutions and people within them. There is a plethora of footnotes referring to studies.

I don't think I can make this book justice in a short caption - I have posted some of my favourite extracts on Instagram. I definitely recommend it.

Thank you @penguinukbooks and @profnicolarollock for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Sacha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow - as a black woman living in the UK, I recognise many of the scenarios in this book. This book articulates the construction and maintenance of racism and white power structures in ways I could not (yet) manage. Not to mention the effort it takes to navigate anti black racism in the UK. Very valuable book. A must read.

[Collette · Rating 4 out of 5]

An academic account of Race, Racism, and how it feels to be Black in the modern world. Academic writings interspersed with tales of racial micro-aggressions, every racism, and systemic bias: " White people can afford not to be awake, they can choose not to see, they can close their ears. Such luxuries are not available to people of colour".... Read it! (and please don't touch our hair!)

[Emilie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rollock examines the different ways that Black people must alter their behaviour to function within the expectations of a white supremacist society. It opened my eyes to the ways in which Black communities have an unspoken code on how to act when surrounded by White people and how, despite this, Black people in the workplace are disproportionately held back by managers and discriminated against, leading to huge underrepresentation in positions of leadership. The fact that the intellect and ability of so many incredible Black people goes unnoticed is honestly horrible and completely unjust.
I also found Rollock's sections on performative activism get in the way of true progress. I will take heed of her advice by actively listening to Black voices about racism and allowing for them to be the loudest. Being an ally will require action but by becoming increasingly aware about the small microaggressions that Black people have to tiptoe around, I can try to become a more welcoming presence, whatever that means for the individual.

[Carmijn Gerritsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interweaving factual information with narrative elements, Rollock reveals the intricacies of 'the racial code' in the hostile British socio-political landscape. She investigates matters of racial injustice, institutional racism and the burden of representation in professional contexts. As such, this is a very accessible and lyrical introduction into race-related discussions across contemporary society.

[Viviana Rizzo · Rating 5 out of 5]

🇬🇧
(⏬Recensione in italiano in fondo ⏬)
**Thank you Allen Lane and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book**

Racism settles in every speech, every gesture, every choice; it’s violence being a system and is the most rooted process of eurification, where the skin colour becomes the definition of a role socially recognised to which individualities are bonded to and they are delineated within the parameters imposed by the social system, or better, imposed by the power, i.e. the white people (or people racialises as white, in the author’s terms). Because white people are racist, because they keep and make the power in a forma that discriminates and objectifies people racialised as Black. Racism must be fought, topped, and discussed, without mincing words, without being afraid to make the perpetrators shake, to point out, to recognise the “sinner”.
“The Racial Code” is a guide for anyone who wants to understand these complex dynamics and is seeking answers on how to behave in world that doesn’t want to recognise its own evilness, is a gaze deeply towards and creatively on a painful reality. It’s urgent, precious, necessary. Brave. And Nicole Rollock is an amazing author and a brilliant researches, and this non-fiction book is the proof.
Through short stories and plays, explorative texts and articles, Rollock examines and analyses racism, collecting experiences very much different from each others, opposing opinions from the voices of very week delineated and vivid characters, including a wide range of approaches to racism and how this one is shown and what are the thousand races of discrimination. Who pretend to be humble and sympathetic, who are not afraid to express their hate, who believes they know more about racism than those who are subjected to it everyday. In firms, private clubs, Christmas parties, schools, cultural circles, in the streets, among colleagues, partners, friends, strangers. Fake diversity and inclusion policies, failing projects, fallacious beliefs, a discriminating white feminism. White women and men who perpetrated a certain kind of power relations which excludes people racialised as Black, trying to maintain the status quo. But if we really want to face racism and reversing trends, we white people must be humble and honest with ourselves, to recognise our privilege and supremacy, and make choice and build even radical policies to get tangible results, aiming to a deep transformation of the current state of art.
Many people, I think, can identify themselves in the testimonies of “Racial Code” characters, and many white people can consider it a guide to fathom what really is racism, and the evil produced. As a young white Italian woman, I can only thank the author for the opportunity to learn, because this is what we should as allies, as people who consider themselves anti-racist: listen and learn as much as possible, recognising and accepting own limits and cognitive biases, and believe the witnesses.

🇮🇹
Il razzismo si annida in ogni discorso, in ogni gesto, in ogni scelta; è violenza che si fa sistema ed è il più radicato processo di eurificazione, laddove io colore della pelle diventa definizione di un ruolo riconosciuto socialmente al quale le individualità sono legate e limitate entro i parametri che il sistema sociale impone, o meglio il potere impone, cioè le persone bianche. Perché le persone bianche sono razziste, poiché detengono e preparano il potere in un forma che discrimina e oggettivizza le persone razzializzate. Il razzismo va combattuto, battuto, e dibattuto, senza peli sulla lingua, senza aver timore di far fremere i colpevoli, senza aver paura di puntare il dito, riconoscere i “peccatori”.
“The Racial Code” è una guida per chiunque voglia comprendere queste dinamiche complesse o cerca delle risposte su come agire in un mondo che non vuole riconoscere il proprio male, è uno sguardo profondo e creativo su una realtà dolorosa. È un libro urgente, prezioso, necessario. Coraggioso. E Nicole Rollock è una fantastica autrice e una brillante ricercatrice, e questa saggio ne è la prova.
Attraverso racconti, breve opere teatrali, testi esplicativi e articoli, Rollock indaga e analizza il razzismo, raccogliendo esperienze spesso molto diverse tra loro, opinioni anche contrastanti dalle voci di personaggi ben delineati e vividi, includendo una vasta gamma di approcci nei confronti del razzismo e come questo si manifesta e quali sono i mille volti della discriminazione. Chi si finge umile e comprensivo, chi non teme di esprimere il proprio odio, chi crede di saperne di più sul razzismo rispetto a chi lo subisce ogni giorno. Nelle aziende, nei club privati, nei party natalizi, a scuola, nei centri culturali, in strada, tra colleghi, partner, amici, sconosciuti. Politiche sulla diversità e inclusione che fingono di esserlo, progetti fallimentari, credenze fallaci, un femminismo bianco che esclude. Uomini e donne bianchi che perpetrano un tipo di relazioni di potere che esclude le persone razzializzate, cercando di mantenere lo status quo. Ma se si vuole veramente affrontare il razzismo e invertire le tendenze, bisogna essere umili e onesti con se stessi, riconoscere il privilegio e la supremazia dei bianchi, e fare scelte e costruire politiche anche radicali, per ottenere risultati concreti, mirando a una profonda trasformazione dell’attuale stato delle cose.
Tante persone, credo, potranno riconoscersi nelle testimonianze dei personaggi di “Racial Code”, e molte persone bianche possono considerarlo una guida per comprendere cosa è veramente il razzismo, e il male che produce. Da donna bianca e italiana, posso solo ringraziare per l’opportunità di poter imparare, perché questo dovremmo fare se veramente ci consideriamo anti-razzisti: ascoltare e imparare il più possibile, con umiltà, riconoscendo i propri limiti e bias cognitivi. E credere alle testimonianze.

[O* · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was in interesting and well-written book (no typos or grammatical errors found, uncommon in books nowadays). Rollock is clearly very knowledgeable and shares her knowledge, in a mainly good and interesting way. I found this book easier to read, relate to and take in than other recent books about race (Why I don't talk to white people..., for example). Some of the examples are clear and much easier to 'understand' than the vaguer references I've seen in other books. The fact that it is a book based in and on British examples makes it feel more relevant to me than White Fragility, for example. the class perspective added also feels very relevant.

Some examples relating to inclusivity feel relevant to many white people, such as a question from the audience Rollick got from a white man who asked what to say when his black colleagues asked if he wanted to go from a drink. He didn't drink, and didn't want to go, but didn't want to cause offence. Examples like that are highly relevant to everyone.

That said, some sections feel a little long-winded and I think they'd have benefited from harsher editing. Some examples feel a bit too coarsely drafted to make complete sense to me, some still feel a bit 'six of this and half a dozen of another' - they don't make me think 'yes, this is clearly racist/discriminatory - but no doubt people might think I am a white person who doesn't understand, since I make this comment.

I struggle with the notion that 'any white person who doesn't agree completely is either racist or hasn't fully understood'. This notion is not as strong in this book as in other books on this theme, but there is still an undercurrent. I would like to discuss some of this, but, again, being white, I don't really 'dare', for fear of being seen as racist, or for being told 'it is not my job to tell you anything'. This is a pity, although I completely understand that not every situation is conducive to such a situation (an online discussion on race that people partake in voluntarily, less so).

(I hasten to add that I have read several articles by notable black people who also don't agree with some of the stronger viewpoints put forward on this theme.)

Recommended, try another chapter if you get stuck on one - they are a bit up and down.

[GlenS · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book offers an elegant way to explain the microaggressions that people of colour, but black people, specifically, receive even from white people who loudly protest "..they would never..."

These essays are written intelligentially and without anger, but they do not sugarcoat the current prejudices that are still enacted in places of employment, in the legal system, within medical care and in political arenas.

With quotes like, "White people can afford not to be awake. They can choose not to see. They can choose to close their eyes.
Such luxuries are not available for people of colour." I can not do justice to this book.

I understand that a certain percentage of individuals will choose not to engage with this book or enter into a space of making change. I also acknowledge that not all of these people will be white. What they will be, I'm assuming, is comfortable with the treatment 'others' receive, as long as it doesn't interfere with or impact the lifestyle they are choosing.

#TheRacialCode should be included in university libraries and the curriculum reading lists of Black studies degrees.

I want to thank @NicolaRollock for the courage and the tears (assumed) it took to write this book. I would also like to thank #PenguinPress and #NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC copy in exchange for my honest review. This book is due for release on October 06, 2022.

5.0/5.0 #PenguinPress #NetGalley

[Amy Dora · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley, the publishers and of course the author for gifting me this advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

A very important book that should be read by all to educate on the different racism that is received by predominantly non white people. As a white english women married to a nigerian husband with 2 beautiful daughters, I have witnessed my partner receive some horrific and unnecessary and unprovoked racism first hand which upsets and angers me. I am now having to navigate and educate myself and also at some point sadly, our daughters, on the ways they might be treated differently whilst also maintaining that they ALWAYS know that they are never any less, or any better, than anybody else, based on the colour of their skin or their culture, or any other reason. That they are beautiful humans inside and out and that there will be some/many people out there that will at some point have some negative judgement to pass.

Growing up in a predominently white area I saw a lot of ignorance and 'subtle' racist slurs that would come out, and the worst thing is that a lot of the time people were ignorant to the things they were saying or how it would effect other people, because of the way society has enabled white supremacy.

I wish a book like this could be read in schools as part of the curriculum.

Thank you very much for providing me with this copy and for the education I have also received. I will be purchasing a copy as well.

[Lady Fancifull · Rating 3 out of 5]

What would a fair, equal society without inherent racial bias be like?

I cannot say I am NOT racist, because, as a white woman who has grown up in a country and a culture which assumed not only the superiority of itself but the superiority of white races – whether consciously, or unconsciously – I am not the one who can claim ‘not being racist’ for myself. None of us step easily outside our own inherent cultural background.

So………….I read books like this because I want to understand where my prejudice may be unconsciously held. What is consciously seen – or brought to light, can then be recognised and worked with. I know what I know, but can’t know what I don’t know until I know it, as it were.

Rollock’s book is a mixture of quantitative and qualitative, statistics, and personal stories, illustrating the academic insights, but though the stories are real, they are often amalgamations of several stories illustrating what is expressed in the academic, from the outside, observations

Personally, I am someone who learns a lot from fiction, so reading black writers of fiction has probably hit home more for me, than this particular approach, or reading individual stories told by the person who is living that life, individual biographies

[Aurora · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who knows more about the history and dynamics of race in the US, I originally picked up The Racial Code to further my education (and personal growth) about racism in the UK, and I was blown away by how much it had to offer.

The book covers numerous topics including microaggressions, racialization, intersectionality, and the work needed to be an ally and an anti-racist. Each chapter combines academic research with fictionalized accounts of the subject matter, illustrating its points and providing an opportunity to reflect: Where do I see myself in this story? Where do I feel discomfort, and why? When have I seen something like this play out in my own life? How could I be an ally if I were in the room? (Rollock explicitly invites you to ask these and other questions as you read.)

My sibling and I read it together and had weekly discussions about each chapter over the course of several months, and I highly recommend giving yourself that kind of time (and, if possible, one or more thoughtful reading partners) for careful reading and reflection.

Read on Five Sentence Reviews

[Kate Southey · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely fantastic book and an absolute MUST read for white people. This book will be valuable to anyone but it was particularly nice to have a book on racism that is from a mainly British perspective as so much of the good writing on the subject is very USA centric.
Rollock’s decision to stage the book as a series of fictional scenarios with context and commentary in between is nothing short of inspired and it made the book read so easily while (I think) still imparting the same required knowledge as a weighty tome that one may stop reading in order to pick up a piece of fiction.
I only this year began my journey to becoming an active anti-racist and to authors like Nicola Rollock I am incredibly grateful.
If anyone after reading this review and then Rollock’s book want to immerse themselves more in anti racism and dismantling the systems of white supremacy then I recommend the TikTok app immensely, many black creators are giving up their time and labour there to educate us.

[Helen Pickett · Rating 3 out of 5]

I requested this book as I consider myself as ally. Having read the book, I find it difficult to comment constructively being white. I feel that I am no longer to have entitled to an opinion. I feel quite alienated. Black people may think 'welcome to my world' but I'm not sure that this will ever help to improve things.
I'm all for fighting racial injustice and reading some stories in this book are horribly racist. Some stories I can empathise and are clearly racist some are covert. Some are described as subconscious which makes me wonder how this can ever be corrected if the individual doesn't know what they are doing.
Some experiences I have had myself as a white woman and wonder if this is classism. misogyny or racism.
I will continue to try and educate myself and continue being the best person i can be to fight injustice,

It is an interesting book set from the British perspective rather than American.

With thanks to #NetGalley #TheRacialCode Penguin Press UK,-Allen Lane, Particular, Pelican, Penguin Clasics.

[Jenn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can see how this is a great book, but the style of it didn't suit me I'm afraid. I was interested in the real life examples, but a lot of the explanations went over my head. I do think it's a great read for the right person and I gope it does really well, and I will try with another book on the same topic. Thanks for letting me read it.

[Eala · Rating 1 out of 5]

A very well researched book, but ultimately not for me. Firstly it was too academic and secondly I think there's enough about race out there in the media, day in day out. Reading this just felt too much like being lectured for something over which I have no control. My sincere thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance copy in exchange for an honest unbiased review.

[Uzoamaka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whether its on the subject of race or gender, women don't have an advantage. Nicola Rollock draws on some real life examples to make the point that everyday racism exists and we ought to be aware though there's no rule of life / Babylon that'll make you avoid facing it - whether it presents itself as micro-aggression, perceived ally-ship or inclusion.

[Achidimama · Rating 5 out of 5]

THIS WAS SO GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I like the style and the way she invites the reader to empathise.

I hope people are able to do the work as they read and learn.

I nodded throughout.

I hope she writes more!

[Jemelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am very late to the party. This book was a gift from a friend. Every page has me in awe! Honestly; thank you.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stories and experiences are shared to give an insight into what it is to be faced with racism daily either directly and upfront or through microaggressions. I'm reading to learn as much as I can to be an ally as a white female getting more familiar with privilege and how this manifests from different people with different levels of privilege and how this then becomes racism.

[Tutankhamun18 · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW. This was not what I was expecting from the cover or the blurb but it was FANTASTIC. In this book we learn about systemic racism, microaggressions, exclusionary white feminism and other everyday racisms that “not racist” white people commit. The format for this is a short story or rather a ficitional scenario that is rendered with emotion and character depth with facts, figures and explanations thrown in to educate the reader and help make sense of what is happening in this story.

As the author says at some point (I did not note when): These narratives reveal the casual, persuasive nature of such eberyday racism and aim to lay bare the microcalculations, the effort, emotional load and fortitude required to navigate in a society shaped by race and racism.”

• “ because of the dominant norms of whiteness, whites are free to see themselves as individuals rather than members of a culture. Individualism in turn becomes part of white resistance toperceiving whiteness.”
• “Racism becomes what white people want it to be and what they are willing to conceed and what they can tolerate.”
• “Racism is not static or fixed. It is shaped by social mores, activism and changes to legislation… We have become adept at supressing and reformulating explicit views about racism and racial difference into that which is more ambiguous, less easily defined”