My Little Black Book: A Blacktionary: The pocket guide to the language of race

by Maggie Semple, Jane Oremosu

Through their work with organisations and companies across the world, Maggie Semple and Jane Oremosu found that there was a need to help people as they discussed difference, race and inclusion. My Little Black A Blacktionary aims to do just that.

This A-Z pocket guide is for people who are entering the workplace and finding their identity, for leaders and managers who feel overwhelmed by ever-evolving definitions and phrases, for anyone who is afraid of saying the wrong thing and being judged. From explaining what microagressions are and their impact, to helping you understand what cultural appreciation is and how it's different to cultural appropriation, this book will break down barriers to engaging in conversations on race.

Drawing together the best definitions as well as useful advice and tips, My Little Black A Blacktionary is an essential tool to broaden your knowledge and live and work better with others.

Genres: Nonfiction

146 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 5, 2023

Reviews

[Laura Duffy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really interesting and informative read! There were many terms and phrases I have never heard of that I was introduced to in this book. One of the most useful parts of the books were the list of suggested actions under some of the entries which challenged me to think about and change my behaviour. It was really easy to dip in and out of the book. I would really recommend everyone to read this as you would definetly take something away from it.

[Frank Brondon · Rating 3 out of 5]

“My little black book” offers an analysis of different terms related to race (on blackness more specifically). By mixing general and broad terms with more specific and contemporary ones , it provides examples and guides on how to react or to approach challenging situations involving race (usually in a work environment) alongside the genesis of many of the terms it mentions.
I liked how it made me understand different situations related to race and question my own possible biases although the intended audience of this book is obviously ppl unfamiliar with racial discrimination. What I liked less was the too upfront HR approach of the book ( which was intended by the writers obviously) but within its context its a solid choice ; more essays/guides like these are definitely necessary for us.

[J Tele · Rating 5 out of 5]

"My Little Black Book: A Blacktionary" by Jane Oremosu and Dr. Maggie Semple, OBE, is a compact guide to understanding the language of race. It was created to assist organizations and individuals in navigating discussions about race. This pocket-sized resource provides definitions, historical context, and actionable insights on topics such as bias, belonging, and Black Lives Matter. It encourages readers to engage in conversations about race and serves as a valuable tool for fostering understanding and change. With its concise format, it's an essential read for those committed to promoting inclusivity and meaningful dialogue on race.

[Kira K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoughts:
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This is a great book that I think maybe everyone should read at least once. It is important for people to actively educate themselves rather than relying on the minority groups to educate us and this book is full of information to make a great start.

Favourite Quote:
"Making a conscious decision to raise awareness of our internal and external narrative allows us to be deliberate in the way we communicate, be it with words or through our behaviour."

[CJ Opal · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an excellent resource for anyone! I've loved Maggie Semple and The Semple Edit since I was in college, so I was excited to jump into this book. It is based mostly on terms most popular in the UK, so some phrases were a little different than how they're used in the US. Each entry comes with a small history, definition, and some common uses. A few entries are much older than I thought they were, and it's incredible to see how far back they go, side by side with the newer terms that show how our language regarding race is changing.

[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.

I think this book is wonderful and definitely a book that is able to break down the barriers for people wanting to explore and understand topics surrounding race. Definitely a valuable tool that all workplaces should have.

[Celia Shohet · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic book, helping my understanding of racism and how to talk about race

[Rachel]

[Listened as an ALC from Libro.fm]

A fantastic and informative pocket dictionary. Should be required reading for any workplace DEI lesson. Lovely narration by both authors.