ARC Review: Anti Racist Ally by Sophie Williams

"Death, sex, money, politics - all of these topics are impacted by race, and so they are also areas that we need to get comfortable learning, thinking and talking about in order to be effective allies."

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This book was one of my anticipated non-fiction reads of the last few months of 2020, so I was delighted when Sophie Williams offered me a PDF to review.

Anti Racist Ally is the perfect starting point for anyone wanting to begin their antiracism journey, or anyone at the beginning of said journey. However, I do think there are aspects that would be relevant for anyone at any stage, at it covers so many topics and may open up an avenue a reader has never even considered. Every other sentence is quotable in a conversation about racism and allyship, and I could've chosen about 20 quotes to start this post!

The way the book is laid out is very clever - it makes for easy reading and absorption of the ideas, but also allows you to reference or revisit the book if you want or need to. The whole book is well referenced throughout and explains key terms extremely clearly, giving an ideal baseline for further research to be undertaken by the reader. Williams addresses privilege throughout each chapter, forcing the reader to consider their own, again providing a good root for antiracism work.

I loved the chapter on allyship anxieties, as it gives answers and solutions to any reason you may have to not start antiracism work, leaving no reason not to begin immediately. It gives a whole list of reasons the reader should be involved, and alleviates any fears a reader might have, covering many topics I know I have heard people mention.

Although I like to think that I am not at the very beginning of my antiracist journey, I have made some great notes and next steps for myself to take, which is really the best part of this book. It covers so many different aspects of allyship, there is always something more you can be doing. I know this is a book I will revisit time and time again, and I'm sure others will too. I would recommend this book to absolutely everyone. It is a must read.

*Thank you to Sophie Williams and Harper Collins for sending me the PDF of this book in exchange for an honest review

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