Not My Idea: A Book About Whiteness (Ordinary Terrible Things)

Because of the insanity raging through America over so-called "critical race theory", this very progressive, older woman decided I should check out some of these books. I have way more questions than answers after receiving this first one. If you are like me -- a progressive involved in racial justice my entire life -- you might want to read the book with your child. But you should read it first alone.I simply can't imagine that this book would be taught to first-graders. The book is full of BIG concepts. Critical concepts and COMPLEX concepts. To say to a six-year-old "You can be WHITE without signing on to whiteness" -- what does that even mean???I am sorry but this progressive would be outraged if my child was reading this book in school without my knowledge. It lacks any nuance. It's absolutely another form of religion. I happen to agree with its values and teachings in general, as an ADULT. But to have my six year old being taught this in school w/o any additional support from home, without any opportunity to discuss with my daughter phrases like "Whiteness Is a Bad Deal. It always was," and she wonders if she should hate me. I would be FURIOUS!Several people write that the book is very sad and w/o hope. I agree. It's an absolutely devastating book for a child to read. Kids are very sensitive to skin color. I remember buying my step-daughter these little fabric dolls -- like gingerbread men for her to sew together -- in light beige to dark brown. She was three and lined them up pronto -- This is Anne, this is me, this is Daddy, and this is David (her brother). She did it on the basis of skin color and she did it accurately.Her mom and I had a great relationship and we tag-teamed each other all the time on these difficult racial topics.This book just puts it all out there like a plate of SpaghettiOs. I'm shocked and also stunned that it has ****. I hope we survive as a nation. I truly mean that. If this is really what the left is preaching, I have a lot more reading to do. Trust me -- this is the left's equivalent of Tucker Carlson on the right. Most of us don't live in either mindset.

There is nothing wrong with a book educating children on the existence of racism and how it has operated in this country. And especially since race is still being exploited for political purposes, it is more important than ever to raise these issues. A book like this should serve as an opening for discussion in families and schools. However, this book is ruined by the very poor judgment to use “whiteness” as an epithet. The subtitle, “A Book About Whiteness,” is a very bad choice. The clear message, whether intended or not, is that being white is bad.I did try to disregard the subtitle and read the book objectively, giving it a fair chance. While there is much to like, the book is marred by simplistic thinking that encourages overgeneralizations. For example, while racially motivated abuses of police power are very real and should be called out, not all police are abusers and some really care about doing a good job. And sometimes the people they arrest really are guilty. It is difficult to hold such contradictory images in mind at the same time; nevertheless, a realistic assessment of the situation requires it.Among other assets, the book provides valuable education in highlighting systemic reasons for the unequal distribution of wealth in this country. Its challenge to the ways we perceive each other is helpful. But all of that is undone by a couple of really bad pages at the end (see photos). It is the frames saying “Whiteness is a bad deal” and displaying a “Whiteness” contract listing every conceivable social evil. On the next page the book does say “you can be WHITE without signing onto whiteness,” but this is a very lame disclaimer that comes too late and is stated too glibly to be of any use. The unmistakable impression this book leaves is that “white” is bad.Statements like “Whiteness is a bad deal” are undeniably racist, and you can’t fight racism with more racism. The notion that only one race is capable of racism denies human nature. The politics in many other countries have shown that when Blacks gain power they can be just as brutal as Whites. Yet the book clearly seems to imply that the tendency of those with power to oppress those without it is a distinctively "White" characteristic.This is especially unfortunate because white supremacy really is a problem in this country. Some states are making concerted efforts to disenfranchise Black people and perpetuate inequality. A book like this, with its intemperate use of language, plays right into their hands. It offers a handy excuse to people invested in denying the real malicious effects of racism still afflicting our society. In giving its opponents ample reason to dismiss it, this book actually does a disservice to its own cause.

I bought this to see just how bad some of the rhetoric has actually become in our schools.Someday this will be one of those books people look back on and question how and why we allowed ideology like this to be pushed on the minds of the young in our society.Divisive, twisted perception of history and current affairs aimed at children with the sole purpose of creating conflict.

This book tells white people to be guilty for their race and colour. It encourages those of other races to expect white racism. What it doesn't do is promote harmony and inclusivity.Racist rocket fuel. If there were a zero star option that would have been the score

Really lovely book for supporting children to consider how to respond to institutional racism.

I have in my library all sorts of books, including "Mein Kampf" by Adolf Hitler. It's important to understand where evil comes from in a society. Evil does not have to be smart or logic, sometimes it's just pushed into the brain of people, in this case very young people. As for the content Luther King would certainly be disgusted, and I am too.

A good read to share with youth on this often difficult subject.