"[Headlee] lowers the temperature around conversations about race in this edifying work. . . . Written for those who are tired of arguing, debating, and still getting nowhere on the issue of race, Headlee’s personal-yet-proficient approach to potentially heated parlays is sure to inspire constructive, and perhaps life-changing, conversations." — Publishers Weekly
"Award-winning journalist and professional speaker Headlee offers tips on doing something she’s an expert at: speaking to and understanding others. This timely book comes at a moment of particular attention to racial tension; Headlee’s book promises to help us have fruitful conversations about it." — Boston Globe
"A thoughtful, enlightening guide." — Kirkus Reviews
“Celeste Headlee says we cannot go around, over, or under the subject of race in this country. We must go through it—and the way forward is to have conversations. This is simply the best book I’ve read on how to have those conversations. Unflinchingly honest, exceptionally well-reasoned and researched, there is so much to admire about Speaking of Race. But my very favorite element is the conversations in each chapter, excerpts from Celeste’s interviews in which you can glimpse the perspective-changing power of dialogue.” — Angela Duckworth, founder and CEO of Character Lab and New York Times bestselling author of Grit
“This is what America needs: an evidence-based book on race that doesn’t divide or polarize. Whether you’ve been avoiding conversations about race altogether or stumbling your way through them, Celeste Headlee is the ideal teacher. Her goal isn’t to make you more comfortable—it’s to make you more thoughtful.” — Adam Grant, number one New York Times bestselling author of Think Again and host of the TED podcast WorkLife
"Nobody feels entirely comfortable talking about the potentially explosive subject of race, but public radio journalist Celeste Headlee is here to help everyone have open, respectful conversations on the subject. . . . Headlee brings the receipts throughout, diving deep into science and sociology to help explain the best ways to think about race and prejudice—and she fully owns up that step one, acknowledging your own biases, is probably the hardest. . . . Speaking of Race won’t give you all the answers, but it will help you learn how to ask the right questions." — Apple Books
“Powerful and actionable. If you want a less racist world, you must read this excellent book—every page is packed with tools, inspiration, and insight." — Dolly Chugh, author of The Person You Mean to Be
"Headlee has created an informative, enjoyable book that functions as part-memoir, part-guidebook to having conversations about racism. A must-read for everyone." — Library Journal
“Celeste Headlee is perhaps the greatest evangelist for the power of conversation and Speaking of Race is an accessible, carefully researched, and refreshingly personal exploration into how to have better, more honest discussions about race and racism. An exercise in courage and honesty, this book offers readers an understanding companion as they do the work of facing their biases.” — Lindsay Foster Thomas, journalist and host of The ARC of Justice podcast
“Celeste Headlee knows that conversations about racism are hard and that many, perhaps most, will fail to change hearts and minds. But in Speaking of Race, she makes a powerful case that those of us who want an antiracist world must make the attempt, and she offers wise, evidence-based guidance for how to go about it.” — John Biewen, host of the Peabody Award–nominated podcast Scene on Radio
“As we continue to reckon with America’s painful racial history, Celeste Headlee gives us important insight into our past and present as well as wisdom for navigating meaningful conversations for a better future.” — Christian McBride, seven-time Grammy Award–winning jazz bassist
09/20/2021
Journalist Headlee (We Need to Talk), a self-described “light-skinned Black Jew,” lowers the temperature around conversations about race in this edifying work. Acknowledging that racism is all too human, Headlee argues that a human-centered approach is needed to address bigotry and bias—namely, having conversations. Informed by her personal encounters and her experience as a National Public Radio host, Headlee offers helpful advice on how to fight racism through “lots and lots of short, low-stakes conversations.” Headlee provides expert guidance on asking good, open-ended questions as well as appealing to critical thinking processes to combat prejudices among friends, family members, neighbors, or the “people you bump into at the hardware store or the library.” For instance, she recommends discussing “the presence of racism surrounding us” and implicit or systemic racist structures. Written for those who are tired of arguing, debating, and still getting nowhere on the issue of race, Headlee’s personal-yet-proficient approach to potentially heated parlays is sure to inspire constructive, and perhaps life-changing, conversations. (Nov.)
This is what America needs: an evidence-based book on race that doesn’t divide or polarize. Whether you’ve been avoiding conversations about race altogether or stumbling your way through them, Celeste Headlee is the ideal teacher. Her goal isn’t to make you more comfortable—it’s to make you more thoughtful.
Celeste Headlee says we cannot go around, over, or under the subject of race in this country. We must go through it—and the way forward is to have conversations. This is simply the best book I’ve read on how to have those conversations. Unflinchingly honest, exceptionally well-reasoned and researched, there is so much to admire about Speaking of Race. But my very favorite element is the conversations in each chapter, excerpts from Celeste’s interviews in which you can glimpse the perspective-changing power of dialogue.”
Powerful and actionable. If you want a less racist world, you must read this excellent book—every page is packed with tools, inspiration, and insight."
"Award-winning journalist and professional speaker Headlee offers tips on doing something she’s an expert at: speaking to and understanding others. This timely book comes at a moment of particular attention to racial tension; Headlee’s book promises to help us have fruitful conversations about it."
Celeste Headlee is perhaps the greatest evangelist for the power of conversation and Speaking of Race is an accessible, carefully researched, and refreshingly personal exploration into how to have better, more honest discussions about race and racism. An exercise in courage and honesty, this book offers readers an understanding companion as they do the work of facing their biases.”
"Nobody feels entirely comfortable talking about the potentially explosive subject of race, but public radio journalist Celeste Headlee is here to help everyone have open, respectful conversations on the subject.. . .Headlee brings the receipts throughout, diving deep into science and sociology to help explain the best ways to think about race and prejudice—and she fully owns up that step one, acknowledging your own biases, is probably the hardest. . . .Speaking of Race won’t give you all the answers, but it will help you learn how to ask the right questions."
Celeste Headlee knows that conversations about racism are hard and that many, perhaps most, will fail to change hearts and minds. But in Speaking of Race, she makes a powerful case that those of us who want an antiracist world must make the attempt, and she offers wise, evidence-based guidance for how to go about it.
As we continue to reckon with America’s painful racial history, Celeste Headlee gives us important insight into our past and present as well as wisdom for navigating meaningful conversations for a better future.
11/19/2021
How do we talk about racism? Is it possible to talk about it without the conversation becoming an argument? Journalist and author Headlee (We Need To Talk: How To Have Conversations That Matter) believes it is possible, and her new book provides pathways for those looking to discuss racism. Headlee (self-described as a light-skinned Black Jew) argues that all people have biases. Using scientific and personal examples, the author theorizes that in order to educate each other, people should point out instances of racism or bias but avoid name-calling or accusing. Instead, she emphasizes that conversations should be based on questions that do not pass judgement (e.g., "why do you say that?" or "what makes you think that?"), and taking time to thoughtfully listen to and consider the answers. For Headlee, this is a method of accountability that might not change a person's beliefs but could open the door to deeper understanding. Throughout the book, she presents examples of conversation pieces, open-ended questions, and possible outcomes. VERDICT Headlee has created an informative, enjoyable book that functions as part-memoir, part-guidebook to having conversations about racism. A must-read for everyone.—Leah Huey, Dekalb P.L., IL
2021-08-25
A cogent explanation of why respect and acceptance should ground conversations about race.
Headlee joins authors such as Ijeoma Oluo (So You Want To Talk About Race) and Robert Livingston (The Conversation) in offering practical suggestions for thinking about, and talking about, racism. Headlee’s mixed-race heritage—she identifies as a “light-skinned Black Jew”—and “non-race-specific features” have allowed her “to see the racial underpinnings of our society in a way that most can’t, or don’t.” Defining a racist as “someone who makes assumptions about another person (either positive or negative) because of their perceived race or ethnicity,” an attitude not limited to White supremacists, Headlee provides questions and exercises for self-evaluation. Drawing on research from neuroscience, psychology, political science, and sociology, as well as ideas from Buddhist thought and philosophy, the author offers a road map for crafting productive conversations that, she contends, “have the power to change hearts. Among her suggestions are engaging with others through curiosity, fostering empathy, and listening actively. She advocates “using a series of questions intended to increase your understanding” of someone else’s views while also encouraging them “to think through their ideas on a deeper level than they may have before.” Even when disagreeing on important issues, it’s possible to develop a meaningful relationship with someone “simply by spending time with them.” Commonalities, Headlee asserts, “help to build bridges of empathy.” Regarding conversational strategies, she advises that we take turns talking: “Before anyone states their own opinion, they should restate what they heard from the other person, making sure they’ve articulated their ideas accurately.” The author focuses most on private interchanges. In the workplace, businesses trying to promote diversity often employ unproductive methods that do not lead to a change in culture. True inclusivity requires “specific policies,” and it’s vital to realize that “silence is complicity.”
A thoughtful, enlightening guide that joins a host of others addressing persistent racism.
