Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

'White supremacy is a violent system of oppression that harms Black, Indigenous and People of Colour. And if you are a person who holds white privilege, then you are complicit in upholding that harm, whether you realise it or not. This is not my opinion. This is fact. And if you are person who holds white privilege, the question you should be asking isn't whether or not this is true, but rather, what are you going to do about it?' Between June and July 2018, Layla Saad ran a 28-day Instagram challenge under the hashtag #MeAndWhiteSupremacy, for people with white privilege to unflinchingly examine the ways that they are complicit in upholding the oppressive system of white supremacy.The challenge quickly went viral, with thousands of people from all over the world (including USA, Canada, UK, Italy, Germany, The Netherlands, Russia, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Thailand and Qatar, among others) diving deep for 28 consecutive days to examine and take responsibility for the ways in which they uphold white supremacy. The challenge catalyzed a worldwide awakening for thousands of white-privileged people to begin to take ownership of their personal anti-racism work. This workbook was born out of that challenge.

Reviews provided by Syndetics

Library Journal Review

Saad has written an important book about taking ownership of racist behavior and making changes that are not easy, convenient, or comfortable. The book, with a foreword by Robin DiAngelo (White Fragility) was inspired by Saeed's Instagram challenge, #meandwhitesupremacy, and her digital Me and White Supremacy Workbook. Saeed offers steps for beginning work towards antiracism that feel as honest, straightforward, and actionable as they are difficult. She lays out courses of action over the span of 28 days that are designed to help readers slowly and intentionally unpack white privilege, acknowledge their participation in the oppressive system of white supremacy, and begin dismantling the system for themselves and within their communities. The book is organized first by week and then by day, with quotations, definitions, examples, and journal prompts designed to set a strong foundation for enduring, ongoing antiracist work. VERDICT This groundbreaking book should be required reading for people ready to acknowledge their behaviors, whether intentional or not. It will make a strong addition to both public and university libraries where it will equip scholars, activists, and allies with real tools to promote systemic change.--Emily Bowles, Univ. of Wisconsin, Madison

Booklist Review

In the summer of 2018, writer, speaker and podcast host Saad launched the 28-day Instagram challenge: #MeAndWhiteSupremacy. She never expected it to go viral or for the free workbook to be downloaded by over 90,000 people. Two years later, her initial challenge has been updated and expanded into this small but intense book which provokes readers to take personal ownership of the effort to dismantle systemic racism. As an East African, Arab, British, Black, and Muslim woman, Saad delivers an informed perspective on issues such as white fragility, cultural appropriation, and color blindness. She confronts the assumption that racism only operates outside of polite society and reveals itself in racial slurs and outward attacks, which is discussed with special focus in ""Day 6: You and White Exceptionalism."" The fact is, white supremacy is far more insidious, manifest in nuanced ways, such as the idea that racism is a problem for Black, Indigenous, and people of color to solve. This book is not for the oppressed or the marginalized, but rather for those whose privilege, when left unchecked, has harmful consequences. Saad has created an insightful and necessary contribution to the work of combating racism and becoming good ancestors.--Enobong Tommelleo Copyright 2020 Booklist

Kirkus Book Review

An activist program for confronting white privilege and dismantling white supremacy.Building on a workbook downloaded by nearly 90,000 readers, multicultural writer Saad, born in Britain and now living in Doha, Qatar, delivers "a one of a kind personal antiracism tool" that is meant foremost to teach white readers how to recognize their privilege and "take ownership of their participation in the oppressive system of white supremacy." Many readers will likely recoil, protesting that they're not racist, are colorblind, have nothing but benevolent thoughts, and so forth. The author is ready for them: White supremacy, she writes, is not just a comprehensive system, but it also trains those who benefit most from it to "keep you asleep and unaware" of the power that whites hold relative to those of other races and ethnicities: "BIPOC," as in, "Black, Indigenous, and People of Color." Saad enumerates some of the features of that power: Pulled over for a traffic violation, a white motorist doesn't usually have to fear for their life; any stylist can cut their hair; popular culture considers people who look like them to be representative; and so on. The author's approach is at first confrontational and righteously indignant, but as she guides her readersincluding BIPOCs who may for whatever reason benefit from systems of white privilege and supremacythrough a monthlong series of lessons, including self-critical journal prompts, one has the sense that her method is much like that of Marine Corps boot camp: Tear down in order to build up. A reader's guilt may rise and crest, buttressed by sweeping damned-if-you-do-or-don't condemnation for such things as "clinging to pink pussy hats, safety pins, and hashtags over doing the real work." At the end, however, that reader is assured that even though they may be part of the problem, "you are simultaneously also a part of the answer."A bracing, highly useful tool for any discussion of combating racism. Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Author notes provided by Syndetics

Layla Saad is a globally respected writer, speaker and podcast host on the topics of race, identity, leadership, personal transformation and social change. As an East African, Arab, British, Black, Muslim woman who was born and grew up in the West, and lives in the Middle East, Layla has always sat at a unique intersection of identities from which she is able to draw rich and intriguing perspectives. Layla's work is driven by her powerful desire to 'become a good ancestor'; to live and work in ways that leave a legacy of healing and liberation for those who will come after she is gone. Me And White Supremacy is Layla's first book. Initially offered for free following an Instagram challenge under the same name, the best-selling digital Me And White Supremacy Workbook was downloaded by close to ninety thousand people around the world in the space of six months, before becoming a traditionally published book. Layla's work has been brought into homes, educational institutions and workplaces around the world that are seeking to create personal and collective change.Layla earned her Bachelor of Law degree from Lancaster University in the United Kingdom. She lives in Doha, Qatar with her husband, Sam, and two children, Maya and Mohamed.