This is Why I Resist: Don't Define My Black Identity

Product Information

Yep – this definitely describes Dr Shola Mos-Shogbamimu, a lawyer, public speaker and activist, and the author of This is Why I Resist, which is what we’ll be reviewing today. But firstly, more on Dr Shola.

Mos-Shogbamimu: who is the This Is Why I Resist Dr Shola Mos-Shogbamimu: who is the This Is Why I Resist

What emerges is a challenging, sometimes difficult read – indeed, she warns in the introduction, it is not a book looking for a dispassionate, “sugar-coated” piece of writing. Shola Mos-Shogbamimu is a lawyer, activist, political commentator and founder of the publication Women in Leadership. One question I wrestle with after reading it is: what does Mos-Shogbamimu want white readers to take from the book? I ask because, on several occasions she states it’s not for her to educate a white audience or explain racism, but simultaneously she’s written a powerful resource which many will feel does just that. Is there a tension here?A racial gatekeeper is one who uses their influence, their position, their power, their voice, to pull up the ladder behind them. What they do is legitimise the divisive rhetoric, the oppression, the system of oppression used against people from their own ethnicity. And they do this for self-preservation. They do this for the benefits they get from their proximity to white supremacy.

Book Review | This Is Why I Resist - Madeline Wilson-Ojo Book Review | This Is Why I Resist - Madeline Wilson-Ojo

Inclusive, exciting and focused, This Is Why I Resist is a fantastic point of reference for intersectional anti-racism work, no matter who you are.’ Munroe Bergdorf Unfortunately for Remainers, the negative impact that’s going to come from Brexit – this is not going to be like, you know, the plagues that hit Biblical Egypt,” says the 45-year-old. The rest of the book goes on to describe and define racism in all its forms, using case study examples from The UK and The USA. With chapters such as “Does Reverse Racism Exist?”, “Who’s Playing The Race Card?” and “Can I Be Me?”, she goes in-depth into debunking the concept of “reverse racism”, explains why anti-semitism is not racism, and why discrimination against class and discrimination against race are not to be conflated. Being that her book was released last year, the examples she uses to support her arguments are still very fresh in our collective memories – I guess this makes her writing relatable and easy to understand. At least DR SHOLA Mos-Shogbamimu has revealed her political and cultural beliefs in straight language. Since then, Dr Shola has made several TV appearances, speaking out on several issues pertaining to racism in Britain – in particular, Good Morning Britain, where it has been a pleasure to see her shut down Piers Morgan on several occasions. 🙂It’s incredibly exhausting and almost like a vicious cycle that we have to keep explaining, trying to educate and trying to respond.” This book will challenge you. It will make you think. Bust most importantly, it will inspire you take action. All of these incidents touched social media and our headlines, and they are reflected in Dr. Shola’s unapologetic prose.