"Are You Calling Me a Racist?" (Paperback)

Sarita Srivastava

ISBN 10: 1479815268 / ISBN 13: 9781479815265

Published by New York University Press, New York, 2026

About this Item

Paperback. Winner, 2025 Canadian Sociology Book Award, given by the Canadian Sociological AssociationShows why diversity workshops fail and offers concrete solutions for a path forwardDespite decades of anti-racism workshops and diversity policies in corporations, schools, and nonprofit organizations, racial conflict has only increased in recent years. "Are You Calling Me a Racist?" reveals why these efforts have failed to effectively challenge racism and offers a new way forward.Drawing from her own experience as an educator and activist, as well as extensive interviews and analyses of contemporary events, Sarita Srivastava shows that racial encounters among well-meaning people are ironically hindered by the emotional investment they have in being seen as good people. Diversity workshops devote energy to defending, recuperating, educating, and inwardly reflecting, with limited results, and these exercises often make things worse. These "Feel-Good politics of race," Srivastava explains, train our focus on the therapeutic and educational, rather than on concrete practices that could move us towards true racial equity. Inthis type of approach to diversity training, people are more concerned about being called a racist than they are about changing racist behavior."Are You Calling Me a Racist?" is a much-needed challenge to the status quo of diversity training, and will serve as a valuable resource for anyone dedicated to dismantling racism in their communities, educational institutions, public or private organizations, and social movements. "Diversity and anti-racism work is too often reduced to training, therapy, education, and policy, or what the author calls "Feel-Good" approaches that focus on emotions and morality and prevent us from taking collective action for racial justice, decolonization, and equity in our organizations and communities"-- Shipping may be from our Sydney, NSW warehouse or from our UK or US warehouse, depending on stock availability.

Seller Inventory # 9781479815265

Bibliographic Details

• Title: "Are You Calling Me a Racist?" (Paperback)
• Publisher: New York University Press, New York
• Publication Date: 2026
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1479815268
• ISBN 13: 9781479815265
• Binding: Paperback
• Condition: new

About this title

Synopsis

Winner, 2025 Canadian Sociology Book Award, given by the Canadian Sociological Association

Shows why diversity workshops fail and offers concrete solutions for a path forward

Despite decades of anti-racism workshops and diversity policies in corporations, schools, and nonprofit organizations, racial conflict has only increased in recent years. “Are You Calling Me a Racist?” reveals why these efforts have failed to effectively challenge racism and offers a new way forward.

Drawing from her own experience as an educator and activist, as well as extensive interviews and analyses of contemporary events, Sarita Srivastava shows that racial encounters among well-meaning people are ironically hindered by the emotional investment they have in being seen as good people. Diversity workshops devote energy to defending, recuperating, educating, and inwardly reflecting, with limited results, and these exercises often make things worse. These “Feel-Good politics of race,” Srivastava explains, train our focus on the therapeutic and educational, rather than on concrete practices that could move us towards true racial equity. In
this type of approach to diversity training, people are more concerned about being called a racist than they are about changing racist behavior.

“Are You Calling Me a Racist?” is a much-needed challenge to the status quo of diversity training, and will serve as a valuable resource for anyone dedicated to dismantling racism in their communities, educational institutions, public or private organizations, and social movements.

About the Author

Sarita Srivastava is Professor of Sociology and Dean of the Faculty of Arts & Science at OCAD University in Toronto.