Frequently Asked White Questions

“Frequently Asked White Questions makes an important contribution to the literature on race. The book is a practical, readable, no-nonsense guide providing answers to questions that white people frequently ask about race. Parasram and Khasnabish take a complex, emotionally charged, serious subject and make it accessible and interesting to readers. Their goal is to invite people, especially white people, into conversations about race and to do so without shaming or dissing them yet holding whites accountable for our role in maintaining white privilege and white supremacy. They do a masterful job of explaining complex terms and ideas (e.g., critical race theory, cultural appropriation, structural racism) in clear, direct language, debunking the mythologies about them created in our everyday discourse, and giving people the tools to respond when the terms are misused. The book is focused on Canadian issues regarding race, primarily around Indigenous Peoples and colonialism, but these issues have broad relevance throughout the world, and are especially salient for US readers. The book provides an excellent way for US readers to understand white supremacy as an issue that is not limited to the US. The authors use numerous examples of real conversations people might have and provide pragmatic suggestions for how to keep those conversations going plus good advice for when people should consider not engaging in further conversation. This book offers an excellent addition to our toolbox for moving the discourse on building an equitable and inclusive society forward.”

— Fern L. Johnson & Marlene G. Fine, authors of Let’s Talk Race: A Guide for White People

“A gutsy, clear, compelling pep talk for the white anti-racist. The candour and focus on practice will reach many people.”

— Ardath Whynacht, author of Insurgent Love

“This book is a gift. In clear, accessible, thoughtful, and often hilarious prose the authors outline ten questions who’re people tend to ask about race and racism. Ajay and Alex provide context, break down examples, and leave readers—especially white readers like myself— with a clear set of steps for recognizing, addressing, and dismantling racism in their own lives and in their broader communities. I will use this book as a teaching text, give it as a gift, and keep a copy for my own resources.”

— Erin Wunker, author of Notes from a Feminist Killjoy