Was That Racist?
On sale
8th January 2026
Price: £22
How do we combat racism in a world determined to tell us it doesn’t exist?
To hold the line against racism, we need to know it when we see it. And as the dominant racial group in our society, White people must take up the charge. The problem is that White people haven’t been socialised to detect racial bias in the way people of colour do.
Racism is more than using racial slurs or overt, hateful speech, and it’s more than unintentional slights; it’s about an entire system that upholds Whiteness as the preferred standard.
Fortunately, detecting it is a skill that can be learned.
Was that Racist? is a re-education, call to action and practical guide, full of research-backed strategies including how to:
· cultivate a growth mindset about bias
· unlearn colourblindness and practice colour consciousness
· talk to kids about race and racism – and bring others along for the journey
At a time when diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) is under coordinated attack, Was that Racist? is the essential toolkit for anyone who believes we all have a role to play in creating a more equitable world.
To hold the line against racism, we need to know it when we see it. And as the dominant racial group in our society, White people must take up the charge. The problem is that White people haven’t been socialised to detect racial bias in the way people of colour do.
Racism is more than using racial slurs or overt, hateful speech, and it’s more than unintentional slights; it’s about an entire system that upholds Whiteness as the preferred standard.
Fortunately, detecting it is a skill that can be learned.
Was that Racist? is a re-education, call to action and practical guide, full of research-backed strategies including how to:
· cultivate a growth mindset about bias
· unlearn colourblindness and practice colour consciousness
· talk to kids about race and racism – and bring others along for the journey
At a time when diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) is under coordinated attack, Was that Racist? is the essential toolkit for anyone who believes we all have a role to play in creating a more equitable world.
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Reviews
At a time when conversations about race, equity and belonging are being censored and outlawed, Dr Evelyn Carter offers us clarity, courage and the tools we need to unlearn bias and build communities where we all belong. Was That Racist? pushes us to be honest with ourselves and to take accountability for creating the world we want
Social psychologist Evelyn R. Carter, PhD, draws on her pioneering research and extensive work as a leader across industries to illuminate why White people and people of colour perceive racial bias so differently - and what we can do about it. What sets this book apart is Carter's gift for weaving rigourous scholarship with deeply personal narratives - from childhood experiences in predominantly White spaces to navigating pregnancy as a Black woman in a healthcare system rife with inequity. The result is a book that educates without condescending, challenges without alienating, and offers practical tools for detecting subtle bias, decentering Whiteness, confronting harmful behaviour, and raising children who reject racism. Whether you're a White person seeking to understand your blind spots or a person of colour looking for language to articulate your experiences, Carter provides the framework to move from awareness to action
An illuminating guide to knowing what you don't know about racism