Say the Right Thing: How to Talk About Identity, Diversity, and Justice

I’ve read a lot of books about identity and diversity, but this is the only one I’ve encountered that focuses on actions and behaviors. This book is awesome. A huge contribution to the literature on this crucial subject.

This book is a gem! It's that wise friend who isn't preachy but is still wise, who helps you sort out confusion and muster courage. Who helps you see the "why" and the "how". A must read, must have, must share book! Thank you, Professors Yoshino and Glasgow, for this vulnerable, practical gift!

Highly Recommend!

If you are an avid reader of DEI books and research (wether you’re a practitioner or other), well, this is **THE** book of the year… actually years to come. Do get it before the first print runs out! Yes, this book is about how to have inclusive and sensitive conversations; yes, it is also about recognizing where each person in the conversation is coming from and how to approach the conversation (e.g., one may be talking about language or policy and the other about humanity and human rights); it is also a book that will help you navigate potential conflicts as we move into a more inclusive society. But what this book really is about (wait for the last few chapters), is a GUIDE FOR CULTURAL AND SOCIETAL CHANGE. The authors don’t say it from the beginning but let the readers deliciously discover it as they read along. It’s really a guide for JUSTICE and EQUITY. And it is told in such a way in which meaningful stories are weaved with solid and thorough academic research. Both Kenji and David are excellent legal scholars at the top of their fields, and they’re now sharing those gifts with us through this magnificent DEI book. It’s truly a gift for society, a gift for change in the right direction and in a sensitive way - which is EXACTLY what we all need right now; a way to come together in productive conversations. So, go buy it! And enjoy one of the best reads you’ll have.Highly recommend this for all DEI practitioners, teachers, professors, and family members going through change. And anyone in society who’s looking for a better future and way of productively engaging with each other.

Although I am a passionate supporter of diversity and justice in my life and in my work I had become deeply disenchanted with "DEI". Every workshop or event I went to (and there were a lot) leaned into shaming and othering, behaviors that I believe are deeply harmful under all circumstances. THIS BOOK IS THE BOOK WE HAVE ALWAYS NEEDED. Kenji Yoshino and David Glasgow's work is rigorous, and deeply researched, and it is also compassionate and KIND. Critically, they recognize that human interactions are layered and nuanced, and expect everyone, including themselves, to make mistakes. The trick is in how we, as a society, and on a personal level, respond to those mistakes. To this end they present easy to remember guidelines for the most constructive way to stand for diversity and justice, for those who have been wronged, for ourselves when we have been the cause of the harm, and critically, to another individual who may have been the source of the harm. This is a book that will both help you chart a path to deeper self awareness and also towards hope that we can all align around our commonalities, rather than continue to build silos of resentment.

I can't say enough good things about this book. It meets you where you are and offers some really helpful, practical, actionable advice. It answers so many of the questions that well-intentioned, good people have but are sometimes afraid to ask, don't know who to ask, or simply don't want to burden those who get asked way too often. It is also a really well written, super interesting read - goes down like a creative and delicious meal, not like medicine. Definitely do yourself a favor and add this one to your library!

Everyone knows that conversations about identity are extremely challenging and divisive. We're constantly being pushed into opposing camps, screaming epithets at each other instead of listening and learning. This book is a stunning breakthrough accomplishment that shows us how to have these conversations productively—with empathy, respect, and compassion. I underlined passages on nearly every page and will be returning to this resource regularly in the years ahead. Every parent, every teacher, every student, every professional should read this crucial book.