Racial Exhaustion - by Ralina L Joseph

Book Synopsis

How to build stamina to confront racial exhaustion and communicate differently about race

In the wake of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, many Americans--regardless of race--find themselves exhausted by conversations about race and racism. People of color continue to bear the weight of systemic racism while also shouldering the burden of explaining and confronting daily microaggressions. White people, whether allies or skeptics, often feel defensive, fatigued, or uncertain about how to engage in discussions about race. Across the spectrum, the result is the same: exhaustion.

Drawing from her experience running "Interrupting Privilege," a racial dialogue program, Ralina Joseph blends personal narrative, real-world dialogue, and critical race scholarship to explore how we communicate race today--and how we can do better. Through practices of deep listening, embracing discomfort, and interrupting microaggressions, this book guides readers in transforming everyday interactions into opportunities for anti-racist change. Racial Exhaustion challenges us to recognize and address the fatigue that racial discourse brings while offering practical strategies to foster more equitable and productive conversations.

Review Quotes

"Ralina Joseph's unique assemblage of scholarship-pedagogy-practice proficiency sets Racial Exhaustion apart. Drawing on experiential data, storytelling, and interviews, there is no other book that takes the approach of not only critically engaging the tough topic of race-based stress and trauma, but does so while leaning into identifiable change-making and problem-solving approaches. Groundbreaking and impactful, Racial Exhaustion is desperately needed now more than ever."-- "Robin R. Means Coleman, University of Virginia"

About the Author

Ralina L. Joseph is Vice Provost of Inclusive Excellence and Professor of African American Studies at University of California, Los Angeles. She is the author of several books, including Postracial Resistance: Black Women, Media Culture, and the Uses of Strategic Ambiguity.