Racism. On wounds and resilience

The public debate about racism and discrimination usually concentrates on shocking injustices, rather than the day-to-day racism that results in what Naima Charkaoui calls micro-injuries, caused by profound and painful experiences that are hard to put into words. What’s more, the culprits are often central to the debate and to the follow-up, while the victim is left out in the cold. This book is a plea for more attention to be paid to the victims of racism.

The author presents ways of dealing with the consequences of racism for the victim, trying for example to answer questions that parents with an immigrant background may ask themselves. How do you start a conversation with your children about racism? How do you broach certain problems without imbuing your children with a negative attitude to society? Her answers focus on the development of resilience, fortitude and hope.

The book has a striking design. Important pronouncements are highlighted and each chapter ends with a summary of its main points, making it suitable both for consciousness-raising and as a practical guide on how to tackle racism.