As a white agnostic female growing up in a small Welsh village this read was invaluable to me.

The ability to read from varying perspectives is a privilege in its self, and for me, it took a brilliant look at someone whose life is so far removed from my own it is hard to comprehend.

I don't like rating nonfiction works but this book was excellent. Highly reccomend.

I have to say I was baffled at the (thankfully few) poor reviews I've seen of this book on Goodreads from white people who clearly felt like their own names had been mentioned by Austin Channing Brown.

I just cannot wrap my head around the idea that, after reading such a short yet incredibly pointed and impactful book which describes exactly the sort of white people who proclaim to be anti-racist until they're confronted by their own prejudices, there are white people who still came to the conclusion of "not all white people". I actually think this book does a magnificent job of showing how we can move away from those conversations and actually start acting upon the issues that need to be addressed and making real, tangible changes.

I also really appreciated this on a totally different level in terms of the discussion on the author's religion. I'm not religious myself and I think after reading I'm Still Here, I've realised that that is a personal blind spot for me where I don't give enough attention to religion or how that intersects with other identities so I'll definitely be looking to educate myself further. Not that I'm clueless when it comes to religion, more that, to not have an active and ongoing understanding of religion is and probably has allowed me the privilege to turn an eye to religious persecution that still persists to this day.

This book was written in 2018 and yet the text still rings so very true. Living in a world that has witnessed the murder of George Floyd and the worldwide eruption of the Black Lives Matter movement doesn't mean that things have changed. I'm Still Here illustrates just how deep-rooted the issues are beyond the headlines and I think white people who need to refocus their efforts should put this down as required reading.

Thanks to Little, Brown Book Group UK and NetGalley for providing me with a copy for review.

A very poignant memoir that was eye-opening. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this although some of it was hard to digest. Have recommended to many of my friends.

I received a copy of this book to review from Netgalley. Thank you for the opportunity.
This book is a must read for all, regardless of race or background. It is informative yet never dull. The writing is excellent with anecdotes giving an added layer to the essays.
On the whole, a great read.

There are honestly so many important ownvoices books about race and racism right now and all of them - very much including this one - are excellent. I would definitely read another collection of essays from Austin Channing Brown.

Brutally honest, hard to read but ultimately hopeful, this is a must read to understand the reality of racism and how we can be a part of the solution, instead of part of the problem.

This book is one woman’s story, but one that reflects the story of many, many others. In a world where we have ‘Black Live Matter’ campaigns, it is essential for everyone to read of the experiences of others. I see people asking about the author’s Christian stand point – if this is you, then you are entirely missing the point. This book was not as hard hitting as the likes of ‘Why I am no longer talking to white people about race’ but for many will be the push they need to examine their own thought processes and belief systems.
Thank you to #AustinChanningBrown for your eloquence and courage in sharing your story and experiences so that we can all learn to identify priviledge and challenge beliefs.
Thank you to #Netgalley for gifting me an electronic copy of #imstillhereblackdignityinaworldmadeforwhiteness in exchange for an honest review.

This is the story of Austin Channing Brown's experience of being Black in predominately white environments, from school, church and employment. She is an engaging writer and speaker and this book explains the history of structural racism and how pervasive it is. From the micro aggressions she experiences when women want to touch her hair, or want to ask her to speak for all Black people, to her fear for her son and her anger and sadness about the states lack of care for her cousin. Austin also has the extra challenge of having a name that is traditionally given to white men and not Black women which leads to scenes of confusion and prejudice some of which are funny. I also enjoyed the books structure from the opening chapter "white people are exhausting" to the last "standing in the shadow of hope" which was particularly moving, there are three interludes including a powerful guide on 'how to survive racism in an organisation that claims to be antiracist'. I enjoyed her writing and narrating, found her story interesting, informative and also funny in places. Having heard her on Brené Brown's podcast Unlocking Us, Austin Channing Brown's sense of humour wasn't a surprise, she talks about that in the podcast and how people often think she's super serious. This is a super serious book written with warmth, anger, sadness, dignity and humour.

With thanks to Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an unbiased review. I also listened to this book in audio form and Austin has a wonder voice and her humour and frustration come alive so I would also recommend that.

Uncomfortable reading, this is about growing up as a black woman in America and as a white person reading this I should be finding it uncomfortable, it should be hard to read and it is. This is part of my un-learning and re-education. Although I am British most of this applies to the UK too, despite what some would have you think, we are not better and if you think we are you are hiding behind your privilege. A stark, truthful and brutally honest view, however it does have some hope, while it is written in a powerful and confrontational style, it still has an easy accessible feel to it as you read. As a white reader I can only comment on my journey and I found this challenging, thought provoking and another step in my lifelong commitment to be anti-racist. A must read.


Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

I'm Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness is a powerful memoir by Austin Channing Brown. It's about her quest to feel unapologetically comfortable in her own skin, and her experiences as a black woman in predominantly white institutions. It's an honest and approachable conversation on race without taking away from the seriousness of the topic, She gives us a glimpse into the innumerable racial slights and injustices she and a vast majority of people of colour have endured and continue to endure.

The author seems resigned when she talks about how systemic racism and white supremacy are here to stay and that attempts to educate and enlighten are rarely fruitful. “I underestimated the enduring power, the lethal imagination, the desire for blood of white supremacy,” she writes.

Despite the cynicism and hopelessness reflected in her writing, she ends this book with some powerful words. "This is the shadow of hope. Knowing that we may never see the realization of our dreams, and yet still showing up."

It's poignant and uncomfortable but an essential read.

Thanks to Little, Brown Book Group UK and Netgalley for providing me with a digital ARC of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

I’m Still Here by Austin Channing Brown

This is Austin Channing Brown’s account of growing up as a black female in America.

This was a powerful memoir about the ways systemic racism and white privilege have negatively impacted her education, career, family and other things.

Austin’s story was educational, thought-provoking and confrontational but written in a relaxed and conversational style.

This book has give me so much to think through and work towards. It is an essential call-to-arms for being actively anti-racist in everyday life.

I’m Still Here is a memoir of one Black Christian American woman’s experiences of her racial, religious and gender identities.

The language that Austin Channing Brown uses is simple and accessible, and the topics she discusses are perhaps difficult to some, but absolutely necessary.

Crucially, Austin Channing Brown lays bare her experiences of racism at work and school, and in church and university.

Although writing about racism in America, much of what Austin Channing Brown writes has a universality to it. She challenges white readers, in particular, to think about white supremacy and how they can play a role in dismantling it, while she simultaneously celebrates her own Black identity and pushes for an American narrative and culture that is not white-centric.

Austin Channing Brown also forces readers to think deeper about “diversity and inclusion” and the price that is paid by Black people who are continually led on by hope in this narrative, only to be disappointed when the reality of tokenism sets in.

Her Twitter banner reads “smash white supremacy so I know the love is real”, a statement which speaks to one of the key messages in this book: despite many churches preaching a rhetoric of spreading love in the face of racism, we cannot out-love racism; no amount of love will dismantle white supremacy.

Indeed, Austin Channing Brown argues that:

“Our only chance of dismantling racial injustice is being more curious about its origins than we are worried about our comfort.”

I’m Still Here is a short and accessible memoir that I think will be an excellent addition to the reading material of those seeking anti-racist literature.

Content warnings: racism (including use of the n word and descriptions of the torture and abuse of Black bodies), death in custody, murder.

"White people can be exhausting"

This is how Austin's book begins. A system that's predominantly made for white people, Austin's name and her efforts to push for racial justice will, perhaps, be called negative or even toxic. The author's parents named her Austin to secure her future, to increase her chances of getting better job prospects. This name is synonymous to a white man, and the look on the faces of the people who assume she's a black woman, is priceless. Austin's fiery narrative that unabashedly exposes white fragility and white guilt bring out the gaps towards racial equality. Despite several attempts at inclusion and performative activism, black people, especially women, still face racism masked in day to day life and are often pushed to be politer, more friendly to accommodate white people's meagre efforts towards a racism-free society. 

An activist championing the cause for racial diversity, Austin urges the readers to always read in between the lines. Words like unity, diversity, safe space are only token actions if not seen till fruition. Having a person of color on the team or giving a black woman the opportunity to speak does not result in racial conciliation. It's the subtle everyday bias, cooking and simmering in our actions, that gives white supremacy another pat on the back. Through unwavering faith and her relationship with the black church, Austin found a sense of belonging, a community where she could express her anger, her joy and work towards navigating a space for herself in a world that's still hell bent sideling voices of color. 

Written with raw honesty, I'm Still Here challenges our biases, it provides an anchor for black women everywhere who are often overlooked, and it reaches out to those willing to be the change.

This is a brilliant book that I am incredibly glad I read and I really enjoyed the familiar, honest writing tone of author Austin Channing Brown, she writes as if she were talking to you, not talking at you. This book covers Austin’s experiences growing up black in a society fuelled by whiteness and in the process embracing her blackness, navigating through life with racism looked away from by (white) people who don’t think it applies to them. Racism plays a part in every single person’s life; either as the victim, the perpetrator (in whatever form or level) or the person who simply let it happen. Everyone has an obligation to understand and acknowledge their own behaviour and to think about the impact of the waters we swim in. Racism is not something that involves other oriole, it involves all of us and books like this truly cement that. With that said, it is your own responsibility to seek out the truth, several quotes stood out for me that really brought this home:
“I am not a priest for the white soul” / “ I cannot make myself responsible for the transformation of white people”. This is a book that makes you look at yourself, for me it made me evaluate whether in the past I have sought information or waited for it to come to me, it made me look at the noise of whiteness and how it can so easily drown out the noises of others. And this is a book about using your voice to change that.

I am grateful for the author’s honesty and I’m grateful for netgalley’s copy in exchange for an honest review. Everyone should read this book and truly open their eyes.

Austin Channing Brown does an excellent job of drawing on her own experiences, education and faith to help me further understand racism and what changes need to be done in order to bring about equality. Although I am not religious nor do I live in America, I still listened and took in everything Austin said and going to try dig deeper not only in myself, but the media and other people’s racism. It is a quick read yet one that is necessary and important, it is a great introduction to the path of recognising my white privilege, and racism and injustices that occur everyday.

I want to read more books like this because I want to learn how to be better. I am striving to be anti-racist and I am not happy with the world as it is now.

I'm Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness is Austin Channing Browns' memoir. It tells her thoughts and feelings of her life and the racism that she had been subject to throughout it. It's not a book meant to comfort white people, but if it makes you uncomfortable then, why? It opens up the thoughts, conversations and actions you could do to make yourself an ally, to learn more and be better. This memoir highlights so many issues that are still rife, and probably will remain the same for a long time (as she says in the book that she hopes, but can't see a future where racism isn't an issue).

I found it heartbreaking to be told what it feels like to be black in what still is a white world. How things are still so much harder for black people, and the fear they feel on a daily basis. Things that those like me wouldn't have to worry about. It is so heartbreaking.

We still have so much further to go in this fight against racism. We need to do better. I urge anyone to read this. This book is important.

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for giving me a copy of this book.

Austin Channing Brown's book is an accessible, arresting look at racism within the workplace, the school, the church, and beyond. Brown's voice is powerful, shattering, and clear. This was an excellent resource for listening and learning. I was especially moved by the final chapter in which Brown explored ideas of love, reconciliation, and hope.