"The belief that what we experience reflects who we are is a fundamental part of who we are and how we have come to be. To deny this is to deny the very foundation of our own existence."

• Ijeoma Oluo

Ijeoma Oluo is a skilled speaker, writer, and internet personality, well known for her views on controversial topics like identity, race, and social justice. Through her published medium – which includes bestselling books, articles, and reports, she’s made her outstanding work easily accessible to the community at large. Renowned for her books “So You Want to Talk About Race” and “Mediocre: The Dangerous Legacy of White America,” Oluo has profoundly impacted today’s society.

Ethics and Values: Understanding Society and The Conflicts Within

Oluo is no stranger to picking apart the intricacies of society, working to analyze the issues and prejudices we face every day. She spreads the message of utilized privilege, and how those born with a silver spoon should not abuse it – rather, they should dip it into the stirring pot of marginalized communities, bringing awareness and supporting them. Directly piggybacking off this, she wanders into the territory of understanding systematic racism, returning an eloquent conqueror, and calling out societal structures and institutions that uphold racist tendencies.

Oluo’s work doesn’t stop there – she repeatedly speaks of how racism permeates society and affects institutions like the criminal justice system, the labor market, and the educational system. She is a proud supporter of the concept of “intersectionality,” which is when intersecting identities (like gender, class, and race) affect oppression in a community. Oluo also criticizes the age-long domination of white male power systems, and how they constantly stomp on society’s efforts to advance and quell injustice.

Importance and Impact: How Oluo Readies Society to Support Themselves

Ijeoma Oluo has had a significant and far-reaching impact on contemporary debates about racism, privilege, and social justice. Through her writing, speaking, and social media, she has established herself as a central voice in education and helping people address and deal with structural injustice. Oluo's writings are popular because they offer clear, practical ideas that inspire people to have important and meaningful conversations about race. She is an invaluable resource for people trying to understand and fight racism and other forms of oppression because of her ability to distill difficult ideas into vocabulary that is easy to understand for people of all ages.

Oluo's work is valuable in helping individuals acknowledge and address their privileges and prejudices. She equips her audience with resources to identify and challenge racism in their personal lives and neighborhoods. She provides clear explanations and useful guidance. This kind of personal empowerment motivates individuals to engage in the fight for justice and equality, a crucial initial move towards achieving more impactful social transformation. Promoting a culture of empathy and understanding is key to building inclusive communities, a concept Oluo supports by highlighting the importance of learning and listening.

What We Can Take Away From Oluo

In her work, Ijeoma Oluo stresses the importance of recognizing our privileges and supporting marginalized communities. She provides valuable guidance on navigating difficult conversations about race with empathy and honesty, emphasizing the significance of actively listening and seeking understanding. Oluo stresses the importance of systemic change, urging us to examine larger systems that maintain inequality instead of focusing solely on individual behavior. She also stresses the significance of intersectionality, urging us to recognize the multiple aspects of people's identities that impact their experiences and advocating for a holistic and inclusive approach to social equality. By incorporating these lessons into our everyday routines, we can contribute to creating a more equitable and unbiased community that respects and recognizes various viewpoints, all while working actively to combat and eradicate systemic injustices.

Works Cited

Gray, J. D. “ASHA Voices: Ijeoma Oluo Talks Race, Conversation, and Microaggressions.” ASHAWIRE, 13 February 2020, https://leader.pubs.asha.org/do/10.1044/asha-voices-ijeoma-oluo-talks-race-conversation-and-microaggressions/full/. Accessed 6 July 2024.

Oluo, Ijeoma. “So You Want to Talk About Race: Full Book Analysis.” SparkNotes, https://www.sparknotes.com/lit/so-you-want-to-talk-about-race/plot-analysis/. Accessed 6 July 2024.

Oluo, Ijeoma, et al. “Be a Revolution by Ijeoma Oluo.” The Appeal, 28 February 2024, https://theappeal.org/be-a-revolution-by-ijeoma-oluo-harper-collins/. Accessed 6 July 2024.