Racial Exhaustion

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.

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.