This newly expanded and updated edition of Anti-Racism for Beginners offers guidance for engagement with anti-racism and anti-racist practices in interdisciplinary areas, from social work, healthcare and youth and community work through to business management.
A range of frameworks, based on theoretical understanding and practical guidance, prompts critical thinking, encourages meaningful conversations and enables readers to play an active and positive part in promoting anti-racism. The concepts of intersectionality and allyship are central themes throughout the book and aid in tackling discrimination and oppression. Key points, practice examples and exercises allow for the integration of theory and practice.
An ideal resource for managers, practitioners and students in social work and social care, healthcare, probation, police work, counselling, education and related areas.
Table of Contents:
Introduction: Why this Book? 1. What is Racism? 2. What is Anti-Racism? 3. Theorizing Anti-Racism 4. Allyship 5. Intersectionality 6. Language and Communication 7. Beyond Black and White 8. Religious Discrimination 9. Key Terms and Concepts 10. Pitfalls to avoid 11.Practicing Anti-Racism 12. What Next? 13.If 14. Conclusion 15. Epilogue
About the Author :
Neil Thompson is a well-known and highly respected author in social work and the human relations field more broadly. He is currently a visiting professor at The Open University and Wrexham University. His online platform, The Neil Thompson Academy, offers a range of learning opportunities, including leadership qualifications.
Review :
'Anti-Racist Practice is an essential guide and tool for understanding basic yet often misunderstood language and concepts around racial discrimination and social action. The reader-friendly descriptions and illustrations are presented in ways that enhance comprehension, while also building trust and connection necessary for reducing roadblocks to socially conscious, equitable behaviours and organizational practices. Prolific scholar and person-centred educator, Thompson created this book and timeless resource for individuals of various levels of cultural understanding and competency.'
Dr Tashel C. Bordere, Center for Family Policy & Research, University of Missouri
'Once more, Neil Thompson provides a publication that is not only informative and thought provoking, but also produced in a format that is easy to understand and engage with. He certainly achieves one of his principal aims regarding the need for solidarity in tackling racism alongside other unacceptable forms of discrimination. I have no hesitation in recommending this book as a terrific starting point, but also as a pathway to furthering knowledge on this essential topic.'
John McGowan, General Secretary, Social Workers Union
'In the aftermath of the terrible death of George Floyd and Black Lives Matter protests throughout the globe there has never been a better time to publish a beginner’s guide to anti-racism. In this refreshing new book Neil Thompson identifies the multidimensional nature of racism and helpfully discusses the pitfalls and subtle intricacies involved in tackling it. Although aimed at beginners, its clear and readable style has much to offer more seasoned campaigners in the fight for a fairer world.'
Paul Stepney, Adjunct Professor, Tampere University, Finland
'Neil Thompson is a world-leading author, and this wonderful and authentic book adds weight to the impact of his work. Racism is one of the greatest challenges facing contemporary society. With creative and critical intent, Neil dissects the concept of racism and powerfully illustrates its complex intersections between theory and practice and presents anti-racism as an urgent issue demanding personal and professional engagement. It will be essential reading for anyone looking to understand anti-racism and will undoubtedly be a leader in the field.'
Professor Jason Powell, McMaster University, Canada
'I remember first encountering Neil Thompson’s work as a student. His extensive work on values reassured me early on that social work was the right profession for me. I felt inspired and pleasantly surprised that tackling discrimination and oppression was regarded as a core value. This aligned perfectly with my own values. I’m confident this book will firmly resonate with many social workers and others and will be considered as another valuable resource to educate, empower and equip people from all backgrounds in policy, practice and education for decades to come. ‘One world, one race … the human race!’'
Wayne Reid, co-editor, Outlanders: Hidden Narratives from Social Workers of Colour from Black & Other Global Majority Communities
'Neil Thompson is a highly respected, internationally recognized author, and he has now added yet another excellent volume to his completed works. This very timely book provides a very clear exploration of racism and its foundations at the personal, cultural, and structural levels. The descriptions and examples provide readers with impeccable clarity and focus about issues that accompany racist attitudes and practices. The practical suggestions for anti-racist practice and opportunity for reflection on personal attitudes are incredibly helpful. I will certainly be using this book in my university courses to help students develop a solid understanding of racism and how to counter racist practices, both in their professional careers and everyday lives.'
Professor Darcy Harris, King’s University College at Western University, London, Canada
'History and more recent events continue to highlight how racism blights our society and reminds us of the work that remains to be carried out. In this updated edition, Neil Thompson sets out, in an accessible manner, some of the ideas and thinking that can help people struggling with the discomfort, feelings of guilt and powerlessness experienced when beginning to explore these issues. This edition provides more depth and looks at racism more broadly, exploring intersectionality and beyond racism on skin colour. More current difficult areas are touched on and readers can explore these in more depth to explore international rhetoric in terms of racism and other connected discrimination and oppression. As a white Welshman, Neil also situates this work as being everyone’s responsibility, through our professional values as well as our humanity. He highlights how racism impacts the whole of society and is the daily lived reality for people of colour as well as other people oppressed through ethnicity and other characteristics. In that, this is a very useful beginner’s guide that explores some of the terminology and definitions before opening out areas for further development. In his inimitable style, Neil offers clarity and simple learning points to help those looking to develop their thinking, making this a useful resource to help people on their journey to develop themselves, their practice with people using services, colleagues and the organizations they work for. As such, this book is a valuable addition to anyone on their journey to developing their anti-racist practice.'
Abyd Quinn Aziz is a qualified social worker and Reader in Social Work, having been Programme Director of the MA Social Work at Cardiff University. He is also active in anti-racism and equality, diversity and inclusion.
'Having taught courses in this area for over forty years, my one regret is that this book was not available for my courses. The book is distinctively sociological, theoretical and, at the same time, is the most practical approach to understanding and approaching racism. The book is comprehensive and acknowledges discrimination is far more than just racial. The exercises are excellent. Thompson develops unique concepts, provides great explanations of key ideas as well as developing theoretical and practical approaches. This book is not slanted toward a particular point of view, but offers an unbiased analysis of racism and ways to put anti-racism into practice. It is destined to become a classic in the field! It is truly a masterpiece.'
Dr Gerry R. Cox, Professor Emeritus, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
'A recent review of 12 reports tackling racism in the UK by The Guardian Newspaper (25 May 2025), showed that of the 600 recommendations identified in these reports, only a third have been implemented. These reports, such as, the inquiry into the death of Stephen Lawrence, go back as far as 1981. The original recommendations cover areas such as education, business, health, criminal justice and community cohesion initiatives. Of those recommendations that have been implemented, the Guardian Newspaper found that actions were often addressed in an inconsistent and limited way or they are too vague to access. In this Second Edition of Anti-Racist Practice, Neil Thompson not only provides a useful theoretical analysis of racism but also how racist ideology infiltrates our everyday lives. In addition, he highlights the consequences of not tackling racism on individuals, communities and society. The book draws of a range of sociological, psychological, socio-political, political and historical concepts, ideologies and theory to highlight the complicated aspects of racism. For example, it highlights current political debates on migration of people to the UK. It challenges ideologies that suggest migration will result in loss of a British way of life and identity. By highlighting what can be gained through tackling racism he shows how British society can be enriched. In this way the book provides tools for the reader to identify how they can challenge stereotypical, common-sense beliefs, and ideologies. Neil skilfully navigates the reader through a vast array of these complex debates in his no-nonsense way. He highlights the consequences of not adopting an anti-racist and anti-discriminatory stance. It is clear that as a society we still have some way to go to address racial inequalities and this book provides ways in which people can challenge mediocracy in everyday situations.'
Dr Suki Desai, Independent Researcher
