Ralina L. Joseph with Micki Flowers — 'Racial Exhaustion'

Third Place Books welcomes UCLA Vice Provost of Inclusive Excellence and Professor of African American Studies Ralina L. Joseph to our Seward Park store for a conversation about her book —a guide helping readers overcome frustration, fatigue, and discomfort in order to make room for anti-racist change in day-to-day life. Journalist and retired KIRO-TV broadcaster Micki Flowers joins in conversation.

This event is free and open to the public. For important updates, RSVP is highly recommended in advance. This event will include a public signing and time for audience Q&A. Sustain our author series by purchasing a copy of the featured book!

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This event is free to attend. For important updates, registration is highly recommended in advance.

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.

Micki Flowers is a pioneering journalist, civic leader, and philanthropist whose career and community impact span more than four decades. As the first African American female broadcaster at KIRO-TV in Seattle, she broke racial and gender barriers in media, serving as a weathercaster, reporter, anchor, and ultimately as the station’s Health Specialist until her retirement in 2004. Beyond journalism, Micki has been a tireless advocate for education, diversity, and public health. She has served on numerous boards and committees, including AIDS Housing of Washington, the UW Graduate School Diversity Initiative, the Greater Seattle Chapter of The Links, Inc., and the UW's Center for Communication, Difference and Equity. Her mentorship of aspiring journalists and leadership in organizations like the Seattle Chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists reflect her enduring commitment to equity and empowerment.

About Third Place Books

Founded in 1998 in Lake Forest Park, Washington, Third Place Books is dedicated to the creation of a community around books and the ideas inside them. With locations in Lake Forest Park and Seattle's Ravenna and Seward Park neighborhoods, Third Place Books is proud to serve the entire Seattle metro area. Learn more about their event series at thirdplacebooks.com/events.

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