Ijeoma Oluo facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ijeoma Oluo
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| Born | 1980 (age 44–45) Denton, Texas, US
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| Other names | Ijeoma Jacobson |
| Education | BA political science (2007) |
| Alma mater | Western Washington University |
| Occupation | Writer |
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Notable work
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So You Want to Talk About Race |
| Spouse(s) | Gabriel Teodros |
| Children | 2 |
| Relatives | Ahamefule J. Oluo (brother) Lindy West (sister in-law) |
Ijeoma Oluo (born 1980) is an American writer. She is known for her books and articles that talk about important social issues. Her most famous book is So You Want to Talk About Race. She has also written for many popular websites and newspapers like The Guardian and Jezebel.
Ijeoma Oluo was born in Denton, Texas. She lives in Seattle, Washington. In 2015, she was named one of the most important people in Seattle. Later, in 2018, she was recognized as one of the 50 most influential women in the city. Her writing often covers topics like racism, feminism, and how different parts of a person's identity (like race and gender) connect. She also writes about online harassment, the Black Lives Matter movement, and parenting.
She became well-known for her articles that discuss race and how women's voices are sometimes not heard. One notable piece was an interview she did in 2017 for The Stranger newspaper.
Contents
Writing Journey
Starting as a Writer
Ijeoma Oluo first worked in technology and digital marketing. She started writing more seriously when she was in her mid-30s. This was after Trayvon Martin passed away in 2012. He was the same age as her son, Malcolm, at that time.
Feeling worried for her son and her younger brother, she began sharing her thoughts on a blog. Before this, her blog was mostly about food. She hoped that sharing personal stories would help her connect with people in her community. This personal approach greatly influenced her writing style.
Important Books
So You Want to Talk About Race
Ijeoma Oluo's book So You Want to Talk about Race came out on January 16, 2018. The New York Times said the book helps people discuss difficult questions about race. These questions include topics like fairness and equality.
Oluo decided to write the book because many people kept asking her similar questions. She hoped a book would help her reach more people than just her online articles. She wanted to create a guide for having important conversations about race.
Bustle magazine praised the book. They called it a "no holds barred writing style." This means she writes very directly and honestly. Harper's Bazaar also listed it as one of the best new books of 2018. They said it was a clear guide to understanding race in America.
Mediocre: The Dangerous Legacy of White Male America
Her second book, Mediocre: The Dangerous Legacy of White Male America, was published on December 1, 2020. This book looks at how the idea of white male power has shaped history and modern life. It explores its effects on politics, jobs, sports, and everyday experiences.
This book was recommended by major publications like Time and The Washington Post. It received positive reviews for its deep analysis.
Other Creative Work
Besides writing, Ijeoma Oluo also gives speeches and tells stories. She has also performed as a stand-up comedian. She was part of a short film in 2016 called Oh, I Get It. This film was shown at several festivals, including the Slamdance Film Festival. It was about her experiences as a comedian.
Oluo is also working on a new book called Be a Revolution. It will be published by HarperCollins.
Achievements and Recognition
Seattle Met magazine named Ijeoma Oluo one of the 50 most influential women in Seattle in 2018. Seattle Magazine also recognized her in 2015 as one of the most influential people in the city. They praised her sharp wit and humor. They also called her "one of Seattle's strongest voices for social justice." Bustle magazine included her on a list of "13 Authors to Watch in 2018."
About Her Life
Ijeoma Oluo was born in Denton, Texas, in 1980. Her father is from Nigeria, and her mother is white and from Kansas. Her younger brother is a jazz musician named Ahamefule J. Oluo. He is married to another Seattle writer, Lindy West.
In 2022, she married the hip-hop artist Gabriel Teodros.
She finished high school at Lynnwood High School in 1999. Later, she earned a degree in political science from Western Washington University in 2007.
She is an atheist and identifies as queer.
See also
In Spanish: Ijeoma Oluo para niños
- Black feminism
- Black Twitter
- Say Her Name
- Womanism
