Waking Up White, and Finding Myself in the Story of Race

The author makes no bones about the fact that she has had and will have much to learn before her journey of understanding her white self is anywhere near complete. I liked the style and I also appreciate that her voice speaks to us not as "you--gentle reader," but rather, "Me. And perhaps you too." Those who write this incredibly personal and fearless author off as someone who is telling us what we already know, or as 'too paralyzed by her own white guilt' to teach us anything, are ironically guilty of the exact things she is chiefly discussing. Namely, thinking we know how best others should react to very complex issues of race. She only mildly examines what is going on inside of the heads of those she may have disregarded. She is not, however--afraid to examine what has been going on inside her head all these years. That takes guts and it is what too many of us are uncomfortable doing.

I read this book in December 2018 on the recommendation of a person from my church. I am finally getting around to writing a review because of the murder February 23, 2020 of Ahmaud Arbery by two white men who shot him while he was jogging. The men were not arrested until May 7. 2020 – 10 and a half weeks later. I’ve seen a number of posting that basically say “Those two bigots are evil and deserve to be thrown into jail. Why can’t the bigots be like me and care for everyone.” That would have been my reaction before I read this book.I have always thought of myself as one of the good guy, fighting for the rights of Black Americans. This is how Debby Irving thought of herself. The book is about her journey of discovery that brought to the understanding that some of the things she was doing to “help” black America were actually having the opposite affect. Debbie grew up in a predominately white upper middle class community, like I did.In her mission to help Blacks she set up activities to help Blacks become more like her and was frustrated that it didn’t work. This led her to deeply examine her history and the history of racism in American.My eyes were opened to how the GI bill after WW II was basically for whites only. It allowed whites to get educated, purchase homes and move into the middle class. It enabled whites to start building generational wealth. The million blacks who served in WW II were – for all intents and purposes – excluded from using the benefits of the GI Bill. On top of this was discovering how loan funding after WWII was limited for redlined areas – which were defined as areas with high concentrations of Blacks – which resulted in the decay of black neighborhoods.In her journey she comes to realized that as a white person she doesn’t have to think about how being white will affect society’s reaction to her. For Blacks everyday they have to think about being Black will be perceived. She didn’t have to think about race because as a white person it didn’t matter. She is a part of the majority White America.Even things that we think of as conversation starters – such as “What do you for a living” are viewed negatively by Black as they are loaded with a meaning that I did not see.The book made me aware of the responsibility that I have to stand up to racism in a way that empowers minority communities. And more importantly how I am responsible to avoid actions which perpetuate the continuing racism in America.

The author shares her insight from her own (sometimes awkward) attempts to understand race in America; what white privilege is and how it affects everyone's lives. How whites benefit from it and how African Americans suffer underneath it. How we take our jobs, schools, homes, friendships for granted. How the lives of those without such privilege are affected.One of the points made that I had never thought about is the impact of the benefits we reap due to generation after generation of white privilege. My father went to college on the GI Bill. A benefit largely denied to African American veterans. My parents bought their first home with a VA Home Loan, a loan largely denied to minority veterans. I had no idea about either of these privileges but I can certainly see how I am continuing to reap the benefits of something (many things) that happened for my family 79+ years ago and continue to benefit me and my children today.The author offers plenty of questions as food for thought to help the reader think through this important and sensitive issue. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Very good read. Good book for self reflection. I would recommend this book for anyone to read. Must read for any discussion of race.

What an uncomfortable book, but oh my goodness, how important it is. Every white person should read this book. Our country really needs to grasp the part racism plays in all our lives.

In the midst of the BLM movement I wanted a book that would shed light on the white experience in relation to race. Micro-aggression and how to be a better anti-racist ally. White privilege narrows our view of experience in so many ways. This book is educational and gets you thinking about how to can unlearn age old social patterns regarding race. I particularly liked the chapter breakdown with is sectioned under various topics. This makes the book easy to digest as well as the thought provoking questions in each section that encourage you to make notes and think about relevant examples in your own life. Definitely one of the books I've not heard about as much. Would highly recommend.

This is a must read for anyone willing to learn and interested in equality and/or social cohesion.As Peggy McIntosh says in her review.. it will hopefully take some of us from 'white oblivion to white awareness'.I'd particularly encourage those working in Human Resources/Organisations to read it.Thank you Debbie.

GREAT BOOK! Being a non-US born and raised (no blacks in my home town, few in my country), but I could totally relate and found my own prejudices challenged and questioned. An important book.

I haven't finished reading this book yet, but so far it's impressive! If you are working in the area of diversity/anti-racism, it is particularly useful in posing appropriate questions and exercises at the end of each chapter. It is also a very useful perspective in discussing race and racism.

This book is definitely worth reading. It really explains how racism started and how we got to where we are today. Also, what we can do about it.