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3.98 AVERAGE
3.98 AVERAGE
My Racial Justice Discussion Group read this together and it provided for interesting discussion. We had a hard time relating to Irving, who is a New England WASP who grew up in such a privileged surrounding that her head was in the sand for much of her life. Yet much of what she said did make me think, and I'm reexamining much of what I've experienced/how I behave.
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
In this book, the author chronicles her burgeoning awareness of how her actions impacted people of color in a negative way and what she has done in the meantime to change. She talks about her childhood growing up in the 1960s in an affluent suburban Boston neighborhood that involved summers at a beach in Maine and frequent outings to a country club. While some of her early experiences are far different from mine, her exploration into the invisible privileges certain races (mainly those of European descent) are afforded that go back decades were eye-opening. I come from a multinational and multiracial family. I thought I was open and inclusive but I now recognize through this book that my privilege allowed me to benefit in ways I hadn't even considered.
I wanted to like it. The content is so important. But I don’t relate to her telling of it. Too anecdotal and too wordy. I just couldn’t get excited during the reading or stay connected because of the writing style. Felt very much like text book writing.
This book has “awakened” me. It has opened my eyes and has given me a starting point understanding systemic racism, bias, privilege and a new perspective on how I need to walk in this world as an ally. This author used her own journey and re-emphasizes the power of sharing your story and the power of listening. I liked her writing style and her questions for reflection at the conclusion of each chapter. It has left me wanting to dig deeper and to learn more.
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
reflective
medium-paced
This book offered a really accessible way to reflect on my own, and other’s, Whiteness and the privilege that comes with it. I appreciated the author’s stories that chronicled her journey of moving from being a “fixer” of others to a collaborator able to engage in difficult conversations about race and privilege and acceptance. A great read!