A review by desdemonarose
When I Was White: A Memoir by Sarah Valentine

challenging emotional reflective slow-paced

5.0

I wasn't sure what to expect when I saw the 3.5 rating that this book had at the time of my reading.  It was really good though.  I am surprised that it didn't rate higher.  Is it a challenging book at times to read, sure.  It's a book about racism and how people who were raised in white American society can cause pain.  The book is honest.  The author is honest with how she was effected, she is honest in where she has also had racism taught to her.  She was raised as if she was white, though much of the rest of the world didn't treat her as white. She learns her truth and has to struggle with it and learn where she is in the world.  She doesn't let the white people in her life define her, as much as they seem to want to, she defines herself.  It's not an easy road for her, but she travels it just the same.  

I really like memoires, so maybe that is part of the reason why I like this book more than the average reviewer.   I have read some where people don't really trust that the author is honest.  I definitely feel like the author is very honest here and I appreciate that a lot.  She is also a talented writer.