writing the journey
The process of “waking up white” isn’t just to be aware of whiteness. It is to wake up, and then to leave it. To go to something that’s better and more life-affirming and full of health. And to not even be sure where the destination is, but with the calm assurance that it’s out there.
This is a prescient verse from 3000 years or so ago: “And if it seem evil unto you to serve … More
Before this day in 1957, Hazel Massery (white) had never met Elizabeth Eckford (Black). After this day, they did not … More
This chapter explores the meaning behind not only identifying as white (which is simple enough when we check off the … More
Today is June 19th, a day when we remember that our American experiment with freedom included over 200 years of … More
This was a fascinating chapter for me, in that I hadn’t really dived into this before: what is it that … More
Good words about the necessity of hands and feet working out the effects of the Gospel on hearts and minds. … More
In this chapter Ms. Irving recalls a famous experiment conducted in 1968 by Ms. Jane Elliott on a class of … More
Goodness, there is great wisdom here about how to be. via Great Expectations (image: kingstown, st. vincent by reynolds beal)
This chapter is about the tendency of white folks to feel like they belong everywhere. Ms. Irving focuses on the school environment, because she was a volunteer or participant at so many levels, including being on committees to help bring about and embrace “diversity.”
We need to do the right things when we can, but it is critically important that we continually reevaluate whether we’re really doing the right things. We might not be able to wait until we have all the data before we try to make changes, but we absolutely must be willing to reexamine our efforts and even our understandings.
More than having a map, a method, and motive, grasping what race and racialism in America will involve something deeper than just a way to work things out.
Some good thoughts about intentions vs. impact. via Your Good Intentions Don’t Make Things Not Racist
Ever wonder why it is that even when good people want to fix things, nothing really gets fixed but a … More
via Six Freedoms Black People Do Not Have Under a White Supremacy I highly recommend you take a look at … More
This chapter is unbelievably relevant, especially in light of the post I put up not six hours ago about my … More
So here’s what’s going down… Some of you might know that I’ve been thinking about and writing about issues of … More
“You know, we’re trying to focus on programs that serve Boston’s inner-city youth. If you could develop a vision that … More
“… I returned … with my childhood ideas about a level playing field, a world teeming with opportunity, and myself … More
This blog post is so powerful, and speaks so deeply into my heart, and is just so much where I … More
We talk about the things that are important to us, or we talk about the things that are completely unimportant … More
“How it was possible that I was both a ‘good person’ and utterly clueless.” It’s possible because being “good” does … More
“The monumental cognitive task of processing the millions of pieces of information that flood us daily requires that we sort … More
“One of the most powerful tools of racism is stories.” More broadly, all history is stories, sometimes told in a … More
The fact that the playing field is not level means that life experiences are not merely different, but unequal and … More
A reminder that toxicity and destruction are directed against many of the beloved. A reminder that we all must continue … More
“We were pushed hard to be cognizant of what we did and did not notice. And most importantly, why?” This … More
