Mug of coffee on a square of burlap. A journal and pencil lay next to it. There are coffee beans scattered around the cup and on top of the journal.

The Confidence of Ignorance

It’s really sad when white guys don’t get it. There’s a sui generis difference between the experience of Black Americans … More

A white coffee mug with coffee in it. It has the word "BEGIN" on it, and sits on a wooden table.

#WakingUpWhite Chapter 46: Whole Again

I’ve been blogging with friends as I read through “Waking Up White,” by Debby Irving. We’re committed to reading, thinking, … More

Two women, one white, one Black, are having a conversation with each other. They're seated facing each other at a table next to a large window overlooking an urban setting.

#WakingUpWhite Chapter 45: Normalizing Race Talk

Blogging with friends as I read “Waking Up White” by Debby Irving, committed to read and think and write about … More

Four toddlers forming a circle of friendship

#WakingUpWhite Chapter 44: Listening

Still blogging with my friends as I read “Waking Up White” by Debby Irving, committing ourselves to read and think … More

#WakingUpWhite Chapter 43: From Tolerance to Engagement

I’m blogging, along with several other writers, as I read the book by Debby Irving “Waking Up White.” We’ve committed … More

#WakingUpWhite Chapter 42: Solidarity and Accountability

I’m blogging, along with several others, as I read the book by Debby Irving “Waking Up White.” We’ve committed to … More

A child stands at the bottom of stone steps, considering how to overcome a seemingly impossible challenge.

#WakingUpWhite Chapter 41: From Bystander to Ally

Still reading chapters from Waking Up White, by Debbie Irving, and blogging my responses as I read. Quotes are from … More

#WakingUpWhite Chapter 40: Bull in a China Shop

I’m reading chapters from Waking Up White, by Debbie Irving, and blogging my responses. Quotes are from the book, and … More

#WakingUpWhite Chapter 39: Equality Starts with Equity

I’m going through Debbie Irving’s book Waking Up White, along with several friends, blogging about each chapter as I read … More

A man is checking a map to see where he goes next

#WakingUpWhite Chapter 38: The Rugged Individual

I’m blogging my way through Waking Up White, by Debbie Irving. Along with a few other writers, we’re reading and … More

Boxes and cups and bottles all stacked on shelves

#WakingUpWhite Chapter 37: Boxes and Labels

This is another post in the series Waking Up White, exploring the book by Debby Irving of the same name. … More

People standing and walking down the corridor of a brightly lighted shiny conference hallway

#WakingUpWhite Chapter 36: The Dominant White Culture

Continuing the series of examining whiteness while working through Waking Up White, by Debbie Irving. I’m utterly intrigued by the … More

#WakingUpWhite Chapter 35: If Only You’d Be More Like Me

I’m reading & simultaneously commenting on Debby Irving’s book Waking Up White. Jesus. I mean that in reverence not as … More

Multicolored connector plugs inserted into a control panel.

#WakingUpWhite Chapter 34: Becoming Multicultural

Once again, I’m reading & simultaneously commenting on Debby Irving’s book Waking Up White. This chapter is fire. Creating a … More

#WakingUpWhite Chapter 33: Perception and Fear

Once again, a reminder that this series (“Waking Up White”) is from the book by Debby Irving. I read the … More

#WakingUpWhite Chapter 32: Getting Over Myself

The liberation of letting go of my self-image. Choosing to engage in the effort to dismantle racism promises to bring … More

#WakingUpWhite Chapter 31: Courageous Conversations

Learning to listen and speak across differences Before I start into this chapter, I wanted to update this series on … More

#WakingUpWhite Chapter 30: Feelings and the Culture of Niceness

It’s been a while since my last post (7/29/19!). I’ve been busy over the summer, far busier than I expected. … More

#WakingUpWhite Chapter 29: Intent and Impact

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.

#WakingUpWhite Chapter 28: I Am the Elephant

This chapter explores the meaning behind not only identifying as white (which is simple enough when we check off the … More

#WakingUpWhite Chapter 27: Living into Expectations

This was a fascinating chapter for me, in that I hadn’t really dived into this before: what is it that … More

#WakingUpWhite Chapter 26: Surviving Versus Thriving

In this chapter Ms. Irving recalls a famous experiment conducted in 1968 by Ms. Jane Elliott on a class of … More

Six people participate in a close group hug.

#WakingUpWhite Chapter 25: Belonging

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.”

#WakingUpWhite Chapter 24: Everyone Is Different; Everyone Belongs

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.

#WakingUpWhite Chapter 23: Diversity Training

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.

#WakingUpWhite Chapter 22: Why Do I Always End Up with White People?

Ever wonder why it is that even when good people want to fix things, nothing really gets fixed but a … More

#Waking Up White Chapter 21: Straddling Two Worlds

This chapter is unbelievably relevant, especially in light of the post I put up not six hours ago about my … More