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Debby Irving

Waking Up White, and Finding Myself in the Story of Race Paperback – Illustrated, January 9, 2014

by Debby Irving (Author)

1,814 ratings

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For twenty-five years, Debby Irving sensed inexplicable racial tensions in her personal and professional relationships. As a colleague and neighbor, she worried about offending people she dearly wanted to befriend. As an arts administrator, she didn't understand why her diversity efforts lacked traction. As a teacher, she found her best efforts to reach out to students and families of color left her wondering what she was missing. Then, in 2009, one "aha!" moment launched an adventure of discovery and insight that drastically shifted her worldview and upended her life plan. In Waking Up White, Irving tells her often cringe-worthy story with such openness that readers will turn every page rooting for her-and ultimately for all of us.

Print length

288 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Elephant Room Press
Publication date

January 9, 2014
Dimensions

6 x 0.65 x 9 inches
ISBN-10

0991331303
ISBN-13

978-0991331307
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Debby Irving's powerful Waking Up White opens a rare window on how white Americans are socialized. Irving's focus on the mechanics of racism operating in just one life -- her own -- may lead white readers to reconsider the roots of their own perspectives -- and their role in dismantling old myths. Readers of color will no doubt find the view through Irving's window fascinating, and telling." -- Van Jones, author, Rebuild The Dream, The Green Collar Economy: How One Solution Can Fix Our Two Biggest Problems; President, Rebuild The Dream; Co-host, CNN Crossfire

"Waking up White is a brutally honest, unflinching exploration of race and personal identity, told with heart by a truly gifted storyteller. Much as Irving's family sought to shield her from the contours of the nation's racial drama, so too do far too many white Americans continue to do the same. For their sakes, and ours, let's hope Irving's words spark even more truth-telling. They certainly have the power to do so." -- Tim Wise, author, White Like Me: Reflections on Race from a Privileged Son

"I read Waking Up White in one sitting. To say I loved it is an understatement. It's such a raw, honest portrait .... Irving's experience on display - warts and all - will help white people, who haven't noticed the role systemic privilege has played in their lives, start to see the world in a new way." -- Jodi Picoult, author, The Storyteller, My Sister's Keeper

Irving's personal and moving tale takes us on an adventure to a world utterly new to her as she wakes up to the reality of how, without her knowledge or active pursuit, she lives in a society which is set up to reward her at the expense of people of color. I cannot imagine a more understandable and compelling invitation to learn about how racism lives on in our homes, communities, and nation. -- Bishop Gene Robinson, Retired Episcopal Bishop of New Hampshire and Senior Fellow at the Center for American Progress, Washington, DC

"Deborah Irving's Waking Up White is a courageous, insightful, and critical contribution to awareness of race in the United States. A virtual one-woman Truth and Reconciliation Commission, Deborah's journey from an 'ah-ha' instant to consciousness is a journey for all Americans." -- Thomas Shapiro, author, The Hidden Cost of Being African American; Director, Institute on Assets and Social Policy

From the Author

Dear readers - Thank you so much for your interest in Waking Up White. I hope it will give you or someone you know new insights into how racism works and why you (or white people you know) can get so anxious when it comes to talking about race and racism. Writing the book was not only my way to reach out to other white people confused and/or curious about racism, it was like writing a five-year long journal entry in an effort to make sense of all I learned and experienced in my research. Happy reading ~ Debby

Product details

Publisher : Elephant Room Press; Illustrated edition (January 9, 2014)
Language : English
Paperback : 288 pages
ISBN-10 : 0991331303
ISBN-13 : 978-0991331307
Item Weight : 13.6 ounces
Dimensions : 6 x 0.65 x 9 inches

Customer Reviews:
1,814 ratings

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Top reviews from the United States

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Ludwig

not because you have bad intentions, but because you grew up in a ...

Reviewed in the United States on May 2, 2018

Verified Purchase

This book is not a "problems/solutions/let's-do-better" book about racism. Instead it asks you to widen your window on YOURSELF, not because you have bad intentions, but because you grew up in a CULTURE that tilts towards white-skinned people. This culture was embedded in you, if you are white/light skinned, since you were a toddler. Until you understand this "embedment process", it will affect many of your decisions, even if you are a committed racial-equality-activist! Such an introspective examination, though often uncomfortable, is a pathway to being part of a REAL solution, instead of being part of the problem. In this dynamic, you are a participant regardless of your politics. Rarely does one get such a gift from a book. Read it, if you dare!

105 people found this helpful

Helpful

Waking UP SLOWLY

Please, not this book!

Reviewed in the United States on October 20, 2018

Verified Purchase

If you white and are looking to explore race with the desire to understand the white/black divide, your won whiteness and how it impacts your world view, there are other, more helpful books to read than this one—please read one or more of the following: White Fragility by Robin Diangelo, I'm Still Here by Austin Channing Brown and/or White Rage by Carol Anderson. These books, unlike this book, will be a great help in your exploration.

89 people found this helpful

Helpful

Gale Myers

Interesting but rather naive. The author speaks from a ...

Reviewed in the United States on April 30, 2017

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Interesting but rather naive. The author speaks from a high degree of wealth and privilege that may be off-putting to some readers. Many insights seem more class- than race-related.

126 people found this helpful

Helpful

Steven Allen

Too close to home.

Reviewed in the United States on November 25, 2016

Verified Purchase

I love/hated this book. I grew up in the South during Jim Crow, and though I believed I had overcome much of the stuff I learned growing up the book made me realize I have a long way to go. I hope it's not to late for me.

107 people found this helpful

Helpful

CLDean

Life Altering

Reviewed in the United States on May 5, 2016

Verified Purchase

As an African American woman I can truly say. She gets it. She really gets it. I think this is a must read for everyone.

185 people found this helpful

Helpful

Lillian B.Werner

An Awakening

Reviewed in the United States on November 3, 2015

Verified Purchase

Excellent account of they many ways "White Privilege" is manifested every day, in every way imagined, without people being consciously aware of it.
Being able to first acknowledge this fact, is an accomplishment. Beyond that, being willing to share this with the world, through this book, shows great courage, and provides a pathway to an increased understanding of this systemic practice, as it continues today.

As a person of color, I don't expect "White people" to carry the burden of what started long ago. That's not what I want you to gain from reading this book. I just want you to be able to acknowledge, by God, these things really did happen; they continue to happen today; this is wrong; how can we as a nation change this...together.

163 people found this helpful

Helpful

IthacaNancy

Great For Adjusting Perspective

Reviewed in the United States on November 18, 2016

Verified Purchase

Although I have a masters degree in social work and each of our courses addressed issues of class and race, this book still helped me recognize times when I misstepped and let me anxiety about race interfere with a real connection. I think it is a helpful book for the many who may not have had a close relationship with people of color and who may need help seeing the many ways we misunderstand and disrespect them. I read this in conjunction with a study group, and the discussion was very helpful. It reads quickly and the discussion questions are useful for the group or individual contemplation.

55 people found this helpful

Helpful

A Mom

Wow! I am pretty much horrified

Reviewed in the United States on November 20, 2018

Verified Purchase

As a non-American living in New England this book explains much to me about the reason Old New England families tend to horrify me with their overt privilege, their startling racism, and their self aggrandizement. It does not help me to be a better human. In fact, I was often outraged by this book, by the ridiculous parallels she attempts to create. Her analogies are so trite, it’s quite unbearable. If I hadn’t purchased the audible there would be NO WAY I could have read this book in its entirety.

The positive: it has given me the opportunity to discuss white privilege with my children while also explaining ableism, the fact that this does exist, and why 28% of people still believe in the horror that Trump right now.

25 people found this helpful

Helpful

Top reviews from other countries

Lucy

Educational book on how to better understand the topic of race as a white woman

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 21, 2020

Verified Purchase

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.

Frodefox

GREAT BOOK! Being a non-US born and raised (no ...

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 24, 2017

Verified Purchase

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.

One person found this helpful

S Roberts

Amazing book...

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 27, 2018

Verified Purchase

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.

One person found this helpful

Amazon Customer

it is particularly useful in posing appropriate questions and exercises at the end ...

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 22, 2015

Verified Purchase

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.

One person found this helpful

Marlene

Understanding racism

Reviewed in Canada on February 3, 2019

Verified Purchase

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.

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