Name: Matthew Royal's review of Waking Up White, and Finding Myself in the Story of Race by Debby Irving
Item: Waking Up White, and Finding Myself in the Story of Race
Rating: 3
Author: Matthew Royal

Debby Irving

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.

Waking Up White, and Finding Myself in the Story of Race

Karen Shimek

Matthew Royal

One white woman's story about getting woke on race.

There aren't a lot of *new* ideas in this book, but it's a good personal account of eyes opening to systemic racism from a person who didn't believe she had a race, or that race was really an issue any more, or thought that our culture is a pure meritocracy. 

This is a good intro book to gift *that* friend, and for us white people, a good reminder to be aware of our own culture, biases, and to see the impacts of historical racism on today's societal infrastructure.

Karen Shimek &
Waking Up White, and Finding Myself in the Story of Race by Debby Irving

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Karen Shimek &Waking Up White, and Finding Myself in the Story of Race by Debby Irving

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Join the club

Karen Shimek &
Waking Up White, and Finding Myself in the Story of Race by Debby Irving