the episode at a glance

Come read this book in community! We’re hosting a book discussion group facilitated by Dr. Jayne Sommers of the University of St. Thomas. Get the details and register at the website.🧡 

I love this book — “White Women: Everything You Already Know About Your Own Racism and How to Do Better” — a lot. And I’ll be honest: I don’t enjoy reading it.

Aaaannnd…white women are not meant to enjoy it.

It’s meant to hurt – not to wound or cause harm, but to open white women to the ways we hurt others — historically yes, but also today through our participation in white supremacy culture. And if you’re a feeling human, knowing you’ve hurt others – and learning that you’ve hurt others through your own words and actions –  should hurt. 

So I thought I’d share what reading this book is like for me because I think my experience as an educated white woman with leadership experience in higher ed will resonate with you.

In short: if you’re delaying reading this book because…you think it doesn’t apply to you because you’re not racist…or you feel some uneasiness about being schooled on your whiteness…or even if you’ve done a lot of DEI work on your campus so you’re not sure you have anything new or more to learn…I hope this episode can help you get over those hurdles, quit delaying, and read the darn book already.

readings and resources

White Supremacy Culture Characteristics: the website. The art is by Melanie Walby; check out her full portfolio.

Ten Ways White Supremacy Culture Hurts White People: A Tale of Mutuality, by Greg Elliott.

A significant book list, courtesy of Christina Holmgren & Jayne Sommers: https://theclareogroup.com/resources

other episodes you’ll enjoy

Episode 47, White Women’s Work: An Invitation, with Jayne Sommers

Episode 26, In Community: Inter-racial Feminist Co-Mentoring, with Christina Holmgren & Jayne Sommers

Episode 9, Unleashing the Power of Diversity by Creating Psychological Safety