Witnessing Whiteness: First Steps Toward an Antiracist Practice and Culture

by Shelly Tochluk

Witnessing Whiteness invites educators to consider what it means to be white, describes and critiques strategies used to avoid race issues, and identifies the detrimental effect of avoiding race on cross-race collaborations. The author illustrates how racial discomfort leads white educators toward ineffective teaching pedagogy and poor relationships with students and colleagues of color.

Questioning the implications our history has for educational institutions, school reform efforts, and diversity initiatives, this book considers political, economic, socio-cultural, and legal histories that shaped the meanings associated with whiteness. Drawing on dialogue with well-known figures within education, race, and multicultural work, the book offers intimate, personal stories of cross-race friendships that address both how a deep understanding of whiteness supports cross-race collaboration and the long-term nature of the work of excising racism from the deep psyche.

Concluding chapters offer practical information on building knowledge, skills, capacities, and communities that support anti-racism practices, a hopeful look at our collective future, and a discussion of how to create a culture of witnessing educators who support allies for social and racial justice.

Genres: Race, Nonfiction, Anti Racist, Social Justice, Education, Activism, Justice

354 pages, Paperback

Published November 16, 2007

Reviews

[Joe Henry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I undertook to read this book with a church school class.

I felt more resistance earlier on...like in Part 1, where chapters 1-2-3 are entitled: Naming the Problem, Facing the Dis-ease, and Uncovering a Hidden History. I recognize that I have been among the many who haven't experienced much or been aware of experiencing much or given much thought to what she is talking about. I wasn't forced to, I reckon--and, lo, verily, this is part of what is pointed to as "white privilege." (People of color are not privileged so much to ignore the presence and effect of racism in our communities across the nation.) So, especially early on, it seemed there was vocabulary and there were concepts presented that were somewhat new and unfamiliar, not to mention uncomfortable. I was somewhat prone to quibble and carp.

By the time, she got to Part 2, however, she began to include a heavy dose of interview material, mainly from "cross-race" relationships. For me this was rather more illuminating and helpful. I thought it was pretty effective. It led me to dwell on the fact that in my life journey I have had not a great many opportunities for cross-race relationships, and I didn't take great advantage of the opportunities I did have. My loss.

In Part 3, she makes her case for what it means to witness whiteness and gives some very practical suggestions about how to go about it. Should I call it inspirational? Challenging? Let the one who has ears, hear....

Bottom Line: This book seems like a milestone for me. I have a feeling that in the future I'll be looking back at this book as one that prodded, encouraged, and got me thinking and going on a road previously not taken so much.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three star book that inspired five star discussion.

[Charissa Shepard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tochluk's writing is definitely highly intellectualized and, in more than a few places, excessively wordy. This style is a good fit for most privileged white Americans (of which I am one). I think this was the goal, so her style should not count against her. I personally felt more connection with the personal accounts and conversations and with the psychological discussions especially when they included references to Carl Jung or Hecate. Sometimes I got lost among the forest of words and had to muscle my way out, but the progress I made working through my own whiteness and my understanding of my anti-racist white identity more than made up for any critiques I could possibly level.
I was prompted to examine and re-examine many times as I read and found that it worked well as a discussion book in our Groundwork group. I would highly recommend this book be ingested with other people and in the context of current events in your own city/town/state/country. Groundwork is a program run by the YWCA of Tulsa (and other places perhaps?) that provides an all-white space to process through this book.
If you can join a Groundwork group in your area, I would recommend it as a stepping stone in your learning, but it is not an end point. As this book opines, there really is no end point to the (internal) struggle, but waking up to it and choosing the struggle is what we need to do before we can get to the real work of racial justice. It sounds daunting, but only if you try to do it alone. Join us! You may be surprised how many of us are already here.

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been reading this book as part of a group at work over the past few months. Overall, I think it is a great group organizer to introduce the concept of antiracism and more historically accurate information to general white folks.

For me, however, there was not much new in the book. The history was familiar, the concepts are known; I did find the group discussions useful. I also like the hope that Tochluk brings to dismantling individualistic, mertitocratic, colonialist culture (whether or not we label it "white"). Along with my other reading, it provides reminders to be curious (and not combative) and supportive when I can when engaging with those less fortunate (whether they are people of color or not), while maintaining my humility (I don't know what is best for someone else).

I think it is a good opening for white folks who are curious about antiracism; it is not as scary or harsh as Ta'nehisi Coates or Ibram Kendi, instead Tochluk allows for growth and understanding.

[Maryanne]

Great info... Not my favorite writing style

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a helpful book to read, but at the same time, since it was written in 2007, it doesn't have any of the urgency that the present-day race crisis in our country (and in our world) calls for. The things that I would fault this book for--being too gentle, being too beginner--are things that the author directly addresses in the introduction of the book, so it's clear that Tochluk is writing a specific book for a specific purpose. The thing is--this is a book written for people who want to acknowledge white privilege and want to do better and be better. This is not the book I keep looking for--one that will convince people who do not believe that white privilege or systemic racism exist--but maybe that book doesn't exist yet? The "Hecate" metaphor woven throughout grew excessively tiresome, and while the action steps at the end of the book were helpful, I still found myself wanting more from this book.

[Em · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh. I read this one because my partner is in a WW discussion group and I wanted to discuss the book with them. Definitely not the best antiracist book I've read this year, and I'm a little skeptical of the (white) author's opinions. But, I did appreciate the abundance of real-life examples, dialogues, and discussion questions. I think I might have gotten more out of this if I could have joined a WW discussion group myself.

[Patricia Lott · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found the book to be an interesting read. I knew after the introduction that the bok was not written for my demographic. I wanted to see the way in which the writer was going. I found that this walks an interesting line and actually will help those who will let down their resistance and self fortified walls to for a positive identity formation as well as embrace the culture without dismissing the culture of others. I fear that this work will push away many of those who would benefit the most because of those said walls. I also fear that many will oversympathize with other cultures to the point of missing the point which is to embrace one's own culture without dismissing the culture of others. I love the way she tackles "colorblind" I was like, "She got it" to blind yourself to my and my culture and my ourney is to be dismissive of the same. I love that she covered so many of the microaggressions that many do not realize that they are still perpetuating while claiming to not be racist. I applaud her for tackling unintentional racism in a way that does not attack but teach. All and I think that I will use it as a suggected reading in a couple of the classes I teach and referr this book to some of my friends who would maybe be more receptive hearing it in thsi form.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

"One criticism involves the tendency to use the noun “ally” as a label. Some argue that the term can be taken to mean that once someone achieves the status of an ally that the person has reached a sufficient level of consciousness across the board and can discontinue internal work. For this reason, I tend to speak of doing effective ally work as opposed to becoming an ally."

As this is literally a textbook, there were some sections I had difficulty wading through. The first section went over some ground that I was already pretty familiar with from other anti-racism books I've read recently.

What sets this book apart from others are the in
-depth interviews she conducts with a variety of people from different backgrounds. I also really appreciated that the last book contained concrete guidelines for ways to speak out about the subtle (and not-so-subtle) racist comments we hear in our everyday lives. This felt like a good resource compared to some other books which present all of the problems, but fail to suggest constructive actions.

This book will be an excellent tool for any white person on their journey toward anti-racist behavior.

[Joy Weese Moll · Rating 5 out of 5]

Witnessing Whiteness blends memoir, scholarship, and depth psychology to help white people see and reflect on our whiteness. Whiteness can be hard to see for white people, since it dominates our society. We’re like fish searching for water. Witnessing Whiteness guides us to opened vision by revealing history that we weren’t taught in school and illuminating how present-day experiences of people of color differ from our own. With that background, we can enter into conversations about race with a strong foundation of understanding.

More thoughts, including how to get connected with groups of people in the St. Louis area that meet twice a month for ten sessions to engage in facilitated exercises based on the on-line curriculum that accompanies the book, on my blog: Witnessing Whiteness

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

In many ways this is a great introductory instructive book to help us see race differently. The main and biggest idea is an important perspective shift to see white as a race and thus how that race has impacted history, race relations, and continues to perpetuate racism and division in the US. However, the author often uses a narcissistic voice and an illustrative style that I found ultimately alienating. I read this book in conjunction with a 10 session long support group facilitated through my local YWCA. The combination of the book, group, and facilitators was a profoundly moving and perspective shifting experience from I will be forever changed and grateful. I cannot imagine, however, getting past the writing style issues in the book had I not had more important reasons to finish each chapter.

[Judith Mowry]

This book is blowing my mind. Shelly Tochluk's journey toward being a conscious antiracism activist is so similar to my own and it all rings true. Fantastic book for those interested in learning more about how to personally work to end racism

[El Dubbs · Rating 2 out of 5]

Insightful at times, but would not be a book I recommend exactly. It's useful as a learning tool in conjunction with a "Witnessing Whiteness" group (which was available through my local YWCA). Also: way too much purple prose. Seriously. Editor, where were you...?

[Emily Olds · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read a lot of books about race and racism. This one was a game changer. While at first I was a little put off by the references to mythology-- Hecate, more specifically-- I let that discomfort go and listened instead to the incredibly helpful insights about whiteness. I had several moments of epiphany. Hearing that white people state their opinions as fact was a big one for me-- as a teacher of writing I have literally been COACHING my students to state their opinions as fact. Also helpful were the interviews with people in cross-racial personal relationships. I saw facets of myself in the white interviewees and came to understand even more deeply the level of distrust, frustration and hurt that can be part of these friendships, as well as the opportunities for growth, understanding and solidarity. As a teacher of English language learners, I know that we white Americans need cross-racial friendships. Tochluk frequently quotes from mythologist Michael Mead, and this quote from him sums up my favorite takeaway: "Ultimately, people have to learn to trust in people unlike themselves because the difference, the 'otherness,' is also the medicine for the illness one inherits. That's how I see it. People unlike oneself turn out to be carrying the medicines one's own tribe doesn't have, or else has lost. Some of the best healing I've found for those wounds has been with people from other cultures dealing with similar damages. Mutual healing is the hope that I have for America. But it depends upon cracking the white shell-- the shell of white thinking." Witnessing Whiteness is a good tool for cracking that shell.

[Marion Irwin · Rating 3 out of 5]

The information here points to a huge gap I had in understanding how thorough the racist system is. That being said, it was hard going, both because the writing is not particularly flowing, and the information is extremely disturbing.

That being said, I read this as part of a class and that effort has been productive- I do feel that until our voting rights, economic system and criminal justice system is fully reformed, we will continue to harm not only the people of color in the United States, but also all people who suffer by being allowed to use hatred as a way to differentiate themselves, while the few who truly benefit walk away with all the prizes, leaving healthcare, education, housing and employment to disintegrate.

[Molly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has a lot of important ideas, and it often made me reconsider my thoughts on race and what it means to be white. However, the writing was dry and non-specific, which made reading it not very enjoyable. Tochluk would describe a situation in vague terms, perhaps in an effort to be considerate to the subjects of the situation, but it was hard to relate to the stories when they were described this way. I would still recommend this book to start the conversation around how to talk about race, especially for white folks who have not done a lot of thinking about this topic before - though I also don't think it would convince anyone of its message who didn't already think it was important.

Also: unexpectedly kinda pagan. Repeated references to Hecate? I'm on board.

[cara · Rating 1 out of 5]

Tochluck comes across as immensely self-involved. Like Robin DiAngelo, she positions herself as an ~enlightened~ white woman; like DiAngelo, she is profiting financially from ostensibly “antiracist” work.
Some of the questions she poses for individual/group reflection do seem generative, but the book as a whole—its conceited, slightly neurotic tone; its focus on a “witnessing”/seeing/perception that doesn’t really *go* anywhere; its willingness, at least at first, to coddle the reader; its lack of urgency and fire behind every word— does not rise to the challenge of white-person-to-white-person race talk.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Witnessing Whiteness: First Steps Toward an Antiracist Practice and Culture (Paperback)
by Shelly Tochluk







White by Law: The Legal Construction of Race
Constructing The Self, Constructing America: A Cultural History Of Psychotherapy

[Rima · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book for a workshop at my workplace and it was okay. I'm not white so this book really isn't written for me. It was kind of strange reading this book....

I really enjoyed the history chapter and thought that had a lot of good information. The rest of the book was a little outdated in my view and a bit too focused on white feelings. Like I didn't care for it but again this book wasn't written for me.

Anyways, it gets three stars for trying but overall I would recommend the book "So You Want to Talk About Race" as it mentions everything this book does but way better.

[Kellie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommend reading this book with a group of individuals. It helped me shape an understanding of the history of whiteness and depths of cross-racial relationship. Actually, it taught me a heck of a lot more that that. I appreciate that there is something for most people in this book. Shelly starts with historical framework and research, shifts to her dissertation on whiteness and relationship, and ends with practical steps for application. This is definitely one of the most impactful books I have read this year, maybe ever.

[Maddie]

Read for the Witnessing Whiteness workshop, and I think the discussions we had were far more valuable than the book itself. The book brought up some thought-provoking points, and I definitely learned from reading it. Overall, the book dragged on, and the author made broad generalizations or jumped to conclusions without explaining why, which made it frustrating to read at points. I think I will seek out more recently published anti-racism books going forward to gain broader perspectives that are more relevant to the current social climate.

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first edition, published in 2008. I would be curious to know what changes Tochluk made in the second edition. I especially appreciated the chapter on the history of the white race in North America and how whites came to power. I've read some of this elsewhere but I thought she did a good job of pulling this information together. This historical context is part of what is missing in books like White Fragility. Although written primarily for educators, this book really is useful for any white person trying to learn more about white privilege and becoming an antiracist.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book as part of a discussion group. Embracing the idea that if white people don't talk about race (with people of color and other whites) there can be no change is important, but challenging. This is a practical starting point that allows people to have hard conversations and reflect on their own experiences and assumptions. It feels especially timely now, after the 8 year Obama presidency and the backlash of the 2016 election.

[Lee Shaver · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tochluk is a powerful and convicting voice for white folks just starting to open their eyes to our collective blindness to race and racism in our daily lives, and our active participation in racist systems. The book is well researched and I look forward to reading several of the books and essays referenced here.

[Kristen Spencer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I hope every white person reads this book. It was very enlightening and thought provoking. I thankfully learned a lot about white privilege during my time in social work school. However, there is still so much to learn. The chapter about the history of whiteness was so, so good. I cannot recommend this book enough.

[Vincent · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were some good points made by the author and there were some points that I disagreed with, which is the case with this type of work. Well thought out and I appreciate her desire to understand and to help with social justice issues from a white perspective. I really enjoyed how she outlines and dissects "white culture" and what it is from her point of view.

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

A must read for white people. The writing style leaves much to be desired, but the information and topic is vital to being an anti-racist white person. I'd recommend reading it in a book club where you can discuss each chapter with discussion questions from online.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a helpful perspective on white privilege and what to do about it, written by a white person for white people. It's kind of academic; not an easy read, but worth it. A group of us from my professional association read this & had an online book discussion that was really good.

[Carol Fitzsimmons]

Read this in conjunction with a facilitated discussion through the YWCA which was so valuable. While I struggled with the format of the book, I loved the ideas the book brought to a healthy and productive discussion about race struggles and the role of white people.

[Emily · Rating 2 out of 5]

There were some good points in this book, but it felt as though there were two different books in one that needed to be teased out to be fully useful. Also, there were a few grating tropes that the author used (not related to race). There are better books to read on the topic.