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White Awake: An Honest Look at What It Means to Be White
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Daniel Hill will never forget the day he heard these words: "Daniel, you may be white, but don't let that lull you into thinking you have no culture. White culture is very real. In fact, when white culture comes in contact with other cultures, it almost always wins. So it would be a really good idea for you to learn about your culture." Confused and unsettled by this encou
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Rachel Benzine
Yes there is! The author bases this book in Biblical truths; as such, the Bible is referenced in every chapter.
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Start your review of White Awake: An Honest Look at What It Means to Be White
"I must confess that over the past few years I have been gravely disappointed with the white moderate. I have almost reached the regrettable conclusion that the Negro's great stumbling block in his stride toward freedom is not the White Citizen's Counciler or the Ku Klux Klan, but the white moderate... who constantly says: 'I agree with you in the goal you seek, but I cannot agree with your methods of direct actions'; who paternalistically believes he can set the timetable for another man's free
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November 2018
It's been 7 months since I initially reviewed this book. I wanted to give the author, Daniel Hill, as much credit and benefit of the doubt as possible. At the time, I took the positives out of the book, didn't focus too much on the negatives, left a 3 star review, and continued to pray for God's wisdom.
I've realized that despite the good contained in this book, I fundamentally disagree with the book's premise and analysis. So I'm updating my review. My original review will be left b ...more
It's been 7 months since I initially reviewed this book. I wanted to give the author, Daniel Hill, as much credit and benefit of the doubt as possible. At the time, I took the positives out of the book, didn't focus too much on the negatives, left a 3 star review, and continued to pray for God's wisdom.
I've realized that despite the good contained in this book, I fundamentally disagree with the book's premise and analysis. So I'm updating my review. My original review will be left b ...more
Short Review: If possible I would make this a 4.5 star book, but I am rounding up for importance.
Part of what I have come to understand over the past several years is how much as a White man, I can point to other people as having culture and simply say of myself and others like me, that, 'this is the way it is'. Other people have a culture, implicitly Whites often say we just have reality. Whiteness has become normative.
Part of the importance of this book is that the exploration of what it mea ...more
Part of what I have come to understand over the past several years is how much as a White man, I can point to other people as having culture and simply say of myself and others like me, that, 'this is the way it is'. Other people have a culture, implicitly Whites often say we just have reality. Whiteness has become normative.
Part of the importance of this book is that the exploration of what it mea ...more
Things to know about this book:
This book isn’t just from a Christian perspective, but from a Protestant, more Evangelical perspective (this is not a good or bad thing, just helpful to know if, like me, you did not grow up Christian, or, like my friend, you grew up Catholic).
This book was written by a white man and there is no indication in the book of where the money from book sales went. It is problematic for white people to be paid to talk about anti-racism, because it means that white people ...more
This book isn’t just from a Christian perspective, but from a Protestant, more Evangelical perspective (this is not a good or bad thing, just helpful to know if, like me, you did not grow up Christian, or, like my friend, you grew up Catholic).
This book was written by a white man and there is no indication in the book of where the money from book sales went. It is problematic for white people to be paid to talk about anti-racism, because it means that white people ...more
Stunning. This incisive and evocative book struck at an issue that I've been trying to ocme to grips with and explain but failing miserably. Pastor Hill walks through six stages of a White Christian understanding racial privilege and the role of reconciliation in the church. With personal stories, careful Scripture interpretation, and a rich selection of research from sociologists, theologians, and current events, this book feels deeply grounded. Hill is determined to spark a focused reflection
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I feel weird about this book. I read it in hopes of continuing a dialogue on race with my conservative family members. And I think the point stands: conservative, white Christians aren’t going to listen to anyone but a white dude.
But so much of this narrative is centered around the writer’s experience that it feels icky. I don’t know. It feels like a good starter book on the topic, but it’s also a white dude profiting off of a conversation that should be centering marginalized voices instead.
But so much of this narrative is centered around the writer’s experience that it feels icky. I don’t know. It feels like a good starter book on the topic, but it’s also a white dude profiting off of a conversation that should be centering marginalized voices instead.
Oh, where to begin with this one. I wrestled my way through this book only to find myself more confused than I was going in. Little to no Scriptural support or how Scripture and the Gospel speaks to the topic. Also appeared that Daniel assumed his point often and relied more on anecdotal evidence/stories to further his point. And, in so many ways, it begged more questions than it answered. What evidence for white privilege is there? What about black privilege? Or hispanic privilege? And, he neve
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Get this off your endlessly growing TBR shelf and buy a copy ASAP.
This book was so helpful & eye opening to me as a white Christian seeking to navigate race & racism. I was humbled & challenged & encouraged by this book. I recommend this book to all white believers! I gave it 4 stars because I disagree with the chapter discussing shame & honor as an inferior worldview. I truly believe shame & honor is a biblically rooted worldview that has been twisted by sin but can be redeemed. However the rest of Hill’s theology was biblically rich & helpful.
Maybe the most important book I’ve read this year. I think every white Christian should walk through this book. I think the book has a lot of good personal stories that were incredibly relatable, but also included a lot of important theology related to the topic of racism and reconciliation. I appreciated the focus on Christ’s ability to take us from blind to sight was particularly helpful over the temptation to jump to what we should do. The book does, however, have practical steps at the end t
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After a few years of becoming more aware of racial issues, this is the first book I have read on the topic. I would say it is a great first read and introduction. Written by a white pastor, it is about his journey to becoming awake to the issue as well as practical wisdom for moving forward. He talked about the idea of white privilege, which in his definition means "the ability to walk away." White people can walk away from the topic of race if it gets too uncomfortable. People of color can not.
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Great read for white people getting into thinking about race relations for the first time. Straightforward, not overly theoretical, but captures important data and perspectives in a way that hopefully reduces white defensiveness. It was great for me because it calls out my white liberal desire to not be racist and so always refuse to see the ways I am. I appreciated the chapter on lament—we want to “fix” things quickly, just figure out what I can do so I don’t have to worry about this anymore or
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If you’re white & Christian in America you will benefit from this phenomenal book. Hill shares his own journey in a very relatable way and connects denial, disorientation, shame, and self-righteousness to the gospel in beautifully redemptive ways.
“Daniel, you may be white, but don’t let that lull you into thinking you have no culture. White culture is very real. In fact, when white culture comes into contact with other cultures, it almost always wins. So it would be a really good idea for you to ...more
“Daniel, you may be white, but don’t let that lull you into thinking you have no culture. White culture is very real. In fact, when white culture comes into contact with other cultures, it almost always wins. So it would be a really good idea for you to ...more
Truly helpful and honest account to understanding white identity. The book really exposes issues in jumping to action steps and focuses on areas such as repentance and lamenting that I had considered very little previously. It presents ideas that can be hard to grapple with at first-but is filled with the hope we have in Jesus in the area of reconciliation. And as Hill says- transformation rarely comes easily.
I thought a lot. A lot. This book helped me see my own bias and the bias of our culture. Daniel Hill writes in a patient yet confident way about our need in the white culture, the majoroty culture, to understand the complex way in we enter into or fail to enter into the complex world of minority culture ethnicity. I appreciated how he gave practical steps, examples and insights so that I could understand this complex issue that is so easy to walk away from and engage with at our convenience. I f
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This is an excellent book for white Christians to read as we explore our cultural identity and the vital role we play in racial reconciliation. As I’ve learned more and more about racial disparity in the U.S., my desperate question has always been: “What can I, a white person, do?” Hill answers this question and so much more in his book. He brings his own white perspective and walks through his cultural awakening journey to describe how WASPs can take suffering seriously, lament, repent and resp
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Daniel Hill candidly speaks to white American Christians about their culpability in racism and white supremacy. Incorporating the voices of many BIPOC throughout this text, and maintaining a frank yet humble tone, Hill diagnoses the spiritual blindness of racism and takes his readers through a survey of both the historical and spiritual meaning of whiteness in America, and exposes its ramifications on the thoughts, words, and actions of the white Christian today. A refreshing and helpful read.
This book was wildly convicting and, at its heart, hopeful that racial justice is attainable and kingdom-focused. I will for sure be reading again and would recommend this to anyone who follows Jesus. Dare I say a must-read. Really, really, really enjoyed. Read it in community!!!
American whiteness and racism 101. This is a great intro to the subject. I appreciated the time the author took to explain that white superiority is not a part of God's plan for the world.
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This is one of the best books I have read on anti-racism for white people. I would highly recommend this book.
Wow. This book is so important.
What this book endeavours to do is read Robin Di Angelo's conclusions on race and "white fragility" into the bible.
Being "born again" in John 3 is repeatedly referenced as a description of becoming awake to your White Privilege.
Looking at the bronze serpent in the desert (John 3:15) is to do with looking hard at the unpleasant history of racism in America.
It is implied that all references to reconciliation in the epistles should be understood in terms of overcoming the racial divide in America.
T ...more
Being "born again" in John 3 is repeatedly referenced as a description of becoming awake to your White Privilege.
Looking at the bronze serpent in the desert (John 3:15) is to do with looking hard at the unpleasant history of racism in America.
It is implied that all references to reconciliation in the epistles should be understood in terms of overcoming the racial divide in America.
T ...more
A book meant to lead you through processing and gaining a deeper understanding of white identity, white supremacy, and the importance of going on a "cultural identity journey" to discover our role within racial divide. I love that it shared stories, experiences, and insight to help me gain a deeper understanding of my personal views and seek where the Lord is calling me into a renewed vision.
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I'm a somewhat sheltered middle aged white woman, and the past few years, I've done some soul searching and I keep asking myself questions like, "I don't think I'm racist...but am I? How do I know?" Followed by the most concerning, "What am I supposed to DO?" White Awake by Daniel Hill, has answered those questions for me, and helped me grow in the process. If you're asking yourself questions like this, I urge you to read this book. It was life changing for me!
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Highly recommend, speaks very practically and simply. Listened as an audiobook and really enjoyed hearing it in that format.
One of the best books I’ve read/listened to this year.
Planning to reread this book in the future.
May try to write a review for this later.
Planning to reread this book in the future.
May try to write a review for this later.
My eyes are opening to a reality greater than I could have imagined. The implications of this blindness-to-sight awakening is a journey from which I cannot turn back. “While I don’t want to discourage anyone from boldly moving forward., I’m tempted to say that it’s not worth stepping into this journey unless you’re ready to follow Jesus all the way to the end.”
This book is really important. But once you read it, there is no going back.
This book is really important. But once you read it, there is no going back.
Wow! I finished this book in one day because I was so moved by the challenges presented. This will definitely be a re-read. I highly recommend this book to anyone (especially Christians) who is looking for ways to address the role of white privilege in their own hearts, in their church, and in their community.
I would highly recommend this book. By far one of the best I've read on the topic (except maybe "One Blood" by John Perkins).
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If you are a white Christian, I highly recommend this book.
It's practical, it's theologically sound, it's relatable, and it's informative.
If you've ever found yourself asking, "What am I supposed to do?" about race relations, this book addresses that. (Hint: It stresses that we need to stop asking that question.)
This is a book I will come back to and read again. I highly recommend it. ...more
It's practical, it's theologically sound, it's relatable, and it's informative.
If you've ever found yourself asking, "What am I supposed to do?" about race relations, this book addresses that. (Hint: It stresses that we need to stop asking that question.)
This is a book I will come back to and read again. I highly recommend it. ...more
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