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White Awake: An Honest Look at What It Means to Be White

Daniel Hill

4.38 · Rating details · 1,150 ratings · 187 reviews

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 ...more

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Paperback, 192 pages

Published September 19th 2017 by IVP Books

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Feb 07, 2018 Shayla Mays rated it it was amazing

"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 "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 freedom; who lives by a mythical concept of time and who constantly advices the Negro to wait for a 'more convenient season...'. Shallow understanding from people of good will is more frustrating than absolute misunderstanding from people of ill will. Lukewarm acceptance is much more bewildering than outright rejection... I had hoped that the white moderate would see this need. Perhaps I was too optimistic; perhaps I expected too much. I suppose I should have realized that few members of the oppressor race can understand the deep groans and passionate yearnings of the oppressed race, and still fewer have the vision to see that injustice must be rooted out by strong, persistent and determined action." -MLK Jr., "Letters from a Birmingham Jail"

Never will I denounce my Christian faith. But if I can be honest, I am tired and gravely disappointed with many of my white Christian brothers and sisters who would rather aim for "diversity" than lament. Who would rather admit how "woke" they are than to sit, listen, and submit themselves under the leadership of those of color because it's uncomfortable or because only their style of worship or interpretation of scripture is correct. I'm tired of my white brothers and sisters who hold the power to bring change in the Church or parachurch environments, as they set the timetable of when and where people of color can move, be elevated, sit at the table, and influence rules and policies...instead of recognizing their own sociological imagination and using their privilege/power to platform others to lead and make cooperate decisions.

I pray for the day that each white Christian "friend" I have would become the man/woman Daniel Hill is trusting God and actively pursuing to be. I pray for the day that POC and those who are marginalized would feel just as listened to AND actively supported by white Christians as we do by many of our white non-christian liberal friends. ...more

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Sep 11, 2017 Adam Shields rated it it was amazing

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 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 means to be White is largely left unexplored. This become more important as the demographic and cultural power of White people in the US declines. What was assumed is starting to be challenged and there is a backlash. That backlash is largely not explored or explained away in other means because many are unwilling or unable to explore what race means for Whites.

This is not a perfect book. Especially at the beginning I was a bit irritated at the 'dumb white guy' stories. But I do think the exploration of ignorance around culture and other racial or ethic groups is real, it is just that that type of ignorance makes me uncomfortable because it often comes at someone else's expense. (I hate watching talent shows because I don't ever want to watch anyone bomb.)

But past that initial discomfort I found this book very helpful. I say that as someone that has done a lot of reading on race and history and culture. This was a very helpful book and I am planning on reading it with a group soon.

There was a quote in the documentary I am not Your Negro by James Baldwin that basically said, racism is not a Black problem, racism is a White problem. It is Whites that created the problem and Whites that will have to solve the problem.

Being White is not only about racism. But the concept of being White is relatively recent and was only put into legal code in the US as part of legal matters around slavery and citizenship. So any discussion of Whiteness has to talk about history.

There are two additional books that I think pair together well. The first is The Myth of Equality. It is about why racial inequality exists in the United States. Both White Awake and the Myth of Equality are from Intervarsity Press are explicitly Christian and are new (2017) books. Both are well worth reading.

The third is The End of White Christian America by Robert Jones. Jones is the head of a polling company that focuses on religious polling. This was released in 2016 and is largely a book about polling and demographics. It is not a book of theology or history as much as demographics. He is not making a moral or theological claim with his title. He is making a demographics one. Historically most of the US population has been White (Protestant) Christian. Today White (non-Hispanic) Christians (Catholic or Protestant) are only 43% of the country. Down from 70% in the 1970s. Culturally White Christians are still dominant in many important ways. But that cultural power is declining because of the declining demographic power.

The mix of these three books is very helpful to see why we are at the place we are at right now. From there, you can go in a million directions to explore further.

My full review is on my blog at http://bookwi.se/white-awake/ ...more

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Mar 22, 2018 Hannah Roberts rated it it was amazing

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 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 i nthe reader and does not shy away from exposing his own struggles in the area. I love how he breaks down the cycle of struggling with racial differences and systems and repeatedly reminds the reader that there is no finish line: this is a life long journey.

Some key points:

He makes the argument that the question of "What should I do?" is an immature response to the revelation of racial injustice because it continues to center the White person in power and action. (Let me just roll up my sleeves and fix this issue because no one like ME has tried.) Instead he drives home the point that first you must clearly SEE as Jesus does. This delayed response could seem chafing but it reflects his investment in sustainable change and heart reformation that then leads into healthy and helpful actions.

He also argues that what communities of color need from White Christians is not their emotion and shame. Instead invest in stamina. Persons of color do not have the option to walk away from the pressure, exhaustion and fear of our racial climate. White folk do and often take advantage of that privilege because engaging with it is draining and personally painful in a way that we are not used to experiencing. He encourages proximity to suffering- a beautiful example of the way that Christ calls us to serve one another but in an intensely practical way. Move your house. Get up close and personal with the pain and grief of a neighborhood that doesn't look the way you want it to or feel safe. Invest in spaces that you could easily drive by and ignore.

I found this book enlightening, encouraging, and pointed. It made me dig deeper into my mindset and challenge myself not to become complacent in my own growth. The kindness in his writing reflects someone who has truly walked this walk in all of it's discomfort and exhaustion and still can honestly say "It's worth it." I'm so grateful for this book and the author! ...more

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Apr 14, 2018 Dan rated it did not like it

Shelves: race

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 below, ...more

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Dec 18, 2019 Ashley rated it it was ok

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.

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Sep 19, 2018 Lianne JM rated it liked it

Shelves: anti-racist-resources, book-club-with-holly

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 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 are literally profiting off of racism.

If you’re interested in this kind of book I very much encourage you to buy one of the numerous books by black women (support them with your money if you can, or access free copies if you can’t), such as, So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo, or When They Call You a Terrorist by Asha Bandele and Patrisse Cullors. There’s also one called I’m Still Here by Austen Channing Brown which has a religious perspective (Protestant, Evangelical).

I definitely value white people taking on this work and sharing their unique perspective with other white folks so we can learn together. I just have an issue with white folks getting paid for it. I learned this critique from local Black organizers. Now for my actual review of the book:

(FYI, I am a white person who came to this book having been educated for a couple years about racism so someone totally new to conversations about race may experience this book differently than I did.)

Strengths of this book:
~There’s a lot of truthful and insightful analysis.
~It gives a solid history of racism (it’s very quick—you will want to seek other resources for detailed explanations and unpacking. The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander is one great resource).
~It teaches that racism is a system and counteracts the idea that racism is only individual acts of hate.
~It utilizes many sources, often well, especially Robin DiAngelo’s work on white fragility.
~One of the main points of this book is to counteract white arrogance (which manifests as a desire to immediately take action before having sufficient understanding), and I think it is successful and very informative in how it does so, from the first page to the last. The argument is, Instead of immediately asking “What do I do,” first ask, “How well do I understand?” That was my main takeaway from the book and I am grateful for it.

My critiques:
~Hill relies heavily and constantly on an ableist metaphor of blindness/sight, which he easily could have avoided by using understanding/lack of understanding or awareness/unawareness once the biblical metaphor of healing blindness was clear.
~Hill underutilizes the analysis of women of color. There should me more of it.
~There is no mention of queerness or trans people in this book, and little if any acknowledgment of sexism (see above critique).
~I didn’t find a lot the biblical analysis very convincing (however, there are a few examples I thought were very strong).
~The concept of “white trauma” REALLY needs to have more disclaimers, as it’s a perfect excuse for white people to center themselves. A reminder to avoid just that would be good, and also a suggestion that if white people want to talk about their trauma relating to racism, they should only do so with other white people and not burden people of color who are CURRENTLY living the trauma of racism. I also don't buy that white trauma is the sole reason for our denial; I think there are many reasons.
...more

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Nov 27, 2019 Caroline Mixon rated it really liked it

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 ...more

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Nov 29, 2019 Jillian Vincent rated it it was amazing

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 ...more

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Apr 05, 2019 Bonnie Luttkus rated it it was amazing

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. ...more

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May 27, 2018 Lisa rated it it was amazing

Shelves: christianity-and-spirituality

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 ...more

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Jun 30, 2019 Tom Goodwin rated it it was amazing

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 ...more

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May 22, 2018 Bekah Eyre rated it it was amazing

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.

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Oct 25, 2019 Christine rated it it was amazing

Highly recommend, speaks very practically and simply. Listened as an audiobook and really enjoyed hearing it in that format.

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Sep 25, 2019 Varina Denman rated it it was amazing

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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Jul 29, 2019 Jamie rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2019-shelf, story-us

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.

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Sep 03, 2019 Ben Moser rated it it was amazing

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.

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Jul 18, 2019 Caitlin Stevenson rated it it was amazing

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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Jun 24, 2018 Tyler rated it it was amazing

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.

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Jul 30, 2018 Logan rated it it was ok

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 ...more

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May 19, 2019 Sam Hodge rated it it was amazing

This is a book I will recommend to many, many people. Whether you feel like a veteran on the topic of cultural identity, or the term “cultural identity” makes you queasy, this book is a grace-filled, convicting account of what it looks like for white individuals to discover and walk through cultural identity formation. I’m looking forward to reading this again and again and again and hope many of you will too.

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Apr 22, 2018 Heath Salzman rated it really liked it

Shelves: theology, culture, 2018

Great book to read as a white person coming to terms with the racial injustices and inequities in our culture.

Big takeaways: as a white person, resist the urge to immediately try to fix the issue, you can’t. Instead, learn to lament and sit in sadness with our brothers and sisters who have been treated so poorly.

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Feb 04, 2018 Chris Theule-VanDam rated it it was amazing

If you are a Christian and engaged in conversations on race, this is your next book.

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Jan 02, 2018 Marc Papai rated it it was amazing

Excellent read, challenging but not preachy; stories from personal journey; good for a small group to do together.

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Jan 11, 2018 Claude rated it it was amazing

Excellent resource. I hope many read this, particularly church staffs and pastoral teams.

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Dec 05, 2018 Mike B rated it it was amazing

Super impactful book that got me thinking quite a bit about power and privilege. Worth a read.

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Sep 20, 2017 Emily rated it it was amazing

Shelves: social-stuff, nonfiction, christian

After finishing this book by my pastor Daniel Hill last week, I’ve been reflecting a lot on being sheltered and living in bubbles and the relationships and conversations that have helped me see the limits in my own perspective.

Going to Wheaton college, it was so easy for me to get stuck in a mutual loop of judgement about who was most sheltered: myself, as a homeschooler who grew up in Chicago, or the suburban students who only seemed to know people of the same class and age and race. I’m After finishing this book by my pastor Daniel Hill last week, I’ve been reflecting a lot on being sheltered and living in bubbles and the relationships and conversations that have helped me see the limits in my own perspective.

Going to Wheaton college, it was so easy for me to get stuck in a mutual loop of judgement about who was most sheltered: myself, as a homeschooler who grew up in Chicago, or the suburban students who only seemed to know people of the same class and age and race. I’m grateful to the professors who pushed all of us to see the limits of our understanding and the friends who shared their stories and memories and opened up personal spaces for reflection and insight.

Social media, of course, makes it easy to jump right back into a bubble reality of people who share the same assumptions and beliefs. It’s harder to know where it’s worthwhile to engage or how to hear the deeper convictions that lead to petty memes and endless comment wars and trolling.

Honestly, it’s hard to have conversations that change how we view the world, whether they take place online or off, in friendships or family. I’m so grateful to the many friends who have shared deeply of their lives, gifting me with questions that helped me see the people and circumstances that make me who I am today.

It’s not easy to face the weaknesses in our assumptions of what the world is and should be. This book doesn’t assign blame or ask anyone to feel guilty for their whiteness. Instead, it leads us through questions and conversations to see what it means to be white and what that means for Christians in particular.

For those of us deeply concerned with the racism in America, we need to see our own lives more clearly, to see the roles we play in this world, to be able to fight for justice for all.

We can’t do this work of personal growth and insight alone. But we can’t put the work of figuring out how to see clearly on anyone else either. I’m so grateful for the deep commitment to grace and community I have at River City Community Church that has enriched me as a member. I’m grateful that this book shares that with others beyond our church and city. ...more

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Apr 09, 2018 Abigail rated it it was amazing

Non-Christians might still find this book academically interesting, since a lot of the practical advice still applies. For those who do identify as American, Christian, and white, however, this book should be required reading. If you haven't engaged with race much before, this book is your first call to action. If you're already on your way to "woke," this book will help you identify where you are in your journey and how to keep moving forward.

We should be rightfully leery of a white person ...more

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May 12, 2018 Jon Pentecost rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: christian-living, sociology, 2018

Helpful in trying to expose to white Americans some of the costs associated to life as a black American. Much more suited for someone who has already started to become aware of those differences of how a white man and a black man will experience life in America than for someone unacquainted with that reality. His counsel through different 'stages' of recognition and response are generally wise and helpful.

The low rating is for two reasons:
1-His use of Scripture is dismally disappointing. For ...more

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Feb 23, 2018 Sarah Bowler rated it it was amazing

White Awake opens with author Daniel Hill attending the wedding of his close friend, who asks some rather unsettling questions about his racial identity. Seeking answers, he read articles and books, listens to TED talks, and peppers a new mentor with questions. Rather than respond with verbal answers, his new mentor encourages him to reflect on the voices of influence in his life—those who shaped his thoughts and values. The rest of the instructions are as follows:

Step 1: Comprehensively list White Awake opens with author Daniel Hill attending the wedding of his close friend, who asks some rather unsettling questions about his racial identity. Seeking answers, he read articles and books, listens to TED talks, and peppers a new mentor with questions. Rather than respond with verbal answers, his new mentor encourages him to reflect on the voices of influence in his life—those who shaped his thoughts and values. The rest of the instructions are as follows:

Step 1: Comprehensively list all individuals of influence, focusing on four groups—close friends, mentors, preachers/teachers/theologians relied on for guidance, and authors of the books you read.

Step 2: Note the cultural backgrounds represented.

Quickly realizing the majority of names belonged to white people, Hill calls the results his first epiphany:

"Just like all moments of genuine awakening, the discovery was both liberating and terrifying: liberating in the way truth always is, lifting you out of the fog and into the light, and terrifying because this revelation of truth demanded changes.”

Not long after, Hill read Divided Faith by Dr. Michael Emerson and noted the “hypersegration” in American churches—segregation levels so high that they defy statistical probabilities.

This, along with other revelations, inspired Hill to step away from his “white-centric world” to pursue a “more multicultural reality.” Today, Hill is the founding and senior pastor of River City Community Church, a multiethnic church in the Humboldt Park neighborhood of Chicago.

The rest of Hill’s book details his journey toward a better understanding of what it means to be white and the important role of reconciliation:

“The kingdom of God…shouts from the mountaintops that all human beings are created in the image of God and are therefore inherently valuable. It says that Jesus Christ has come to tear down the old visions of humanity that divide and to create in and through him ‘one new humanity’ (Ephesians 2:15). It says that we who are in Christ are new creations, armed with the vision of reconciliation and sent into the world bearing witness to God’s kingdom."

His book focuses on several areas such as denial, shame, and self-righteousness; however, the role of lament particularly stood out to me. It’s important to be active participants in seeking justice, but sometimes we are so quick to look for solutions when instead we should be lamenting:

“Lament is a beautiful and needed resource because it has a unique way of remaining awake to sorrow without succumbing to it. Lament allows us to grieve injustice but not fall into despair. We can be awake to the pain of the world but still press forward in faith because of another beautiful word at the center of the gospel: hope.”

Overall, I found White Awake to be a powerful reminder of the connection between living out my faith and seeking justice. It’s a quick read, though it may take a while to digest the contents. Small group discussion questions are included in an appendix.

(As a disclaimer, I received this book from Intervarsity Press in exchange for an honest review.) ...more

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May 04, 2018 Noah Filipiak rated it it was amazing

If you are already starting to wake up as a white person, this book will give you everything you need to advance you far along your journey. It is a great great book. The only downside, and I wouldn't even call it a downside, but the only thing to be aware of is I wouldn't give this to a white person who is not yet awake, if you were trying to convince them. I think the concepts are too meaty for them. But that doesn't take anything away from the book. What it will do is equip you, the one who ...more

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