Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read.

Start by marking “Me and White Supremacy Workbook” as Want to Read:

Other editions

Enlarge cover

Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Open Preview

Me and White Supremacy Workbook

Layla F. Saad

4.32 · Rating details · 245 ratings · 46 reviews

Part education, part activation, the Me And White Supremacy Workbook is a first-of-its-kind personal anti-racism tool for people holding white privilege to begin to examine and dismantle their complicity in the oppressive system of white supremacy.

Get A Copy

ebook, 133 pages

Published 2018 by Layla F. Saad

More Details... Edit Details

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Reader Q&A

To ask other readers questions about Me and White Supremacy Workbook, please sign up.

Be the first to ask a question about Me and White Supremacy Workbook

Lists with This Book

Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome by Joy DeGruy

The Everyday Language of White Racism by Jane H. Hill

Be A Better Person 2 Antiracism

100 books — 2 voters

More lists with this book...

Community Reviews

Showing 1-30

Average rating 4.32 ·

Rating details

· 245 ratings · 46 reviews

More filters

Sort order

Start your review of Me and White Supremacy Workbook

Feb 25, 2019 Asderan rated it did not like it

Recommends it for: People interested in studying philosophies of identity politics

Recommended to Asderan by: Acquaintance

Let me start out by saying, I am a person who is strongly anti-racist. I try very hard in my life to treat everyone with respect and as an individual, valuable person, regardless of anything that sets them apart from me. I am around people of color all the time in my neighborhood, city, and job, and have friends who are people of color. I am one of the only white people in my neighborhood. I try hard to understand other peoples' perspectives and put myself in other people's shoes. I couldn't say ...more

flag 44 likes · Like · see review

Dec 10, 2018 Jo rated it it was amazing

This is a book I believe everyone should work through. Our culture, our world is set up with a white bias. Just fact. Those who are white are beneficiaries. What I didn't understand was how it not only "didn't benefit" BIPOC - but that it was so very harmful. From my privileged place of white, cisgendered, middle class America - I just didn't understand. The part that was so hard for me to wrap my head around was that I thought I was trying really hard. However, without understanding what you ar ...more

flag 19 likes · Like · see review

Feb 03, 2019 Sarah rated it it was amazing

Shelves: black-lives-matter

This was one of the most difficult books I've read, but also one of the most influential books. There were several times where I just wanted to quit reading and writing because being faced with the truth was extremely difficult for me. However, I'm glad I stuck with the workbook until the end. This workbook required a lot of introspection through journaling and helped me realize where I need to improve with my efforts towards anti-racism. This book gave explanations on subjects such as white pri ...more

flag 12 likes · Like · see review

Mar 13, 2019 Elizabeth marked it as on-hiatus

Recommended to Elizabeth by: Heather May

Shelves: racism

I was reading this workbook with a group online and then the facilitator linked to this FB post and said:

It came to light that several BIPOC female activists, have been critiquing and criticizing Layla Saad’s workbook. These critiques and complaints seem to fall into two categories: 1)that Layla is not African-American, she lives in Qatar and is therefore not subjected to the same kind of racism, or quantity of racism that most BIPOC encounter living in the United States. Additionally to this po

...more

flag 10 likes · Like · see review

May 16, 2019 Brenna rated it it was amazing

Shelves: friend-recs, equity

Part of a well balanced toolkit of becoming a less shitty white person.

flag 7 likes · Like · see review

Oct 14, 2019 Zoe's Human rated it really liked it

Shelves: lt

My feelings about this book are complicated but overall good. It's relevant to note going in that I have a couple of fundamental disagreements with the author that, while they are not specific to this work, are relevant to how I take in this work.

First, know from the outset, that I am biased against folks who self-identify as "spiritual", in particular those who are active participants in the spiritual industry. I've had a significant number of negative encounters with spiritual bypassing and f My feelings about this book are complicated but overall good. It's relevant to note going in that I have a couple of fundamental disagreements with the author that, while they are not specific to this work, are relevant to how I take in this work.

First, know from the outset, that I am biased against folks who self-identify as "spiritual", in particular those who are active participants in the spiritual industry. I've had a significant number of negative encounters with spiritual bypassing and folks who violated my boundaries because they felt their spirituality gave them a better understanding of what I need than I had. I recognize this as an unfair bias to apply to everyone who identifies in this manner, but my failing to acknowledge the bias certainly isn't going to make it go away. If I'm being fully honest, self-identified "spiritual" people who invest a lot of time and energy into makeup and fashion also bother me. I consider the fashion and make-up industries to be inherently harmful and the imbedded capitalism of this industry is something I have trouble balancing with feminism or spirituality. I'm working on this mess, but it's a lifetime of work because it's a mix of unfair stereotyping on my part and legitimate criticism. Unwinding those threads is difficult.

Second, I find that the vast majority of anti-racist materials have a strong middle-class bias. This makes sense as the majority of folks producing these works have spent their entire lives in the middle-class, but it nevertheless produces a hurdle for me to work around as an individual who crossed class lines from an impoverished childhood into a middle class adulthood. I'm not going to go into details about those biases at this time, because I currently lack the energy to deal with the inevitable backlash that always results when I try to talk about how the poor experience is different from the middle-class experience.

However, despite these additional issues I brought with me to this book, I heartily recommend it as an excellent tool to anyone who cares about anti-racism. Far too often, I see white people othering other white people as the problem that causes racism. (I was pleased to see that this was addressed in this book.) Inevitably, despite my being fundamentally secular, what runs through my mind is "Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye."

I don't care to speak for other cultures, but I will tell you flat out that if you, like me, were raised in the United States, you were raised in a white supremacist culture. Your experience of that culture will not be identical to mine or anyone else's and will be individual, but it will have shaped who you are. Just as I as a woman have internalized sexism and have found myself having fundamentally sexist ideas, I have taken in and internalized racism. So have you. It's inevitable and not your fault. However, to paraphrase Will Smith, even if it isn't your fault, it is still your responsibility.

This book is an excellent tool for digging out those internalized messages. Parts of it will be hard. Parts of it you will disagree with, sometimes because of implicit bias, sometimes because of legitimate disagreement. That's okay too. The important part is to be thinking about these things, to be considering the racism inside yourself, to be working towards being more self-aware. The first step in building a better world is building a better you. ...more

flag 6 likes · Like · see review

Feb 04, 2019 Erin Isgett rated it it was amazing

Reading these truths and journaling responses to the prompts in this workbook was so much harder than I had imagined. It is never easy to look inside yourself and face the ugly things that have lived in there for so long, so many of them unconscious. When we live in a society built on white supremacy, and when we are steeped in racist ideology from the time we are born, we cannot help but internalize it. But we can absolutely do the necessary work to recognize it, call it what it is, root it out ...more

flag 5 likes · Like · see review

Mar 02, 2019 Abby rated it really liked it

My boss at the Harry Potter Alliance encouraged white (& passing) volunteers to do this workbook in the month of February, and needless to say I have learned a lot. The questions didn't allow for any shying away, and I know now that, though I have a lot of work to do, I have a direction.

Nonetheless, I'm afraid I still fall into a couple of the "why did I read this?" categories Saad mentions at the end of the book: "There will be those who read this book because they want others to think they ar ...more

flag 5 likes · Like · see review

Jan 04, 2019 Tessa rated it it was amazing

This workbook opens your eyes in many ways. I recommend everyone to do this workbook. I'm commited to do this anti-racism work, and will therefore again and again come back to this workbook. ...more

flag 5 likes · Like · see review

Feb 12, 2019 Sarah rated it it was amazing

Shelves: all-time-favorites, own-it, human-rights, recommended-to-me

Phenomenal resource for engaging white people in anti-racist thinking and action.

"The primary force which drives my work is my desire to become a good ancestor. I know that my soul work is to help create change, facilitate healing, and seed new possibilities for those who will come after I am gone. This workbook is a contribution to that purpose. It is a resource which I hope will help you do the internal and external work needed to become a good ancestor, too." -- layla f. saad ...more

flag 4 likes · Like · see review

Jan 20, 2019 Fiona rated it really liked it

4.5⭐️ required reading.

flag 4 likes · Like · see review

Feb 13, 2020 Claudia rated it it was ok

I downloaded this in the immediate aftermath of the diversity blow-up in the knitting world, early in 2019, because it was being recommended by various people and it sounded like it might be useful.

I’m glad I read it, but I can’t say that I found it especially helpful, in a practical sense. Part of this is because I was a history major in college, and I wound up studying the African slave trade quite a bit. This gives me a somewhat broader perspective than some people, I gather (many are surpris I downloaded this in the immediate aftermath of the diversity blow-up in the knitting world, early in 2019, because it was being recommended by various people and it sounded like it might be useful.

I’m glad I read it, but I can’t say that I found it especially helpful, in a practical sense. Part of this is because I was a history major in college, and I wound up studying the African slave trade quite a bit. This gives me a somewhat broader perspective than some people, I gather (many are surprised to learn how many more slaves went to South rather than North America, for example). Of course everybody was complicit in the slave trade; of course it happened in places other than the American South; of course racism continues in modern times. None of this seems newsworthy to me, but given people’s reactions maybe I’m out of step.

My professors were very matter-of-fact in addressing the racism that underlay the events. One gave us a specific warning never to use the term “natives” in our own papers, saying, “It was the term used for centuries, so you’re going to read it a lot and it’s going to start seeming normal to you—but it’s not, and you can’t. Don’t fall into that trap.” Now that was a useful reminder, not only from a practical sense but also as a warning about how easy it can be to absorb attitudes and assumptions without noticing.

I’ve long been keenly aware of my privilege, which is enormous but far more economically based than anything else (in fairness, when I was studying history I did tend to lean toward economic interpretations). I got a terrific education, which is priceless, but the most important parts came from my parents being strict about language and encouraging me to read anything and everything. But once I’ve “checked” my privilege, then what? It’s right here, as part of me, but being aware of it doesn’t change anything; it’s not like I can make myself less educated.

My other problem with this workbook was that I’m both white and Latina, and it does not handle “mixed” sorts particularly well. I’ve been collecting ethnicities for years; I’ve been taken for white, Latin, Jewish, black, and (my personal fave) Filipina. I don’t honestly know how new people are going to perceive me in any given context, which seriously undercuts the message of a book which is so focused on people’s reactions. ...more

flag 3 likes · Like · see review

Mar 25, 2019 Sydney Stein rated it really liked it

Saad's workbook gave me a great space to think through my own white supremacy. I wish I had participated in the 28-day Instagram challenge instead, to see other responses. I would like to revisit this workbook every few years - hopefully with new knowledge and experiences. ...more

flag 3 likes · Like · see review

Apr 26, 2019 Lynn rated it it was amazing

Shelves: own

All white people need to do this work. Honestly, truthfully, openly, thoroughly, do this work. And compensate ($$) Layla Saad for the emotional and practical work she has put into creating this workbook for us.

flag 3 likes · Like · see review

Sep 02, 2019 Sarah Eshelman rated it it was amazing

Layla Saad's workbook is a vital text that guides the reader through hard-hitting questions to uncover personal, internalized white supremacy. It's easy to acknowledge personal biases, but none of us should stop there. It is up to us to unlearn and undo the lessons that we have consciously and unconsciously learned. I was challenged and convicted by the questions and my own responses to them. Even though I finished the 28-days, I know that I am not truly done the work, and this is just the begin ...more

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Mar 04, 2019 Heather rated it it was amazing

Shelves: fighting-racisim

Important anti-racism work being done here. For white people who know “this current state of affairs isn’t right but where can I start” the starting point is here. Unlike the many great books I’ve read on being anti-racist, this one doesn’t let you keep the work at an academic/arms length distance, it puts the reader in the work. Doing the journaling prompts is an essential part of this work, reading alone won’t do it. I recommend it highly to those white people ready to look at themselves, thei ...more

flag 3 likes · Like · see review

Mar 29, 2019 JoAnna rated it really liked it

Three-line review: I spent lots of time over the past 28 days working through a myriad of journal prompts that helped me understand my own racism and white supremacy in my life. This workbook should be required work for every white person as it walks through all the ways whiteness in general (and the reader's whiteness, in particular) harms BIPOC. I'm giving it four stars because, though I have a better grasp on the work I need to do, I still don't feel fully equipped with the tools I need to ad ...more

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Oct 05, 2019 Melissa Boatwright rated it it was amazing

100% recommend this book to everyone willing to do the work in understanding their role in how our systems reinforce white dominance/supremacy. It provides prompts at the individual level to understand the role we play in upholding systems of oppression, how we can change our own behavior to improve inclusion, and how this work is a lifelong process - particularly for those who hold a lot of white privilege.

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Oct 16, 2019 Frans rated it did not like it

It's almost unbelievable that something such as this could be taken seriously. What kind of idiot reads this insane crap? Gawd. We're sinking into oblivion when someone as dumb as this woman can get paid for writing such nonsense. ...more

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

May 09, 2019 Rachel rated it it was amazing

Essential for all white people. Whatever makes you uncomfortable in journaling about this process is what you most need to examine.

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Aug 08, 2019 Nicholas rated it it was amazing

essential work for all white & white passing folk - we can't really do the work on destroying white supremacy around us before confronting it within. ...more

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Dec 05, 2019 Sally rated it it was amazing

Such an important read in order to become ANTI-Racist. Being merely not racist leaves us complicit in maintaining white supremacy.

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Jun 04, 2020 Eliza rated it really liked it

I’ve picked up the book on Kindle during the BLM protests sparked by the murder of George Floyd at the hands of police. It had been a recommended reading suggestion that popped up time and time again in my Instagram feed. I wanted to spend some time and reflect on the issues that were being raised by activists across the United States and beyond, including France. I did not know that originally this book was an Instagram journaling challenge, didn’t sign up mentally for a “28 day challenge”, so I’ve picked up the book on Kindle during the BLM protests sparked by the murder of George Floyd at the hands of police. It had been a recommended reading suggestion that popped up time and time again in my Instagram feed. I wanted to spend some time and reflect on the issues that were being raised by activists across the United States and beyond, including France. I did not know that originally this book was an Instagram journaling challenge, didn’t sign up mentally for a “28 day challenge”, so it was quite awkward when I got scolded repeatedly by the author if I didn’t keep my journal properly (which I fully admit, I didn’t). But that is a minor detail, with the fault fully on my side. The book did give me what I wanted. An overview of the common terms used yesterday and today by the BLM mouvement and beyond. The definitions and ideas behind the new words and phrases that will hopefully be at the base of a new social contract of justice, both as warning (white silence / fragility etc) as well as aspirational (being a good ancestor). It was not the first time I encountered the vast majority of terms, but it was necessary for me at this time to gain a deeper understanding on this subject.

I reflected particularly to the white privileged I have as a Romanian in relation to the Romani people. A particularly difficult subject to approach, even with young people nowadays in my home country. It is a subject I’ve been unpacking for the past few years alone and I find that the work of American activists on the subject of race is an incredible asset to finally acknowledge and address what happens in Romania. It is here that I encountered some difficult personal reflection moments.

However, by the deeper understanding this book gave me, I actually mean a basic one (a stark revelation of how work much I have ahead of me), which has to be completed by other books that explore these terms in more detail, coming from seasoned researchers, in various academic fields and beyond. The author is a good educator, an essential figure to spread knowledge to large groups of people, but the PHD in me needs more data and more nuance. So, this book is a great intro, excellent starting point but, not much more. I recommend it, I thank it, and I’ll go beyond it. ...more

flag 1 like · Like · see review

May 06, 2020 Nativida rated it it was amazing

Shelves: social-justice, whiteness, woc, anti-racism

I downloaded the free ebook last year (2019) and knew I wanted to be very intentional in reading and reflecting, so when shelter-in-place came in this spring (2020) I did the 28-day challenge. This admission in and of itself feels reflective of my waiting and wanting a "more convenient" time for increased comfort in facing the toxicity of White Supremacy and my part in it. I'm learning! And from this learning, commit to do better. This was (is) challenging and messy and necessary work. I'll be r ...more

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Apr 05, 2020 Katherine Cooper added it

I don’t think I’m ready to give any “stars” to this one yet, because honestly I’m still processing... and I think I might continue to do so for a long time!

I definitely have a lot to continue exploring, especially pertaining to my personal choice of outward silence on the subject of many racially-charged conflicts, and also in my ongoing avoidance of racial discussions with family. In the case of the latter, I believe that there is far more complexity than expressed in the workbook when it come ...more

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Apr 16, 2019 Marion rated it it was amazing

Shelves: racism

Layla Saad’s workbook is a gift to white people. It offers a wonderful opportunity to spend 28 days actively engaged in self-reflection about our whiteness, the myth that we’ve internalized of white superiority, and how that affects both us and Black, Indigenous, People of Color. This workbook can be used by folx anywhere along the spectrum of racial knowledge.

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Feb 14, 2020 Theresa rated it it was amazing

MUST-READ for every white person in this world!

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Jun 12, 2020 Moira Murray rated it did not like it

I did not like this book at all. I started out trying to cope with Saad's extremely ethnocentric narrow perspective and lack of subjective knowledge or research about the 'white people' she is supposed to be writing for.

Then it got worse and I found it to be opinionated in an underhand, guilt-inducing way. It's also very boring and constantly trying to persuade me I'm a racist when I am not.

Then I am asked to be guilty of 'corporate' racism. No charge or evidence or trial - just 'guilty as a wh ...more

flag Like · see review

Oct 14, 2020 Brad McKenna rated it it was amazing

Shelves: poc

This is a hard, hard, hard read. Because it forced me to confront my own implicit biases when it comes to race. What more, it required the honesty and commitment to recognize and dig them out. It's exhausting work, it's never-ending work.

Not all topics were challenges for me, I freely admit my own white privilege for instance.

Some were obvious but hard to act upon, as I shy guy white silence is really tough. (I know, woe is me, eh?)

There were even some that I was surprised to discover within my ...more

flag Like · see review

Oct 22, 2020 Sophia Adams rated it liked it

Recommends it for: crackers

Shelves: non-fiction, female-author, poc-author, race

This workbook made me seriously look back my own actions towards BIPOC, and I wasn't always happy with what I saw. That's the purpose of Me and White Supremacy: to challenge yourself to become a better anti-racist. I hope that after this book I will show up for BIPOC in a more authentic, tangible way. Some of the information I knew already, but some was new to me. I think it's worth going through for any white person, whether you consider yourself a "good white person" or not. It can be fairly e ...more

flag Like · see review

« previous 1 2 next »

new topic
Discuss This Book

There are no discussion topics on this book yet. Be the first to start one »

Recommend It | Stats | Recent Status Updates

Readers also enjoyed

See similar books…

Genres

Nonfiction

30 users

Race

23 users

Race > Anti Racist

9 users

Social Movements > Social Justice

7 users

Feminism

4 users

How To

3 users

Politics

2 users

Female Authors

2 users

Social Issues > Activism

2 users

See top shelves…

About Layla F. Saad

Layla F. Saad

360 followers

Layla Saad is a globally respected writer, speaker and podcast host on the topics of race, identity, leadership, personal transformation and social change.

As an East African, Arab, British, Black, Muslim woman who was born and grew up in the West, and lives in Middle East, Layla has always sat at a unique intersection of identities from which she is able to draw rich and intriguing perspectives. L ...more