How To Talk About Race: Why Racism In America Starts With White Privilege

by Erin McGowan Sassaman

Description When trying to figure out how to talk about race, there are three truths that white people in the United States must acknowledge before engaging on the subject of race or racism with a Black 1) White privilege is real, even if white people never think about it. But when the author of this book speaks about white privilege and about racist and oppressive laws and events throughout U.S. history (some 400 years worth)… YOU (today’s typical white person) DID NOT CAUSE THESE. 2) HOWEVER… you have very likely been the beneficiary of racist policies that have advantaged you in innumerable ways when compared to your Black counterparts. In the same way that these policies advantaged you, the reverse has generally been the effect on most Black people. 3) And while this may or may not be true of you specifically, many (most?) whites today do not want to give up their white privilege when the opportunity arises, even if it means bringing more equity and a better chance at the American Dream to historically marginalized Black people (and minorities in general). These advantages will be pointed out to you, and you will be asked to think about what you would be willing (and not willing) to change. The author of How to Talk About Race, Erin McGowan Sassaman, while admittedly a white woman, says that sometimes the message from a marginalized group may be heard more readily if that message comes from an "ally" in the majority group. Sassaman is that ally for the Black community. She is a high school history teacher and mother. McGowan Sassaman shares several of her memorable history class conversations and assignments with the reader, including exact quotes from her pupils about their views and experiences with racism. She also shares their views on famous cases, such as the murder of George Floyd by police (you may be shocked by some of their responses). McGowan Sassaman also gives you a refresher on some of history’s other most notorious racial events, and how whites in U.S. history have “baked” racism into our culture so deeply, that even today the scabs remain raw. But with that in mind, you’ll want to read her summary of helpful tips on how conversations on race between Blacks and whites can be helpful, healing and bring about understanding, if initiated in the right spirit.

159 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 24, 2021