"WAKING UP WHITE" (Debby Irving) BOOK STUDY TESTIMONIALS
After the conclusion of the Waking Up White Book Study, leaders in the group asked for feedback from participants. I’ve edited the material down to a manageable length, and publish it so that you might consider participating in future Newman anti-racism activities.
Here’s a selection of what participants had to say about the study:
My thanks to the organizers and leaders of the Newman book group “Waking Up White”. They were great at navigating our discussions via zoom. I’ve never been a fan of discussion groups but these leaders insured productive input that resulted in shared experiences reading the material that we would have missed out on if we had just read the book each alone. “Waking Up White” had me reassessing what had seemed so expected in our white-centered culture. I’ve already loaned the book to a friend and will benefit from reading it a second time. – Chris Holland
——————--
I am so glad I took the opportunity, through the “Waking up White” book study with members of Roncalli Newman, to read, learn, listen and discuss issues of racism, personal identity and privilege. As the author, Debby Irving, states at the beginning, “use my story to uncover your own”. So guided by great group discussions and in response to each chapter's discussions questions, I dug and sifted through the personal formative experiences in my own family and schools and in the rural Wisconsin communities where I grew up. For me, this was such an important part of this book and study: to use some self-examination and some courage to consider and admit to my own bias and recognize my experience of white privilege. – Deanna Koralesky
——————--
The Waking Up White book study helped me on my journey of racial justice and would recommend it to those like me who were clueless. From a white woman's point of reference, Deb Irving makes you look at the values and beliefs that you were brought up with and how they form how you look at the world. For me this was a lot of hard work! Hopefully this will start my living more justly for people of color, God willing. I am doing a small part to change ungodly circumstances/views/systems that are present in our culture and our country. I am trying to figure out what more I need to do. Understanding is a start and this book has helped me in that process. – Kathryn Barth
——————--
The book study planning team provided a respectful environment and thought provoking questions with resulting honest dialogue. Most nights I wasn't ready for the sessions to end as the enlightening conversations piqued my thirst for more dialogue. I know that listening to those whose life experiences are different than mine is of the utmost importance before diving in to any type of action. For now, I continue to read, listen, and view other resources on this topic. I have become aware of racist realities and am challenged to continue pursuing the truth, as well as how I have responded (or not responded) to racial injustice.
– Maureen Pabst
——————--
Though I had a conflict with the last 3 meetings, I have read the book, gone over questions and thoughts, and recommended the book to many people.
The book was a real game changer for me. Thank you for all the work you did in planning. – Linda Birkle
—————--
“I’m a racist” was not how I would have described myself. There were significant trials in my early years which caused me to grow up with fear, shame and loneliness. Yet my Catholic upbringing and faith gave me hope and encouraged me to move forward with kindness and charity for all, regardless of skin color. Despite my personal trials, I pushed through and kept moving ahead and eventually was able to build a life for my children that I hoped was better than the one I grew up in. My racist error was in thinking that I, with God’s grace, had done this by my own efforts and determination. The question that I began to consider when reading Waking up White was, “How would my early life circumstances, choices, and opportunities been affected if I had been a person of color?” My intuition tells me that it would have been a hundred times harder to move forward and make positive changes. The book helped me to understand more fully the white privilege that allows me to live the life of my choosing. – Julie Dietz
——————--
Like so many of the other book study participants, my eyes were opened to the wildly uneven playing field that is the United States in the 20th and 21st centuries. Before reading the book, I recognized there were disparities in opportunities and social-economic-health conditions among the races, but I had no idea of the underlying mechanism that created and continues to maintain the wildly un-level playing field. As we discussed the truth about the GI Bill, and real estate and lending practices, I began to recognize the extraordinary privilege I have enjoyed unconsciously as a white person in this country. As the chapters unfolded, I recognized more and more the deep built-in injustices in our culture, and the seemingly harmless, but actually quite hurtful little practices, customs and sayings that I, as a white person unknowingly inflict on persons of color. I struggled with my part and my advantages in a racist system and kept coming up with “but I didn’t know.” My daughter pointed out to me that I wasn’t supposed to know. It was by design that this system was put in place to keep people like me out in front, thinking all along that my success was all by my own doing. I feel encouraged, however, by the ending chapters of the book and by the resolve shown by the other participants in this book study to work to effect real change in our community to foster equity and justice. Inaction is no longer an option for me. – Mary Seger
——————--
My gratitude for this WUW by Debby Irving book study resides in the participants having a voice, sharing stories, deep concerns and writing their testimonials. Mary Seger’s “retrospect” was spot on. Working with all the facilitators was a respectful connection rarely felt. The experience deeply affected me, with question after question. We became aware our own oblivious white privilege within systemic racism, and squinted in disbelief, at its roots within our government, institutions, organizations, churches and schools, we belong to and support. People in power write the rules and set the direction. “It is ok to doubt what you have been taught to believe.” Disrupters have many times unrecognized value for themselves and others. For me, the book was like revisiting a blanket of invisibility under which hypocrisy lies. I couldn’t help myself from transferring this notion of inequality, inequity and injustice to women, other races and LBGTQI+ communities. It gave validity to my questions about my taught beliefs, particularly in the Catholic Church. I lived growing up in a “sheltered” white community and now have a different understanding. I know I am not alone, yet hear the voice of the arrogant confused extremists and sometimes not the voice who says they can do more from the inside. WUW taught me that it is empowering to have brave conversations and necessary to cultivate authentic relationships, if the choice, the chance and the change will ever have a standing. Overwhelming to put in practice. I question the “All Lives Matter” debate as those in leadership decide to pick and choose where one particular member fits into the rules of power, as if it is an offense; to say otherwise. Yet count them in for the numbers to maintain power. I wonder how God fits into the picture and I look for hopeful honest seekers. Belonging in white privilege is underrated with pangs of entitlement, we deservedly relish in, whether we admit it or not. My heartfelt gratitude for the platform given to us.
– Fran Lee-Edwards
After the conclusion of the Waking Up White Book Study, leaders in the group asked for feedback from participants. I’ve edited the material down to a manageable length, and publish it so that you might consider participating in future Newman anti-racism activities.
Here’s a selection of what participants had to say about the study:
My thanks to the organizers and leaders of the Newman book group “Waking Up White”. They were great at navigating our discussions via zoom. I’ve never been a fan of discussion groups but these leaders insured productive input that resulted in shared experiences reading the material that we would have missed out on if we had just read the book each alone. “Waking Up White” had me reassessing what had seemed so expected in our white-centered culture. I’ve already loaned the book to a friend and will benefit from reading it a second time. – Chris Holland
——————--
I am so glad I took the opportunity, through the “Waking up White” book study with members of Roncalli Newman, to read, learn, listen and discuss issues of racism, personal identity and privilege. As the author, Debby Irving, states at the beginning, “use my story to uncover your own”. So guided by great group discussions and in response to each chapter's discussions questions, I dug and sifted through the personal formative experiences in my own family and schools and in the rural Wisconsin communities where I grew up. For me, this was such an important part of this book and study: to use some self-examination and some courage to consider and admit to my own bias and recognize my experience of white privilege. – Deanna Koralesky
——————--
The Waking Up White book study helped me on my journey of racial justice and would recommend it to those like me who were clueless. From a white woman's point of reference, Deb Irving makes you look at the values and beliefs that you were brought up with and how they form how you look at the world. For me this was a lot of hard work! Hopefully this will start my living more justly for people of color, God willing. I am doing a small part to change ungodly circumstances/views/systems that are present in our culture and our country. I am trying to figure out what more I need to do. Understanding is a start and this book has helped me in that process. – Kathryn Barth
——————--
The book study planning team provided a respectful environment and thought provoking questions with resulting honest dialogue. Most nights I wasn't ready for the sessions to end as the enlightening conversations piqued my thirst for more dialogue. I know that listening to those whose life experiences are different than mine is of the utmost importance before diving in to any type of action. For now, I continue to read, listen, and view other resources on this topic. I have become aware of racist realities and am challenged to continue pursuing the truth, as well as how I have responded (or not responded) to racial injustice.
– Maureen Pabst
——————--
Though I had a conflict with the last 3 meetings, I have read the book, gone over questions and thoughts, and recommended the book to many people.
The book was a real game changer for me. Thank you for all the work you did in planning. – Linda Birkle
—————--
“I’m a racist” was not how I would have described myself. There were significant trials in my early years which caused me to grow up with fear, shame and loneliness. Yet my Catholic upbringing and faith gave me hope and encouraged me to move forward with kindness and charity for all, regardless of skin color. Despite my personal trials, I pushed through and kept moving ahead and eventually was able to build a life for my children that I hoped was better than the one I grew up in. My racist error was in thinking that I, with God’s grace, had done this by my own efforts and determination. The question that I began to consider when reading Waking up White was, “How would my early life circumstances, choices, and opportunities been affected if I had been a person of color?” My intuition tells me that it would have been a hundred times harder to move forward and make positive changes. The book helped me to understand more fully the white privilege that allows me to live the life of my choosing. – Julie Dietz
——————--
Like so many of the other book study participants, my eyes were opened to the wildly uneven playing field that is the United States in the 20th and 21st centuries. Before reading the book, I recognized there were disparities in opportunities and social-economic-health conditions among the races, but I had no idea of the underlying mechanism that created and continues to maintain the wildly un-level playing field. As we discussed the truth about the GI Bill, and real estate and lending practices, I began to recognize the extraordinary privilege I have enjoyed unconsciously as a white person in this country. As the chapters unfolded, I recognized more and more the deep built-in injustices in our culture, and the seemingly harmless, but actually quite hurtful little practices, customs and sayings that I, as a white person unknowingly inflict on persons of color. I struggled with my part and my advantages in a racist system and kept coming up with “but I didn’t know.” My daughter pointed out to me that I wasn’t supposed to know. It was by design that this system was put in place to keep people like me out in front, thinking all along that my success was all by my own doing. I feel encouraged, however, by the ending chapters of the book and by the resolve shown by the other participants in this book study to work to effect real change in our community to foster equity and justice. Inaction is no longer an option for me. – Mary Seger
——————--
My gratitude for this WUW by Debby Irving book study resides in the participants having a voice, sharing stories, deep concerns and writing their testimonials. Mary Seger’s “retrospect” was spot on. Working with all the facilitators was a respectful connection rarely felt. The experience deeply affected me, with question after question. We became aware our own oblivious white privilege within systemic racism, and squinted in disbelief, at its roots within our government, institutions, organizations, churches and schools, we belong to and support. People in power write the rules and set the direction. “It is ok to doubt what you have been taught to believe.” Disrupters have many times unrecognized value for themselves and others. For me, the book was like revisiting a blanket of invisibility under which hypocrisy lies. I couldn’t help myself from transferring this notion of inequality, inequity and injustice to women, other races and LBGTQI+ communities. It gave validity to my questions about my taught beliefs, particularly in the Catholic Church. I lived growing up in a “sheltered” white community and now have a different understanding. I know I am not alone, yet hear the voice of the arrogant confused extremists and sometimes not the voice who says they can do more from the inside. WUW taught me that it is empowering to have brave conversations and necessary to cultivate authentic relationships, if the choice, the chance and the change will ever have a standing. Overwhelming to put in practice. I question the “All Lives Matter” debate as those in leadership decide to pick and choose where one particular member fits into the rules of power, as if it is an offense; to say otherwise. Yet count them in for the numbers to maintain power. I wonder how God fits into the picture and I look for hopeful honest seekers. Belonging in white privilege is underrated with pangs of entitlement, we deservedly relish in, whether we admit it or not. My heartfelt gratitude for the platform given to us.
– Fran Lee-Edwards