1. HOW DO WE GET WHITE PEOPLE TO THINK ABOUT WHAT IT MEANS TO BE WHITE?
Stephen Brookfield
University of St. Thomas

2. Why is Answering this Question Important?
Because when you ask people of color how whites can contribute to fighting racism some of the most common responses are – “learn what your own racial identity is, how you’ve assimilated elements of white supremacy, WHAT IT MEANS TO BE WHITE”

3. What are typical responses when we try to do this
What are typical responses when we try to do this? PUSH BACK & AVOIDANCE
“Race isn’t a big issue anymore – look at President Obama
You’re pushing an agenda
This is a discussion for people of color
Whatever I say I’m going to be called a racist so fuck you
Don’t blame me – I had nothing to do with slavery, Jim Crow
I don’t want to say anything for fear of offending anyone
Don’t call me a racist – I don’t see color
You don’t know me – what right do you have to say I’m racist
You’re the racist dude – you’re seeing race when it’s not there”

4. MOST COMMON MIS-STEPS
Blaming People for the Workings of a System They Can’t See Clearly
Shaming People for Being White
Denigrating & Disdaining People for not Having Racial Awareness
Preaching from Position of Superiority - You Have the Answers
Requiring Confession
Expecting to Be Appreciated & Rewarded – You Should Expect to Lose Something
Declaring Yourself an Ally

5. How do you begin this work?
A Lot of Narrative Disclosure – how you learned racist perspectives, instincts, behaviors
Examples of Your Recent Micro-Aggressions
Valuing Students’ Identities – where they come from, who has formed them
First Hand Testimony – Stories (NYT Op Ed Videos)
Creating Brave Space Classrooms – protocols for conducting sessions (Nov. 2nd, pm)

6. SOME RESOURCES Dear White America Tim Wise (City Lights)
Dear White People Netflix
Letter to White America – George Yancy (NY Times)
The White Racial Frame Joe Feagin (Routledge)
White Privilege Paula Rothenberg (Worth)
What Does it Mean to be White? Robin DiAngelo (Peter Lang)
White Awake Daniel Hill (IVP)
Good White People Shannon Sullivan (SUNY Press)