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Real conversations about racism need to start now
Let's Talk Race confronts why white people struggle to talk about race, why we need to own this problem, and how we can learn to do the work ourselves and stop expecting Black people to do it for us.
Written by two specialists in race relations and parents of two adopted African American sons, the book provides unique insights and practical guidance, richly illustrated with personal examples, anecdotes, research findings, and prompts for personal reflection and conversations about race.
Coverage includes:
- Seeing the varied forms of racism
- How we normalize and privilege whiteness
- Essential and often unknown elements of Black history that inform the present
- Racial disparities in education, health, criminal justice, and wealth
- Understanding racially-linked cultural differences
- How to find conversational partners and create safe spaces for conversations
- Conversational do's and don'ts.
Let's Talk Race is for all white people who want to face the challenges of talking about race and working towards justice and equity.
Fern L. Johnson, PhD, is Senior Research Scholar and Professor Emerita at Clark University, specializing in race, culture, and language. Her publications include Speaking Culturally and Imaging in Advertising, and many journal articles. She is a seasoned speaker and workshop facilitator. Fern co-authored, with Marlene Fine, The Interracial Adoption Option, which draws on their experience as white parents of African American sons. She lives near Boston, Massachusetts.
Marlene G. Fine, PhD, is Professor Emerita at Simmons University, specializing in cultural diversity, leadership, and dialogue. She authored Building Successful Multicultural Organizations, and her articles appear in a broad range of journals. She is a seasoned speaker and workshop facilitator. Marlene co-authored, with Fern Johnson, The Interracial Adoption Option, which draws on their experience as white parents of African American sons. She lives near Boston, Massachusetts.
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Chapter 1. Bridging the Chasm— Starting the Conversation about Race
The Importance of Genuine Conversation
Why We Need to Talk about Race
What's to Come
Chapter 2. Identifying Racism— Where Fiction Becomes Reality
Types of Racism
Interpersonal Racism
Institutional/Structural Racism
Internalized Racism
Racially Identified Cultures
Moving the Conversation Forward
Things Not to Do
Things to Do
Chapter 3. Erasing Our Race— Normalizing and Privileging Whiteness
Being White
White Privilege
SeeingWhite Privilege
White Guilt
Being Black
The Gulf between Blacks and Whites
Bridging the Gulf
Moving the Conversation Forward
Things Not to Do
Things to Do
Chapter 4. Raising Your Racial IQ—What Whites Don't Know about Living in a Racialized World
African Americans in Historical Context
Racial Disparities in Education
Brown v. Board of Education
The Curriculum
Teachers and Professors
Student Experiences
Race and Health
Health Risks
Medical Care
Race and the Justice System
Policing and Law Enforcement
Prison
Evidence and DNA
The Wealth Gap
Institutional/Structural Racism and Wealth
Reducing the Wealth Gap
Implications
Moving the Conversation Forward
Things Not to Do
Things to Do
Chapter 5. Recognizing Differences— Cultural Misunderstandings and Misinterpretations
Language and Communication
African American English
Naming Practices
The N-word
Social Networks in African American Culture
Religious and Church-Affiliated Networks
Political Networks
Family Networks
Social Affinity Networks
Clothing and Hair in African American Culture
Clothing and Style
Hair and Heritage
Moving the Conversation Forward
Things Not to Do
Things to Do
Chapter 6. Better Talk—Putting It All Together
Guidelines for Engagement
Talk Versus Action
Finding Conversational Partners
Resources
Moving the Conversation Forward
Things Not to Do
Things to Do
Endnotes
Index
About the Authors
A Note about the Publisher