A reflection: What does it mean to be white?

1. What does it mean to be white?

A. Describe the street you grew up on, who lived there, where was it, what did you do on Saturdays, what kind of food/parties/celebrations did you have? Did you interact with a diverse community? Why or why not?

B. From Debbie Irving, the author of Waking Up White

Which of these messages did you hear inside/outside the home?

Don’t rock the boat.

If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.

Never discuss politics or religion in polite company.

Don’t talk about race--that’s racist.

C. How did your family navigate conflict?

What messages did you receive about emotions and emotionally charged behaviors? (i.e. crying, anger, shouting, disagreement)

What is your friends’ and family conversational culture?

2. When did you first realize you were white?

Describe the situation. Include who was there, what was happening, what were you feeling?

When did you realize you were white, not simply “different than…”? Is there a difference?

3. How have you benefited from being white?

4. How has being white impacted your relationships?

After the session, please fill out this exit ticket.