“Kim, we already know this.” You are boring us! Yes, I realize most readers are aware of systemic racism. Why are we diving into these myths of whiteness? Perhaps most of you already understand the 4 myths I have covered in this series. I fully acknowledge this may feel pretty basic. So why cover these …
In other words, “good white people are not racist” As Peggy McIntosh has reminded us in her writing and in her keynotes and workshops, one of the main myths she encounters as a barrier to white ally action is the notion that if I believe I am a good person, then I cannot be racist or contributing …
Try this example You are at family gathering and your 6 year old niece walks in from the backyard. She looks up at you and says, “they called me dumb and ugly.” You realize she refers to her cousins who you see laughing in a huddle by the patio. You look back in your nieces …
Actually, we made it all up. What if I told you that race is a figment of your (our) imagination? What if I told you we, as a collective over time, made it all up? Well, we did. Race is a belief system, not a reality. Race exists in our minds. This is called a …
Overcoming resistance and fear Sometimes resistance pops up when you all recommend my course on whiteness and anti-racism to a person you think could benefit. They may label my work on deconstructing whiteness and supporting white ally action as “radical” as a way to dismiss it. I get it. My approach diverts from popular diversity trainings …
Ever feel like you are not doing enough as an ally? I am talking to white people here. Anyone else feel like your internal values and beliefs about how the world should operate is not showing up enough in your own daily behaviors? Ever feel like an imposter because you did not make it to …
Before my Twitter account got hacked yesterday, I had posted this: “It’s not our students. It’s us. WE are the ones who desperately need critical reflection, intersectional race inquiry, and transformational social justice awakening. Us.” For decades I have watched colleges and universities trip over themselves to offer more diversity course initiatives, inclusive efforts, new …
