White Awake by Daniel Hill
(Format used for this read: Print–paperback)
The past couple months I have been reading this book with a small group of peeps.
Here is a summary:
“Daniel Hill will never forget the day he heard these words: “Daniel, you may be white, but don’t let that lull you into thinking you have no culture. White culture is very real. In fact, when white culture comes in contact with other cultures, it almost always wins. So it would be a really good idea for you to learn about your culture.”
Confused and unsettled by this encounter, Hill began a journey of understanding his own white identity. Today he is an active participant in addressing and confronting racial and systemic injustices. And in this compelling and timely book, he shows you the seven stages to expect on your own path to cultural awakening. It’s crucial to understand both personal and social realities in the areas of race, culture, and identity. This book will give you a new perspective on being white and also empower you to be an agent of reconciliation in our increasingly diverse and divided world.”
This is the 3rd time I have read this book.
The first was on my own after becoming aware of it by participating in my first Be The Bridge group. (Which if you’ve known me over the past few years, you KNOW how life changing that group was for me!)
Reading this was a critical resource in my new racial awakening and my education and growth.
The second time I read it was not too long after we moved back to Missouri with a group of ladies both local and long distance. I led them thru online discussion (as well as in person for those here) and shared resources to further our learning.
Even though I had read the information before, to process it with other Sisters brought to light even more wisdom and necessary dismantling.
This third time I have also guided a group based out of Lee’s Summit thru this book, mostly with online discussion/resources and a few in person meetings. Again, the pages are familiar but the wisdom and insight gained yet again has grown.
It’s also been good to reconvict and remind me of things to continue to dismantle and challenge in myself and my surroundings.
I recommend all white Christ following brothers and sisters read this book.
It won’t be a comfortable or easy read and honestly it SHOULDN’T be.
Taking our white blinders off our eyes and being able to see things from perspectives different than ours is CRUCIAL…especially at a time like the one we are living in now.
I recommend reading this with a group if you can so you can process and dismantle together. And most importantly keep each other accountable!
(From my experience online groups are okay and good things can happen there, but I really recommend face to face. This last group I led wasn’t too great with the online discussion engagement but in person our conversations were fruitful and productive.)
Sit in your discomfort.
Learn to see differently.
And most importantly LISTEN WITH HUMILITY.