Racial privilege is hard to see for those who were born with access to power and resources. Yet it is very visible for those to whom it was not granted. Understanding White Privilege is written for individuals and those in organizations who grapple with race every day, as well as for those who believe they don't need to. It is written for those who have tried to build authentic professional relationships across races but have felt unable to do so. It is written for those who believe strongly in the struggle for racial justice and need additional information to share with their friends and colleagues. Inviting readers to think personally about how race--theirs and others'--frames experiences, relationships, and the way we each see the world, Understanding White Privilege focuses squarely on white privilege and its implications by offering specific suggestions for what we each can do to bridge the racial chasm.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Beginning with Ourselves: The Importance of Doing Our Personal Work Chapter 2: What's In It for us? Why We Would Explore What It Means to Be White Chapter 3: What Does It Mean to Be White? Chapter 4: Understanding White Privilege Chapter 5: Barriers to Clarity Chapter 6: Now that (I Think) I Understand White Privilege, What Do I Do? Chapter 7: Talking about Race: What If They Call Me a Racist? Chapter 8: Building Authentic Relationships Across Race and Becoming an Ally: The Challenge and Necessity of Making Race Our Issue Appendix: "A Parable: The UPS and DOWNS," by Robert Terry

Author Biography

Frances E. Kendall is a nationally known consultant who focuses on organizational change and communication, specializing in issues of diversity, social justice, and white privilege.