What Does it Mean to be White in America?: Breaking the White Code of Silence, A Collection of Personal Narratives: 1 (2LP EXPLORATIONS IN DIVERSITY) - Softcover

David, Gabrielle; Irving, Debby

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1940939488 ISBN 13: 9781940939483

Publisher: 2Leaf Press, 2016

Synopsis

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE WHITE IN AMERICA? BREAKING THE WHITE CODE OF SILENCE, A COLLECTION OF PERSONAL NARRATIVES, asks just that. The first of its kind, this collection of 82 personal narratives reflects a vibrant range of stories from white Americans who speak frankly and openly about race, not only as it applies to people of color, but as it applies to themselves. The stories cover a wide gamut of American history from contributors around the United States; from reminiscing about segregation and Jim Crow, to today's headlines of police brutality, politics and #BlackLivesMatter. The variety in style and subject matter from people of different class and employment backgrounds have one point in common–they create an absorbing and thought-provoking collection that explores race from a very personal perspective. In the telling, not only do contributors discuss their discomfort in talking about race, they also share big and small moments in their lives that have shaped what it means to be white in America, and how it affects the way they see themselves and others. In answering the question, some may offer viewpoints one may not necessarily agree with, but nevertheless, it is clear that each contributor is committed to answering it as honestly as possible. An invaluable starting point that includes a glossary and a bibliography of suggested reading, WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE WHITE IN AMERICA? is highly recommended for students, teachers and anyone else interested in seeking a deeper and richer understanding of race in America.

About this title

About the Authors

Gabrielle David is a multidisciplinary artist known for her work as a poet, writer, musician, photographer, editor, web designer, and graphic designer. She is the founder and publisher of 2Leaf Press, a Black/Brown female-led nonprofit press based in New York that promotes multicultural literature and literacy. During the 1990s, she founded the award-winning quarterly phati'tude Literary Magazine, serving as editor-in-chief, and was the literature coordinator at the Langston Hughes Community Library and Cultural Center in Queens, New York. David has edited multiple books for 2Leaf Press and authored the six-volume series TRAILBLAZERS, which highlights the contributions of Black women in American history (https://trailblazersblackwomen.org). She is active in the literary community, participating in panel discussions and workshops, and has contributed articles and essays to various print and online platforms. https://gabrielledavid.com

Sean Frederick Forbes is a poet and writer who directs the creative writing program at the University of Connecticut, where he teaches poetry and creative writing. He earned his degrees in English and Africana Studies from Queens College (CUNY), and obtained his MA and PhD in English from the University of Connecticut. Forbes is the series editor for 2LP EXPLORATIONS IN DIVERSITY, which examines the history, current state, and future of diversity and inclusivity in America. He co-edited the first book in the series, titled WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE WHITE IN AMERICA? Breaking the White Code of Silence, A Collection of Personal Narratives (2016), and has managed the publication of later books in the series. Forbes' poetry has been published in various outlets, and he authored the poetry collection "Providencia: A Book of Poems" (2013). He has appeared on radio and television and was featured in the Poem-a-Day series by the Academy of American Poets in 2014. Additionally, he conducts professional development workshops for elementary and secondary school teachers looking to incorporate creative writing into their language arts curriculum.

Debby Irving is an educator, consultant, trainer, and public speaker focused on racial justice. With over twenty-five years of experience as a community organizer and classroom teacher, she is committed to helping white individuals understand the varying effects that interactions, communities, and institutions can have on people based on race. In her early career, Irving was the General Manager of Boston's Dance Umbrella and later First Night Boston, where she created outreach initiatives to connect Boston youth with artists. She graduated from the Winsor School in Boston, earned a BA from Kenyon College, and an MBA from Simmons College. Irving has received training from organizations such as The People's Institute for Survival and Beyond, Crossroads Anti-Racism, and VISIONS, and frequently collaborates with her coach, Eddie Moore Jr. She is the author of the well-regarded book, "Waking Up White: And Finding Myself in the Story of Race" (2012), and has spoken at various conferences, including The White Privilege Conference and Facing Race. She has also been featured on several television and radio shows, including MSNBC and Tedx Talk. http://debbyirving.com

Edition details

• Publisher: 2Leaf Press
• Publication date: 2016
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1940939488
• ISBN 13: 9781940939483
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 680
• Editor: Forbes Sean Frederick