Talking About Race: A Workbook About White People Fostering Racial Equality in Their Lives
Holly Fulton, Traces of the Trade and “Coming to the Table”
This is a very difficult topic to explore, study, encourage awareness of, and pay attention to. I find Kaolin’s Talking About Race a thorough, real, and needed workbook or primer for the rising number of beginning white anti-racists to start or further their journey as they become acquainted with the enormity of racism that persists in the United States. She brilliantly addresses the importance and wide spectrum of challenging emotions and needs felt and explored in the monumental work towards the goal of racial equality. I completely agree with her ‘musts’, warnings, and cautionary points. My deep hope is that this book will educate, inspire, and guide a good number of white people who want to organize and build communities to heal our wounded society.
Dr. Carlie C. Tartakov
Emerita Professor, Iowa State University and retired public school teacher
Immediate Past President, Iowa Chapter
National Association for Multicultural Education
(IA-NAME)
Talking About Race is a valuable tool for raising awareness of the number one problem in the US today: Racism. It is written from the standpoint of Whites who benefit most from race bias. Anyone interested in standing up for social justice has something to learn from the lessons taught and learned by Kaolin and her students.
As the nation attempts to dismantle racism’s devastating effects, open discussion is essential. Kaolin’s book gives a look at the burden Whites carry in a racist environment without minimizing what People of Color suffer on a daily basis. This book shines a light on the guilt, shame, fears, challenges and triumphs of unpacking White privilege.
Readers will find the questions and exercises an opportunity to go beyond book knowledge and escape their comfort zone to flex their “racial equality muscles.” These practical and proven strategies encourage both new ways of thinking and action. Kaolin’s message is quite clear: everyone loses in a racist society but there is hope if we work to change it.
Craig Taylor, CEO & Founder http://www.rarehiphop.com
As a young black athlete growing up in NYC during the seventies and early eighties, my teams weren’t afforded the luxuries of having a ‘home court’ advantage and had to travel to play in white CYO gyms around the city. More times than not, we had to literally defend ourselves against rogue gangs of youths, that wanted to cause us bodily harm as we left the gym. Oft times this also occurred during the games.
While these experiences did help to shape me, I still never understand why such racism exists. Kaolin’s workbook, ‘Talking About Race’ answers some of these questions, because now I can hear it from ‘the other side’. Kaolin attacks this delicate subject by telling her experiences as a wife and mother in an inter-racial marriage and as a teacher on this delicate topic. To also hear Caucasian students speak on how they were introduced to racism and their subsequent reaction to it shows us that racism is inherited and not hereditary and can be lessened over generations if properly addressed. I highly recommend this workbook to all seeking to eradicate this disease.
Dr. Diane Beers, author and Professor Social Sciences Division, Holyoke Community College
As an educator who teaches the history of racism, I see firsthand just how much students want to discuss-really discuss-the topic of race. We educators need to do more, and Talking About Race is a great resource to get that much-needed discussion going.
