About the Author

I’m a White woman who has grown up with both the privileges, and liabilities, of being White. Though I grew up in a Sundown Town and had little contact with people of color, I have come to realize that racism also directly affects me and my life. I didn’t come to that knowledge without years of thought and study and taking action in small ways. One of those small ways was through actively pursuing friendships with people who are not like me. Another is informal and formal study.

In my pursuit of understanding I earned a PhD in leadership with a dissertation focus on  Anti-Racism. I took classes on racism, liberation, and society. I attended numerous Anti-racism workshops, some especially for White people doing this work.  I started leading initiatives in several organizations with whom I was associated.

But it was my commitment to making friends and building relationships that was key to my growing understanding of myself and racism in this country