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Debby Irving
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Waking Up White, and Finding Myself in the Story of Race Paperback – Illustrated, January 9, 2014

by Debby Irving (Author)
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 3,579 ratings
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For twenty-five years, Debby Irving sensed inexplicable racial tensions in her personal and professional relationships. As a colleague and neighbor, she worried about offending people she dearly wanted to befriend. As an arts administrator, she didn't understand why her diversity efforts lacked traction. As a teacher, she found her best efforts to reach out to students and families of color left her wondering what she was missing. Then, in 2009, one "aha!" moment launched an adventure of discovery and insight that drastically shifted her worldview and upended her life plan. In Waking Up White, Irving tells her often cringe-worthy story with such openness that readers will turn every page rooting for her-and ultimately for all of us.
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  1. Print length
    288 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Elephant Room Press
  4. Publication date
    January 9, 2014
  5. Dimensions
    5.9 x 0.7 x 8.8 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0991331303
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0991331307
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Debby Irving's powerful Waking Up White opens a rare window on how white Americans are socialized. Irving's focus on the mechanics of racism operating in just one life -- her own -- may lead white readers to reconsider the roots of their own perspectives -- and their role in dismantling old myths. Readers of color will no doubt find the view through Irving's window fascinating, and telling." -- Van Jones, author, Rebuild The Dream, The Green Collar Economy: How One Solution Can Fix Our Two Biggest Problems; President, Rebuild The Dream; Co-host, CNN Crossfire

"Waking up White is a brutally honest, unflinching exploration of race and personal identity, told with heart by a truly gifted storyteller. Much as Irving's family sought to shield her from the contours of the nation's racial drama, so too do far too many white Americans continue to do the same. For their sakes, and ours, let's hope Irving's words spark even more truth-telling. They certainly have the power to do so." -- Tim Wise, author, White Like Me: Reflections on Race from a Privileged Son


"I read Waking Up White in one sitting. To say I loved it is an understatement. It's such a raw, honest portrait .... Irving's experience on display - warts and all - will help white people, who haven't noticed the role systemic privilege has played in their lives, start to see the world in a new way." -- Jodi Picoult, author, The Storyteller, My Sister's Keeper

Irving's personal and moving tale takes us on an adventure to a world utterly new to her as she wakes up to the reality of how, without her knowledge or active pursuit, she lives in a society which is set up to reward her at the expense of people of color. I cannot imagine a more understandable and compelling invitation to learn about how racism lives on in our homes, communities, and nation. -- Bishop Gene Robinson, Retired Episcopal Bishop of New Hampshire and Senior Fellow at the Center for American Progress, Washington, DC

"Deborah Irving's Waking Up White is a courageous, insightful, and critical contribution to awareness of race in the United States. A virtual one-woman Truth and Reconciliation Commission, Deborah's journey from an 'ah-ha' instant to consciousness is a journey for all Americans." -- Thomas Shapiro, author, The Hidden Cost of Being African American; Director, Institute on Assets and Social Policy

From the Author

Dear readers - Thank you so much for your interest in Waking Up White. I hope it will give you or someone you know new insights into how racism works and why you (or white people you know) can get so anxious when it comes to talking about race and racism. Writing the book was not only my way to reach out to other white people confused and/or curious about racism, it was like writing a five-year long journal entry in an effort to make sense of all I learned and experienced in my research. Happy reading ~  Debby

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Elephant Room Press; Illustrated edition (January 9, 2014)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 288 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0991331303
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0991331307
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 13.6 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.9 x 0.7 x 8.8 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 3,579 ratings

About the author

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Debby Irving

Debby Irving

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Debby Irving brings to racial justice the perspective of working in non-profit organizations and education for 25 years before understanding racism as systemic or her own whiteness as an obstacle to grappling with it. Despite attending diversity workshops and even heading a diversity committee during these years, she struggled to make sense of racial dynamics she could feel but not explain. At the age of 48, a Wheelock College graduate school course titled Racial and Cultural Identities finally gave her the answers she’d been looking for, launching her on a journey of discovery. Debby now devotes herself to working with people exploring the impact whiteness can have on perception, problem solving, system design, culture shifting, creating racially diverse work teams and communities, and individual and collective human development. Her New York Times bestseller, Waking Up White, tells the story of how she went from well-meaning to well-doing. Her book, workshops, keynotes, community dialogs, TED Talk, online videos, blog, and frequent media commentary have become staples in the national discourse on the role of “good” white people in perpetuating racism. A graduate of the Winsor School in Boston, she holds a BA in History from Kenyon College and an MBA from Simmons College.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
3,579 global ratings
Every White Person Should Read This
5 Stars
Every White Person Should Read This
In this book, Debby combines astonishing research with heartfelt personal experience to bring readers alternatives to the racial abuses that are rampant in society. Posing thought-provoking questions, she guides us on a journey of discovery that can open eyes and change hearts. You’ll be glad you read it. The world is better for this book.
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Top reviews from the United States

S. R. Schnur
5.0 out of 5 stars A good idea to read twice
Reviewed in the United States on April 29, 2017
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This is a first rate book for those of us who grew up in the "white bubble" because we don't know what we don't know. Debby Irving actually lived in a place and had the advantage that she could take courses and seminars to learn where we are in the bubble and why we are there. I did learn some things from the book despite not having started out with quite as much naivete as the author.

Discussing race is hard for most of us because we have been taught not to "make personal remarks" about how someone looks. A four-year-old might ask someone why he has one arm, and his mother is immediately embarrassed, basically because we don't want to hurt someone's feelings. Discussion of race falls immediately into the "personal comments" category. But we, in our bubbles, don't realize that people of color are under stress every day because of their color and often talk about it. We might be so careful to try not to offend that we actually can never be real friends because there is a whole forbidden area. So, even in our non-bigotry, we have set up barriers. The author actually attended seminars about how to get past these problems. The book is very useful and is a good read for us all.

The author defines culture well. She says culture is to a group what personality is to a person. And, she points out there is actually a white culture that we who grew up inside it don't always recognize. Ms. Irving is quick to point out her own obliviousness, one that many of us have. There are enough interesting insights in this book that it is worth reading twice. And for elementary school teachers the lesson near the end to get a skin color recipe is worth the price of the book.
11 people found this helpful
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Dana
5.0 out of 5 stars An eye-opening book
Reviewed in the United States on February 6, 2024
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I genuinely did not know what I did not know. Debby Irving’s clear writing, engaging stories and broad/deep research are woven together in this important and inspiring book. Highly recommend.
One person found this helpful
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Linda Adams
4.0 out of 5 stars Learning experience
Reviewed in the United States on January 7, 2023
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Very good read. Good book for self reflection. I would recommend this book for anyone to read. Must read for any discussion of race.
4 people found this helpful
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xdpsn
5.0 out of 5 stars Effective and engaging.
Reviewed in the United States on November 9, 2019
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Just finished this last night, great book for a new understanding of something that can be hard to discuss. I just finished a communication degree (BS) and there were many discussions of equity, culture, intersectionality, identity, race etc. My last course was intercultural communication. Anyway, I'm relatively up to speed for a middle aged white man, and I thought this book terrific. My children's school encouraged parents to read this as part of a new book club, so we'll be discussing it next week. While I personally wasn't exposed to a lot of new-to-me information in this book, it IS quite consistent with what I've learned thus far-and I think goes pretty far to match my understanding after a good bit of attention to the subject in college. With the caveat that the author's upper-class upbringing may be off-putting to some (push past that - totally worth it) it is very approachable and easy to read. Most chapters are about 15-20 minutes to read and the writing is detailed without seeming academic. I think this book is a great tool, a doorway to knowingness for those of the dominant class in the US to see things that are often invisible, and you can't change behavior you don't recognize.
BTW, there's a show "Dear White People" that attempts to tackle this subject that I enjoyed.
6 people found this helpful
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Lawrenceb56
5.0 out of 5 stars Honest and from the heart.
Reviewed in the United States on January 18, 2023
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The author makes no bones about the fact that she has had and will have much to learn before her journey of understanding her white self is anywhere near complete. I liked the style and I also appreciate that her voice speaks to us not as "you--gentle reader," but rather, "Me. And perhaps you too." Those who write this incredibly personal and fearless author off as someone who is telling us what we already know, or as 'too paralyzed by her own white guilt' to teach us anything, are ironically guilty of the exact things she is chiefly discussing. Namely, thinking we know how best others should react to very complex issues of race. She only mildly examines what is going on inside of the heads of those she may have disregarded. She is not, however--afraid to examine what has been going on inside her head all these years. That takes guts and it is what too many of us are uncomfortable doing.
7 people found this helpful
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Lynn
3.0 out of 5 stars How did she miss the Civil Rights Movements?
Reviewed in the United States on September 23, 2016
Verified Purchase
I am astounded that Ms. Irving seems to have "missed" the entire Civil Rights Movement from the late fifties and the sixties. I grew up in Michigan — Detroit (1952-1955) and Lansing (1955 on). I certainly noticed the segregation in Detroit which my patents explained by saying that the area was where they made Negroes live. "That area" looked like photos of Europe right after WW II. My parents may have been a bit more enlightened than some, but not extraordinarily so. They did take me to see Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. when he spoken at the Lansing Civic Center.
I would say her book is very "guilty liberal" which is not really helpful. I note that she gives anti-racism workshops. I cannot Believe I would attend.
The book has some good material and some good insights.
34 people found this helpful
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Waking Up White and Finding Myself in the Story of Race
Reviewed in the United States on April 2, 2024
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A good book to read and understand what others are thinking and feeling
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#EmptyNestReader
4.0 out of 5 stars Becoming Aware of ways being white privileged out development.
Reviewed in the United States on June 13, 2022
Verified Purchase
The author shares her insight from her own (sometimes awkward) attempts to understand race in America; what white privilege is and how it affects everyone's lives. How whites benefit from it and how African Americans suffer underneath it. How we take our jobs, schools, homes, friendships for granted. How the lives of those without such privilege are affected.

One of the points made that I had never thought about is the impact of the benefits we reap due to generation after generation of white privilege. My father went to college on the GI Bill. A benefit largely denied to African American veterans. My parents bought their first home with a VA Home Loan, a loan largely denied to minority veterans. I had no idea about either of these privileges but I can certainly see how I am continuing to reap the benefits of something (many things) that happened for my family 79+ years ago and continue to benefit me and my children today.

The author offers plenty of questions as food for thought to help the reader think through this important and sensitive issue. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
11 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Rob
4.0 out of 5 stars Life... It is different for all..... All Lives Matter
Reviewed in Canada on August 16, 2020
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We all have to look below the layers of life we have lived to come close to understanding how others live
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Lucy
5.0 out of 5 stars Educational book on how to better understand the topic of race as a white woman
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 22, 2020
Verified Purchase
In the midst of the BLM movement I wanted a book that would shed light on the white experience in relation to race. Micro-aggression and how to be a better anti-racist ally. White privilege narrows our view of experience in so many ways. This book is educational and gets you thinking about how to can unlearn age old social patterns regarding race. I particularly liked the chapter breakdown with is sectioned under various topics. This makes the book easy to digest as well as the thought provoking questions in each section that encourage you to make notes and think about relevant examples in your own life. Definitely one of the books I've not heard about as much. Would highly recommend.
One person found this helpful
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Marlene
4.0 out of 5 stars Understanding racism
Reviewed in Canada on February 4, 2019
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This book is definitely worth reading. It really explains how racism started and how we got to where we are today. Also, what we can do about it.
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S Roberts
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing book...
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 27, 2018
Verified Purchase
This is a must read for anyone willing to learn and interested in equality and/or social cohesion.
As Peggy McIntosh says in her review.. it will hopefully take some of us from 'white oblivion to white awareness'.
I'd particularly encourage those working in Human Resources/Organisations to read it.
Thank you Debbie.
One person found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars it is particularly useful in posing appropriate questions and exercises at the end ...
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 22, 2015
Verified Purchase
I haven't finished reading this book yet, but so far it's impressive! If you are working in the area of diversity/anti-racism, it is particularly useful in posing appropriate questions and exercises at the end of each chapter. It is also a very useful perspective in discussing race and racism.
One person found this helpful
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