Description

Book Synopsis

As a white woman, ask yourself: are you upholding or fighting racism?

What''s Up with White Women? is a practical guide for white women who are interested in becoming more effective in their cross-cultural, anti-racist practices.

Blending real-life stories, theory, and anti-racism practices from decades of on-the-ground work, the authors invite white women to understand their gendered role in systemic racism and their unique opportunity for action. Both frank and compassionate, coverage includes:

  • Stories of white women''s experiences with sexism, racism, and white privilege
  • How white women harm BIPOC and ourselves by colluding with systems of oppression
  • Why and how white women often hijack race conversations
  • A powerful six-stage identity development model for self-reflection and growth
  • Guiding questions and practical actions for strengthening anti-racism practices
  • Tools to cultivate genuine par

    Table of Contents

    Foreword

    Acknowledgments

    1. Introduction
    The Canyon We Must Cross
    Working in Relationship
    A Push
    Focus Groups
    The Power of Language
    Acknowledging Our Lens

    2. A Power Analysis: White Women and Institutional Access
    Navigating Sexism
    Benefiting from White Privilege
    Occupying the Buffer Zone

    3. A Model of White Women's Development
    Overlapping Characteristics
    The Progression: Sexism Before White Privilege
    Feeling Each Phase
    Strategic Questions
    Using a Developmental Model

    4. Immersion
    Normalizing Whiteness
    Gender Role Limitations
    The Carrot and the Stick
    Advancing White Male Agendas
    Competing for Male Attention
    The Ideal Object
    Nice White Ladies Hurting People of Color
    Final Thoughts
    Feeling Immersion
    Strategic Questions for Immersion

    5. Capitulation
    Putting People of Color at Risk
    Stuck in the Middle with You
    Normalization of the White Woman
    What About Me?
    Silent Consent
    Between Helpless and Powerful
    Passive Aggression
    The Politics of Capitulation
    Final Thoughts
    Feeling Capitulation
    Strategic Questions for Capitulation

    6. Defense
    Defense Reversal
    Fighting for Crumbs: Sexism Versus Racism
    I Got This
    Take What I Want and Leave the Rest
    I Love Your People
    That's Not What I Meant!
    Helpful and Nice Aggression
    Please Join, as Long as You Make Me Feel Good
    Physically Defending Ourselves
    But I'm a Good Anti-­Racist: Defensiveness Toward People of Color
    Final Thoughts
    Feeling Defense
    Strategic Questions for Defense

    7. Projection
    Following the "Rules" of Anti-­Racist Allyship
    Dualistic Thinking
    Competing to be the Best White Person
    Relating to Black Men
    The Helper
    Final Thoughts
    Feeling Projection
    Strategic Questions for Projection

    8. Balance
    Driving in the Ocean
    Intersectionality
    So, How Do We Do This?
    Awareness
    Knowledge
    Skills
    Action/Advocacy
    Final Thoughts
    Feeling Balance
    Strategic Questions for Balance

    9. Integration
    Capturing a Moment
    Being With One Another
    Final Thoughts
    Feeling Integration
    Strategic Questions for Integration

    10. White Women's Tears
    Women of Color and Tears
    White Women's Tears As a Response to Sexism
    Tears for Fears
    The Impact of White Women's Tears
    Tears in Immersion
    Tears in Capitulation
    Tears in Defense
    Tears when Transitioning to Projection
    Tears in Projection
    Tears in Balance
    Tears in Integration
    Beyond Tears

    11. If What, Now What?
    Grow Awareness and Knowledge
    Using Awareness and Knowledge to Inform Skills
    Interrupt Oppression
    Connect with People of Color
    Final Thoughts (For Now)

    Appendix A: Community Conversations: A Guide for Collective Praxis
    Getting it Together
    Things to Consider: Some Unhelpful Common Patterns of White Women
    Let's Get Real: Using Serial Testimony for Deep Reflection
    The Basics
    Reflection Topics— Examples

    Appendix B: Focus Group Participants
    Definitions
    Focus Group Participant Book List

    Notes
    Index
    About the Authors
    About New Society Publishers

Whats Up with White Women

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    £17.09

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    RRP £17.99 – you save £0.90 (5%)

    Order before 4pm tomorrow for delivery by Sat 20 Jun 2026.

    A Paperback / softback by Ilsa Govan, Tilman Smith

    2 in stock

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      Publisher: New Society Publishers
      Publication Date: 19/10/2021
      ISBN13: 9780865719613, 978-0865719613
      ISBN10: 865719616
      Also in:
      Politics, Philosophy & Society Gender studies: women and girls Social discrimination and social justice

      Description

      Book Synopsis

      As a white woman, ask yourself: are you upholding or fighting racism?

      What''s Up with White Women? is a practical guide for white women who are interested in becoming more effective in their cross-cultural, anti-racist practices.

      Blending real-life stories, theory, and anti-racism practices from decades of on-the-ground work, the authors invite white women to understand their gendered role in systemic racism and their unique opportunity for action. Both frank and compassionate, coverage includes:

      • Stories of white women''s experiences with sexism, racism, and white privilege
      • How white women harm BIPOC and ourselves by colluding with systems of oppression
      • Why and how white women often hijack race conversations
      • A powerful six-stage identity development model for self-reflection and growth
      • Guiding questions and practical actions for strengthening anti-racism practices
      • Tools to cultivate genuine par

        Table of Contents

        Foreword

        Acknowledgments

        1. Introduction
        The Canyon We Must Cross
        Working in Relationship
        A Push
        Focus Groups
        The Power of Language
        Acknowledging Our Lens

        2. A Power Analysis: White Women and Institutional Access
        Navigating Sexism
        Benefiting from White Privilege
        Occupying the Buffer Zone

        3. A Model of White Women's Development
        Overlapping Characteristics
        The Progression: Sexism Before White Privilege
        Feeling Each Phase
        Strategic Questions
        Using a Developmental Model

        4. Immersion
        Normalizing Whiteness
        Gender Role Limitations
        The Carrot and the Stick
        Advancing White Male Agendas
        Competing for Male Attention
        The Ideal Object
        Nice White Ladies Hurting People of Color
        Final Thoughts
        Feeling Immersion
        Strategic Questions for Immersion

        5. Capitulation
        Putting People of Color at Risk
        Stuck in the Middle with You
        Normalization of the White Woman
        What About Me?
        Silent Consent
        Between Helpless and Powerful
        Passive Aggression
        The Politics of Capitulation
        Final Thoughts
        Feeling Capitulation
        Strategic Questions for Capitulation

        6. Defense
        Defense Reversal
        Fighting for Crumbs: Sexism Versus Racism
        I Got This
        Take What I Want and Leave the Rest
        I Love Your People
        That's Not What I Meant!
        Helpful and Nice Aggression
        Please Join, as Long as You Make Me Feel Good
        Physically Defending Ourselves
        But I'm a Good Anti-­Racist: Defensiveness Toward People of Color
        Final Thoughts
        Feeling Defense
        Strategic Questions for Defense

        7. Projection
        Following the "Rules" of Anti-­Racist Allyship
        Dualistic Thinking
        Competing to be the Best White Person
        Relating to Black Men
        The Helper
        Final Thoughts
        Feeling Projection
        Strategic Questions for Projection

        8. Balance
        Driving in the Ocean
        Intersectionality
        So, How Do We Do This?
        Awareness
        Knowledge
        Skills
        Action/Advocacy
        Final Thoughts
        Feeling Balance
        Strategic Questions for Balance

        9. Integration
        Capturing a Moment
        Being With One Another
        Final Thoughts
        Feeling Integration
        Strategic Questions for Integration

        10. White Women's Tears
        Women of Color and Tears
        White Women's Tears As a Response to Sexism
        Tears for Fears
        The Impact of White Women's Tears
        Tears in Immersion
        Tears in Capitulation
        Tears in Defense
        Tears when Transitioning to Projection
        Tears in Projection
        Tears in Balance
        Tears in Integration
        Beyond Tears

        11. If What, Now What?
        Grow Awareness and Knowledge
        Using Awareness and Knowledge to Inform Skills
        Interrupt Oppression
        Connect with People of Color
        Final Thoughts (For Now)

        Appendix A: Community Conversations: A Guide for Collective Praxis
        Getting it Together
        Things to Consider: Some Unhelpful Common Patterns of White Women
        Let's Get Real: Using Serial Testimony for Deep Reflection
        The Basics
        Reflection Topics— Examples

        Appendix B: Focus Group Participants
        Definitions
        Focus Group Participant Book List

        Notes
        Index
        About the Authors
        About New Society Publishers

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