Book Talk | Dismantling Systemic Racism Day 18

I began this book last week and would love to have discussions based on the prompts provided within the book. The book is set up so that after each day's reading, there are a handful of prompts to respond to. Feel free to respond to as many or as few as you like. I would love for this to be a discussion and a place where we can learn and grow together. Please be honest, because that is the only way anything will change.

Additionally, I have been compiling a list of books under the #BlackLivesMatter Reading List tab. I am usually adding books daily that I find, or are recommended by others. Please leave a comment on that page if you have titles to add. I hope you can find titles on this list that you will learn from as well.

Day Eighteen Prompts

Allyship - an active, consistent, and challenging practice of unlearning and reevaluating, in which a person of privilege seeks to work in solidarity with a marginalized group (definition given at 49%)

White saviorism - the belief that people with white privilege, who see themselves as superior in capability and intelligence, have the obligation to "save" BIPOC from their supposed inferiority and helplessness (definition at 59%)

1. What white savior narratives have you noticed yourself buying into (whether consciously or unconsciously)?

2. In what ways have you believed that BIPOC are helpless and require intervention from people with white privilege?

3. In what ways have you tried to intervene or offer instruction or guidance, believing that your (superior white) view would offer the best solutions?

4. In what ways have you spoken over BIPOC or for them because you felt you could explain their needs and experiences better than they could? In what ways have you put BIPOC words through a white filter?

5. How have you unconsciously thought about dismantling racism as something that you needed to give your "help" to as a good white savior?

6. what has your reaction been when BIPOC have told you or other people with white privilege that they do not need your "help" and that instead they need to you listen, do the work, and follow BIPOC leadership? What reactions have you noticed coming up (e.g., white fragility, tone policing, white exceptionalism, white superiority, etc.)?

Let's talk!

Sarah