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If there is one topic of discussion that makes people more uncomfortable than prejudice, it's privilege. Both elements constitute opposite sides of the same injustice, so to only speak of one would leave the conversation woefully incomplete. In his thematic memoir, [b:White Like Me: Reflections on Race from a Privileged Son|88362|White Like Me Reflections on Race from a Privileged Son|Tim Wise|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1328690631l/88362._SY75_.jpg|1082257], Tim Wise details the self-reflection of his own white privilege in an accessible and personal account.
While good, I do not rate this book higher for two reasons. First, as the concepts of this book are extracted wholly from Tim's personal exploration, I do feel that there are elements of privilege theory that were left underdeveloped. There is an absence of literature on the subject, but the lack of a bibliography was still nonetheless disappointing. Second, Frances E. Kendall wrote a better book on this topic, [b:Understanding White Privilege: Creating Pathways to Authentic Relationships Across Race|929327|Understanding White Privilege Creating Pathways to Authentic Relationships Across Race|Frances E. Kendall|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1347620704l/929327._SY75_.jpg|914320], that I feel better tackles the subject-matter, especially when it comes to different levels of privilege and how they interplay.
That said, Tim's personal account is worth reading. There is something moving about a person honestly detailing how they were wrong about something important, even if it paints a deeply unflattering image, and then how they learned from their mistakes and moved to do better. Furthermore, as many of these examples of Tim's privilege are presented through his own prominent memories of eureka moments in which he erred, he does do a good job of showing how even well-meaning people can unwittingly contribute to societal problems.
"...we mustn't romanticize our resistance, but fight to maintain its presence in our lives, knowing that it could easily vanish in a moment of weakness, anger, insecurity, or fear... it is because we spend so much of our time in that other place--a place of diminished capacity and wavering commitment--that we have to be careful" (92)
Also good, is his approach to being an ally. Pointing out your privilege should be neither an outward accusation (unless it has to be, and sometimes it really does) nor an uncouth call for personal self-aggrandizement to show what a "good" person you are--it should be just stating basic reality. Truth-telling is the bare minimum for being a decent person, and acknowledging racial privilege does not belittle other types of personal struggle (e.g., gender, sexuality, nationality, mental health, poverty, etc.). Tim does a good job of explaining how his white privilege benefited and protected him from poor choices, while others making the same mistakes would have faced far more serious consequences.
Overall, this is a pretty solid book and it's worth reading, though I would recommend the Kendall volume first.
While good, I do not rate this book higher for two reasons. First, as the concepts of this book are extracted wholly from Tim's personal exploration, I do feel that there are elements of privilege theory that were left underdeveloped. There is an absence of literature on the subject, but the lack of a bibliography was still nonetheless disappointing. Second, Frances E. Kendall wrote a better book on this topic, [b:Understanding White Privilege: Creating Pathways to Authentic Relationships Across Race|929327|Understanding White Privilege Creating Pathways to Authentic Relationships Across Race|Frances E. Kendall|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1347620704l/929327._SY75_.jpg|914320], that I feel better tackles the subject-matter, especially when it comes to different levels of privilege and how they interplay.
That said, Tim's personal account is worth reading. There is something moving about a person honestly detailing how they were wrong about something important, even if it paints a deeply unflattering image, and then how they learned from their mistakes and moved to do better. Furthermore, as many of these examples of Tim's privilege are presented through his own prominent memories of eureka moments in which he erred, he does do a good job of showing how even well-meaning people can unwittingly contribute to societal problems.
"...we mustn't romanticize our resistance, but fight to maintain its presence in our lives, knowing that it could easily vanish in a moment of weakness, anger, insecurity, or fear... it is because we spend so much of our time in that other place--a place of diminished capacity and wavering commitment--that we have to be careful" (92)
Also good, is his approach to being an ally. Pointing out your privilege should be neither an outward accusation (unless it has to be, and sometimes it really does) nor an uncouth call for personal self-aggrandizement to show what a "good" person you are--it should be just stating basic reality. Truth-telling is the bare minimum for being a decent person, and acknowledging racial privilege does not belittle other types of personal struggle (e.g., gender, sexuality, nationality, mental health, poverty, etc.). Tim does a good job of explaining how his white privilege benefited and protected him from poor choices, while others making the same mistakes would have faced far more serious consequences.
Overall, this is a pretty solid book and it's worth reading, though I would recommend the Kendall volume first.