Facing the White Shadow

Facing the White Shadow: How to Tame Your Racism and Become a True Ally to People of Color

is for White people who are just starting the work of understanding their racism and also for those who have been doing the work but still experience anxiety and wonder what they might be doing wrong. Many White people often feel overwhelmed, ashamed, and confused about how to be trustworthy antiracist allies to people of color. Facing the White Shadow is a self-help book that guides White readers to understand and manage their own racism. Readers learn how to be vigilant and talk back to their internalized racism—their White shadows—so they can enjoy authentic and mutually satisfying relationships with people of color. No more tensing up at work when race is discussed. No more fear of being misunderstood by friends or called out or cancelled on social media. Filled with relatable stories, exercises, and solid advice, this book offers a compassionate framework for White readers without minimizing the devastating effects of racism on people of color. The book is a unique collaboration between a preeminent Black couple and family therapist who is also a longtime trainer in the field of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and a White journalist who has reported on issues of racial, social, and economic justice for decades.