Over the next 2 years Bookmarks will address the topic racism through the writings of past and contemporary authors who challenge us to uncover our understanding of racism.

Waking Up White
By Debby Irving

“Waking Up White is the book I wish someone had handed me decades ago. My hope is that by sharing my sometimes cringe-worthy struggle to understand racism and racial tensions, I offer a fresh perspective on bias, stereotypes, manners, and tolerance. As I unpack my own long-held beliefs about colorblindness, being a good person, and wanting to help people of color, I reveal how each of these well-intentioned mindsets actually perpetuated my ill-conceived ideas about race. 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

Date: January 22 and February 26, 2024

Time: 7-8 pm (ET), 6-7 pm (CT), 5- 6 pm (MT), 5 pm (PT)

Leaders: Sr. Bobbi Bussan and Kim Voyle

Fee: $15/session