The Education of a WASP

Wisconsin Studies in Autobiography

by Lois Mark Stalvey

Brimming with honestly and passion, The Education of a WASP chronicles one white woman's discovery of racism in 1960s America. First published in 1970 and highly acclaimed by reviewers, Lois Stalvey's account is as timely now as it was then. Nearly twenty years later, with ugly racial incidents occurring on college campuses, in neighborhoods, and in workplaces everywhere, her account of personal encounters with racism remains deeply disturbing. Educators and general readers interested in the subtleties of racism will find the story poignant, revealing, and profoundly moving.
“Delightful and horrible, a singular book.” —Choice

“An extraordinarily honest and revealing book that poses the issue: loyalty to one’s ethnic group or loyalty to conscience.” —Publishers Weekly

Genres: Nonfiction, Race, Social Justice, Memoir, History, Anti Racist, Sociology

346 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1970

Reviews

[Dawn C. · Rating 3 out of 5]

It saddened me that incidents in this book that happened in the 60's are still happening today. Are we ever, as a society, going to overcome this?

[Deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are plenty of books written by authors who live the American Black experience. Those are preferable to this one.

However, to a white person who doesn’t understand what racism in America is all about, this book could be an accessible entry point into better understanding.

An education of a WASP is well written. The author has a very good understanding of who she is and her ability to grow and self reflect are quite impressive.

There some moments of “white savior” or “I know better” that are annoying (in the second half of the book). But mostly she is thoughtful and it’s an impressive read.

Unfortunately, there is a strong sense of “wow, this book could be written today!” And it’s sad how little has changed since the 1960s.

[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Had to read this for class, turned out just loving it. Written by a white woman in the 60's-70's, who realizes she has isolated herself from all the racism in the country, so she sets about "educating" herself and her family on the status of race in the USA in the 60's. It's really, really interesting and thought provoking. It's very easy to read.

[Janice · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm so glad I have the 1989 version with the Afterward because the ending of the 1970 printing has such a depressing ending.

[Julie Ricenbaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was another book I had to read for my multicultural education course through Doane. This book is written by a white women, Louis Stalvey, during the 1960's era. The book consists of a collection of experiences with racism from Louis' point of view. This book helps you evaluate your own prejudices and takes you on a little bit of a self discovery journey. Louis was extremely courageous and stood up for her own beliefs during a time of much hate for black people. She went through difficult times exploring and acting upon her beliefs. I believe this book is very empowering and would be a great read for new and experienced teachers at all grade levels.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is truly an eye opener and should be read by any individual curious enough to learn about the nuances of race, especially in the 60s. Now, with racial tensions developing across the American nation thanks to certain political candidates, this book becomes more potent than ever before. Almost 60 years has passed and yet, very little has changed in what we are told to consider a modern civilization.

Lois was raising her WASP family in the early 60s when she received an eye opening experience after listening to a speaker point out some rather cruel racial problems in the world. Lois, still naive, believed these problems were easily healed and fixed, but would soon come to find out that they are much bigger than herself and even her few friends she rallys to her side.

This book is simultaneously fascinating and horrifying, especially as it applies to today. Lois is brave enough to not only combat racial inequities, mostly between blacks and whites, in the 60s, but was also courageous enough to write a book about it in hopes that she could penetrate more minds than just those she knew personally. She does not shy away from how uncomfortable a lot of this process was for her an for her black friends. In short, she had to swallow the fact that being white allowed her certain rights that has and always has been stripped from blacks in America. Whether or not you see these inequities is what Lois seems to first strive to prove.

In this time in America, it's important to see all people as just people. Another human, just like us, but just looks a little different. We are the smartest creatures on this planet and yet we get hung up on such petty differences as class, race, socio-economic status, location, and belief. Equality for all has replaced Black Power, and yet we are spinning our tires just the same. This is a true book, an honest book, and something that should be read in classrooms and as a personally educational experience. It only works, however, if you follow in Stalvey's footsteps.

[Viviana · Rating 5 out of 5]

50 years have passed since this book was published and sadly, not much has changed in terms of racism in this country. Ms. Stalvey's first and second-hand experiences with racism in 60s USA is gripping. Racism has never left us and now, it is so out in the open as it has become normalized. An important read for any white and white passing person who desires a glimpse into what it is like to live as a POC in this country. It is though provoking and will open your mind to another reality; to another set of rules; to another way of living when you are left with little choice.

[Brad Neece · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enlightening! Stalvey, a WASP, gives us a front row seat into the first and second-hand education she received during the 50s and 60s on racial injustice, as she and her husband boldly and willingly thrust themselves into a multitude of friendships with African Americans during an era in which it is was unpopular (to say the least) to do so.

[Lisa Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Still Relevant

Sadly, this autobiographical book is still relevant today. I don’t want to believe that 50 years have seen so little progress in race relations, and that white Americans are still woefully ignorant of both the history and the current realities. Read this book and see.

[Nikki Gamer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for any white person
(Myself included) to understand the serpentine monster that is American racism. What’s eerie is that some of her passages could have been written today as we are just reliving the past because of white fear and guilt. I will be thinking about this book for a long time to come.

[Sarah Peszka Walton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this. I was expecting a dry non fiction but it’s a fascinating memoir of a white accomplice in the 1960’s civil rights movement in Omaha and Philadelphia. Especially interesting to hear stories from my own neighborhood during the Philly chapters.

[Kaitlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love memoir’s and overall it was really well written and sadly still relevant to today, although it looks a little different. I especially enjoyed the epilogue.

[Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't say this lightly, but I found this book to be life-changing. Stalvey gives incredible insight that helps you see stereotypes in an entirely different light and aids you in understanding better how and why minorities often can't catch a break. This book could easily increase our potential for compassion and caring feelings for others, and as a result, I strongly encourage everyone to add it to their reading lists.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eyeopening autobiography of a white women in the 60's who has become close friends with many African American families. This is her story on their stuggle in society through her eyes, with a focus on housing and social segregation in our country providing a great insight into sociatal segragation today.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great conversations about race, privilege, teaching and parenting (although I can't speak to the last one).

[J]

Just found out this is about Philadelphia!

[Angela · Rating 2 out of 5]

December book club selection

[Jada · Rating 4 out of 5]

I reread this this summer and it still taught me so much. Maybe I wasn't ready to learn some things earlier. Maybe I should read again... Such an honest book.

[Aaron Gupta · Rating 1 out of 5]

reading this bookf or school yawn not interstig

[Lindsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Had to read this for my Racism and Sexism class in college and loved it! Very eye opening and really makes you think about your unknown biases. Highly recommend!

[Emily Jo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting read, but I had to read it in such a short amount of time, I really didn't appreciate it.

[Aunty Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most insightful books that I have ever read; this book gets into areas that may make some people uncomfortable about how they perceive things.

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books that I have ever read. I think that this book should be required reading for everyone.

[Amelia Holcomb · Rating 4 out of 5]

An important memoir highlighting the insanity of racism only a handful of decades ago. The fight continues.

[Peggy Schuster · Rating 5 out of 5]

I came away from this book feeling drained and incredibly frustrated (and, I believe, that's exactly how everyone should feel after reading it) because very, very little has changed in the almost 50 years since this was written. It feels like all the efforts, struggles, and suffering of leaders like Malcolm X, Martin Luther King, Jr., and scores of others, both white and black, (including the author herself) have made very little impact when you look at the atrocities occuring in our United States today. Every day there are stories of one ethnicity or one religion trying to dominate, stereotype, or eliminate another. When does it end? How does it end?