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What Lies Between Us Journal & Guide: Fostering First Steps Toward Racial Healing
We desire change, but where do we start? How about with an examination of our beliefs! The race lie has birthed a legacy of lies that has shaped our consciousness and actions. Author, Lucretia Carter Berry, designed this journal and guide as a companion to ‘What Lies Between Us’ small (or large) group studies for fostering first steps toward racial healing. The journal component helps participants self-evaluate their thoughts, ideas, feelings and learning, which is particularly valuable when learning new concepts or beginning to grapple with complex issues that go beyond right and wrong answers. The guide component offers a structured format for engaging in educational content and guided group discussions.
- GenresNonfictionRace
72 pages, Paperback
Published September 11, 2016
7 people are currently reading
134 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
July 15, 2020
Highly recommend this book/course with Brownicity. I will sign up to take it again because learning makes change happen. We need change in our country NOW. The Brownicity team promotes that change in a caring, loving, thoughtful way. I am grateful to have had this opportunity.
November 11, 2017
This workbook is an excellent resource for taking concrete steps toward racial healing. Lucretia Berry offers penetrating questions for personal reflection and group dialogue that dig below the unconscious assumptions that continue to divide us. The workbook encourages the reader to interact with other resources to gain a better understanding of race/ism. I especially appreciate the spirit in which Berry offers this resource. She is committed to bringing racial healing rather than blaming and shaming. I believe that thoughtful interaction with this workbook and the resources it points to will lead to the healing that Berry envisions. While this workbook can be beneficial for an individual to work through alone, I believe that going through it with a group would enhance its value.
July 29, 2020
Highly recommend this book and the online course that goes with it. I learned so much and got so much out of being able to consider all that was brought to light in regards to actual history and my own beliefs and biases.
July 18, 2020
Read this as part of the Brownicity course “What Lies Between Us.” I recommend it, and I also accidentally ordered an extra copy if anyone wants one!
July 16, 2020
A great workbook to understand the creation of race in America and the systems that continue to perpetuate racism and white supremacy. There’s a five-week course that can be done alongside the workbook that I highly recommend. Can be completed individually or in a group.
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March 19, 2025Book Review: What LIES Between Us Journal & Guide: Fostering First Steps Toward Racial Healing
Author: Lucretia Carter Berry
Lucretia Carter Berry’s “What LIES Between Us Journal & Guide: Fostering First Steps Toward Racial Healing” emerges as a poignant and insightful resource aimed at addressing the complex and often painful realities of racial divides within society. By providing a structured framework for reflection, dialogue, and personal growth, Berry encourages readers to engage in meaningful conversations about race and its impact on individuals and communities. This journal and guide not only serves as a tool for personal introspection but also as a catalyst for broader social change.
At its core, the book is organized around the central themes of listening, understanding, and healing, fostering an environment where readers can confront their own biases and preconceptions. Berry’s approachable writing style and thoughtful prompts invite deep self-reflection, making it an accessible tool for individuals who may be grappling with their own experiences and perspectives on race. The journal format allows for a personalized journey, as readers can document their thoughts and feelings, making the process of exploration both intimate and impactful.
One of the most commendable aspects of Berry’s work is her commitment to intersectionality. She emphasizes the necessity of considering various identities, such as class, gender, and sexuality, in discussions about race. This holistic approach enriches the dialogue around racial healing, acknowledging that individual experiences are shaped by a multitude of factors. This inclusivity not only broadens the scope of the conversation but also ensures that diverse voices are recognized and valued.
Berry’s framework for fostering racial healing is deeply rooted in the principles of empathy and active listening. Throughout the journal, she provides practical strategies for engaging in difficult conversations, equipping readers with the skills necessary to navigate potentially uncomfortable discussions regarding race. By advocating for open dialogue and vulnerability, Berry emphasizes the importance of building trust and understanding as foundational steps toward healing.
However, while the book excels in providing a pathway for individual reflection and interpersonal engagement, it may benefit from a more robust exploration of systemic issues surrounding race. Although Berry skillfully addresses personal biases and experiences, a deeper examination of institutional racism and its pervasive effects could reinforce the necessity for collective action alongside personal growth. Readers seeking a comprehensive understanding of racial dynamics may find themselves longing for a more thorough discussion of societal structures that perpetuate inequality.
Additionally, while the journal’s prompts are thought-provoking and encourage active participation, some readers might benefit from more guidance on how to implement the insights gained through the journaling process into real-world advocacy and activism. Berry touches on these themes, but a clearer roadmap for translating personal insights into systemic change would enhance the practical utility of the guide.
In conclusion, “What LIES Between Us Journal & Guide: Fostering First Steps Toward Racial Healing” by Lucretia Carter Berry is a significant contribution to the ongoing dialogue about race and healing in contemporary society. By blending personal reflection with actionable strategies, Berry offers readers a vital resource for navigating the complexities of race and fostering understanding. While there are areas where the book could expand its scope, particularly regarding systemic issues, its strengths lie in its compassionate approach, intersectional perspective, and commitment to fostering dialogue. This journal and guide is highly recommended for individuals and groups looking to embark on a journey of racial healing and understanding, making it a valuable addition to the discourse on race in America.
Author: Lucretia Carter Berry
Lucretia Carter Berry’s “What LIES Between Us Journal & Guide: Fostering First Steps Toward Racial Healing” emerges as a poignant and insightful resource aimed at addressing the complex and often painful realities of racial divides within society. By providing a structured framework for reflection, dialogue, and personal growth, Berry encourages readers to engage in meaningful conversations about race and its impact on individuals and communities. This journal and guide not only serves as a tool for personal introspection but also as a catalyst for broader social change.
At its core, the book is organized around the central themes of listening, understanding, and healing, fostering an environment where readers can confront their own biases and preconceptions. Berry’s approachable writing style and thoughtful prompts invite deep self-reflection, making it an accessible tool for individuals who may be grappling with their own experiences and perspectives on race. The journal format allows for a personalized journey, as readers can document their thoughts and feelings, making the process of exploration both intimate and impactful.
One of the most commendable aspects of Berry’s work is her commitment to intersectionality. She emphasizes the necessity of considering various identities, such as class, gender, and sexuality, in discussions about race. This holistic approach enriches the dialogue around racial healing, acknowledging that individual experiences are shaped by a multitude of factors. This inclusivity not only broadens the scope of the conversation but also ensures that diverse voices are recognized and valued.
Berry’s framework for fostering racial healing is deeply rooted in the principles of empathy and active listening. Throughout the journal, she provides practical strategies for engaging in difficult conversations, equipping readers with the skills necessary to navigate potentially uncomfortable discussions regarding race. By advocating for open dialogue and vulnerability, Berry emphasizes the importance of building trust and understanding as foundational steps toward healing.
However, while the book excels in providing a pathway for individual reflection and interpersonal engagement, it may benefit from a more robust exploration of systemic issues surrounding race. Although Berry skillfully addresses personal biases and experiences, a deeper examination of institutional racism and its pervasive effects could reinforce the necessity for collective action alongside personal growth. Readers seeking a comprehensive understanding of racial dynamics may find themselves longing for a more thorough discussion of societal structures that perpetuate inequality.
Additionally, while the journal’s prompts are thought-provoking and encourage active participation, some readers might benefit from more guidance on how to implement the insights gained through the journaling process into real-world advocacy and activism. Berry touches on these themes, but a clearer roadmap for translating personal insights into systemic change would enhance the practical utility of the guide.
In conclusion, “What LIES Between Us Journal & Guide: Fostering First Steps Toward Racial Healing” by Lucretia Carter Berry is a significant contribution to the ongoing dialogue about race and healing in contemporary society. By blending personal reflection with actionable strategies, Berry offers readers a vital resource for navigating the complexities of race and fostering understanding. While there are areas where the book could expand its scope, particularly regarding systemic issues, its strengths lie in its compassionate approach, intersectional perspective, and commitment to fostering dialogue. This journal and guide is highly recommended for individuals and groups looking to embark on a journey of racial healing and understanding, making it a valuable addition to the discourse on race in America.
September 15, 2020
Study guide which I did along with taking her 5-week webinar course by the same name. Together, they are educational, eye opening, and so helpful to look at the issue of race and prejudice in a different (more realistic) light. Dr. Berry is intentional about offering a no-shame, safe space to learn.
I highly recommend the course, especially as a starting place for people like me - white, middle class, don't view myself as racist, assumed that what I was taught in elementary school was a fact rather than a noble desire - that the USA offers the opportunity for ANYONE who wants it enough to "pull themselves up by their own bootstraps" - and I didn't understand why the "race issue" isn't in our past and doesn't go away.
I highly recommend the course, especially as a starting place for people like me - white, middle class, don't view myself as racist, assumed that what I was taught in elementary school was a fact rather than a noble desire - that the USA offers the opportunity for ANYONE who wants it enough to "pull themselves up by their own bootstraps" - and I didn't understand why the "race issue" isn't in our past and doesn't go away.
August 22, 2020
5 stars for the course itself - the workbook is for the course.
March 8, 2021
This faith based study on the racial lies we have been told over the years was quite good. More than this book itself, the online resources at Brownicity.com were FABULOUS!
December 21, 2021
Excellent companion to the online curriculum and live small group discussions
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October 9, 2018 What Lies Between Us Journal and Guide is a comprehensive study of racism that unveils pointedly racist writings, laws and court cases that influenced people in the United States across the span of our history. Many of the writings and court cases are from unsuspected people. The court cases harmed individuals, not just the litigates, but also individuals far beyond the scope of these cases. The book and website contain great resources for understanding our national racist past.
The book ends with the words, "WE can choose a frame of justice, love, grace, mercy, friendship, forgiveness and ONEness." While the book does an excellent job of displaying the problem, it is weak in bringing forth any solution.
The book ends with the words, "WE can choose a frame of justice, love, grace, mercy, friendship, forgiveness and ONEness." While the book does an excellent job of displaying the problem, it is weak in bringing forth any solution.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews