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A Race Is a Nice Thing to Have: A Guide to Being a White Person or Understanding the White Persons in Your Life
A Race Is a Nice Thing to Have: A Guide to Being a White Person or Understanding the White Persons in Your Life is designed to help White people fully recognize and accept their racial identity, assume the proper responsibility for ending racism, and develop an understanding of how racism impacts their own racial group.
This powerful text encourages positive racial adjustment and deeper levels of self-understanding. The book explores the meaning of race in society, the "color-blindness" movement, the problem of ignorance about Whiteness, the various phases of internalized racism, and other critical topics. Evocative and meaningful activities throughout the text foster reflection and increased levels of self-awareness and acceptance.
The third edition features updated references and charts, as well as a new foreword by Dr. Allen Ivey.
A Race Is a Nice Thing to Have is part of the Cognella Series on Advances in Culture, Race, and Ethnicity. The series, endorsed by Division 45 of the American Psychological Association, addresses critical and emerging issues within culture, race, and ethnic studies, as well as specific topics among key ethnocultural groups.
Janet E. Helms is the Augustus Long Professor in the Department of Counseling, Developmental, and Educational Psychology and the director of the Institute for the Study and Promotion of Race and Culture at Boston College. A licensed psychologist, Dr. Helms is past president of the Society of Counseling Psychology (Division 17 of the APA). She received the 2019 APA Gold Medal Award for Life Achievement in Psychology in the Public Interest and has served on the editorial boards of the journals of Assessment, Counseling Psychology, Cultural Diversity, and Ethnic Minority Psychology. Dr. Helms has written many articles and books, and conducts workshops on racial identity, counseling practice, and mental health.
This powerful text encourages positive racial adjustment and deeper levels of self-understanding. The book explores the meaning of race in society, the "color-blindness" movement, the problem of ignorance about Whiteness, the various phases of internalized racism, and other critical topics. Evocative and meaningful activities throughout the text foster reflection and increased levels of self-awareness and acceptance.
The third edition features updated references and charts, as well as a new foreword by Dr. Allen Ivey.
A Race Is a Nice Thing to Have is part of the Cognella Series on Advances in Culture, Race, and Ethnicity. The series, endorsed by Division 45 of the American Psychological Association, addresses critical and emerging issues within culture, race, and ethnic studies, as well as specific topics among key ethnocultural groups.
Janet E. Helms is the Augustus Long Professor in the Department of Counseling, Developmental, and Educational Psychology and the director of the Institute for the Study and Promotion of Race and Culture at Boston College. A licensed psychologist, Dr. Helms is past president of the Society of Counseling Psychology (Division 17 of the APA). She received the 2019 APA Gold Medal Award for Life Achievement in Psychology in the Public Interest and has served on the editorial boards of the journals of Assessment, Counseling Psychology, Cultural Diversity, and Ethnic Minority Psychology. Dr. Helms has written many articles and books, and conducts workshops on racial identity, counseling practice, and mental health.
106 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1992
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
December 27, 2020
“In this country, Whites seem to be the only racial group that spends more time and effort wondering about the implications of race for other groups than it does for itself. White people have difficulty accepting that they have a race and therefore are threatened by groups who have no such difficulties. Likewise, they seem to have no models for thinking about Whiteness as a healthy part of themselves rather than as a negative aspect of others.”
This book should be required reading for all White people. Janet Helms is brilliant and offers folks so much to consider in this book.
This book should be required reading for all White people. Janet Helms is brilliant and offers folks so much to consider in this book.
February 18, 2011
Nicely done. Very succinct and to the point. I found it beneficial to for me in my own development and also as an exercise to think about how I present the concept of privilege and White identity to others. I'm trying to figure what the proper use of this book is. I suppose it would be good to use as a guided exercise, perhaps in a semester-long course. For someone who has pondered these questions for some time and filled their cylinder with at least some amount of the non-racist White Identity stages, I think this is a good read to reinforce and help continue on a path to a healthy White Identity. For those who may be confronting these concepts for the first time, I fear, without guided assistance and processing, the content doesn't go deep enough. Overall an important piece of work very clearly explained. Also really appreciate the thought-provoking questions and exercises throughout.
February 22, 2025
In "A Race is A Nice Thing to Have," the author Janet E. Helms does an amazing job with discussing the topic of race in a way that is not only interesting to the reader but also in a relatable manner. She helps us as readers understand that race isn’t just about skin color or a person’s ethnicity it's more of a social idea shaped by history and culture. This book contains a collection of personal stories, research, and interesting exercises that make it easy for readers to understand and appreciate.
One of the main ideas Helms shares within the book is that race is a social construct. She explains that society has created categories around race that have lead to stereotypes and misunderstandings. By us viewing race this way, we can start to question our own assumptions and biases, which is a very important step for building empathy and understanding of other cultures and diverse communities.
Helms also talks about how we develop our racial identities. She introduces a model that outlines the different stages people go through as they figure out their own racial identity. For example, some white people may say that they do not think much about their own race, but they end up later having experiences with others that make them aware of it. This model helps readers reflect on their personal journeys and understand the breakdown of racial identity.
The book includes helpful exercises in each chapter that encourage you to think about what you’ve read and relate it to your own life. These activities are a great way to engage in conversations about race and get people involved in discussing their experiences. I believe this book does a great job at aiming to raise awareness about racial issues and encourages white readers to take an active role in promoting inclusivity and understanding. Helms motivates readers to engage in ongoing learning and conversation about race, aiming to inspire all to contribute to a more equitable and accepting society.
One of the main ideas Helms shares within the book is that race is a social construct. She explains that society has created categories around race that have lead to stereotypes and misunderstandings. By us viewing race this way, we can start to question our own assumptions and biases, which is a very important step for building empathy and understanding of other cultures and diverse communities.
Helms also talks about how we develop our racial identities. She introduces a model that outlines the different stages people go through as they figure out their own racial identity. For example, some white people may say that they do not think much about their own race, but they end up later having experiences with others that make them aware of it. This model helps readers reflect on their personal journeys and understand the breakdown of racial identity.
The book includes helpful exercises in each chapter that encourage you to think about what you’ve read and relate it to your own life. These activities are a great way to engage in conversations about race and get people involved in discussing their experiences. I believe this book does a great job at aiming to raise awareness about racial issues and encourages white readers to take an active role in promoting inclusivity and understanding. Helms motivates readers to engage in ongoing learning and conversation about race, aiming to inspire all to contribute to a more equitable and accepting society.
May 10, 2023
A fantastic book. While it is under 100 pages long, this one took me a while to get through because of how much time I spent thinking and reflecting. I heard Dr Helms speak at a training about race, and was struck by the power of her words regarding the need for us to figure out how racism impacts all of us in order to be effective as an "ally" (not that she uses the word ally, because it's not the right word). Her book is direct and factual, and gets to the point about the importance of race and race identity development as a white person for the benefit of ourselves as well as people of color. A very accessible book that I would recommend to any white person who wants to or is willing to look at their own racial identity in any capacity.
December 7, 2017
This was a book that looked at how White People view themselves in society and how that can often lead to a natural racism. It is an academic text and to be honest, it was not easy to get through even though it was short. There were many important points in here, but I feel like I have read them all in many other places.
July 10, 2021
This book is for white people. I mean I'd you are not white you can certainly buy it and read it. You might even learn something but you probably should give if to a white person and have them read it. Maybe even read it with them. Help them with the book. Cause honestly as a white person I can tell you we, white people, are a hot mess.
August 12, 2020
Such an important book to work through. It is challenging at times, but that is the point. This is not supposed to be easy. This is the foundational work in the transition to understanding your own identity.
February 17, 2021
Great! It really helped me to understand White racial identity development, where I am (and have been) on that development scale and the ways I can continue to develop. These are important steps to truly dismantling racism. It is a dry, academic read, though. Thankfully, it's retty quick.
March 15, 2022
Although some of the language in the book is becoming outdated. The model and its principles are helpful and informative. The book also contains exercises for self reflection and personal evaluation. Love that!! Worth the read if you want to continue on your anti racism journey.
February 11, 2023
At times this book was insightful, but for the most part, I felt like she did not substantiate her positions. She writes with authority about the White race and in particular, how Whites think…and she was wrong, a lot, at least with regards to my experience.
June 3, 2023
This book is a must-read for every white person. Dr, Helms presents a relatable framework through which white people can understand their own race and what might be getting in their way to becoming better people with regards to others who don’t look like themselves.
July 5, 2020
A great read on different stages of race identity with helpful reflective activities to help you understand your own role in racial issues.
January 1, 2021
Excellent power packed booked that is deceptively short-it is meaty and gives the reader plenty to digest and process. Highly recommend.
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December 28, 2022Caused a LOT of drama in book club
October 13, 2024
So interesting and educational for me
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July 15, 2025Wrote a four page book report on this one!
But it is genuinely a great resource.
But it is genuinely a great resource.
May 6, 2013
Want a book that will make you think about who you are and why you do the things you do? Then this one may be for you. This book assists the reader in looking inward and determining where you are on the white identity development model. Although this book is a short read and could use a little more content (there are areas it feels like it just touches on) this book is a must-read for those entering or working in any human services field.
August 5, 2011
One of the most helpful books for white folks who want to understand and develop a positive white identity for self as well as in relation to people of color. A must read for any white person concerned about racial justice and positive race relations. Also, good for people of color who want to better understand the white people in their lives.
December 14, 2014
This is a workbook that requires a lot of reflection. I found it excellent, but it requires a lot of honesty and soul searching. It's hard to step outside and view the way things are objectively. Helms is a good guide.
May 27, 2011
This book really makes you think about white privilege.
April 28, 2014
I definitely have a few people I would reccommend this book to... Interesting read.
August 13, 2016
Disgusting racist POS. Bunch of made up terms. Ugh. What a waste of time.
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July 12, 2016Uhm ...she won something like the "Janet E. Helms Award" or something. Huh?!
October 20, 2016
Everyone should read this.
November 26, 2016
Gave me a lot to think about. Well worth the read.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews