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Being White: Finding Our Place in a Multiethnic World
What does it mean to be white? When you encounter people from other races or ethnicities, you may become suddenly aware that being white means something. Those from other backgrounds may respond to you differently or suspiciously. You may feel ambivalence about your identity as a white person. Or you may feel frustrated when a friend of another ethnicity shakes his head and says, "You just don't get it because you're white."
So, what does it mean to be white?
How can you overcome the mistakes of the past?
How can you build authentic relationships with people from other races and ethnicities?
In this groundbreaking book, Paula Harris and Doug Schaupp present a Christian model of what it means to be white. They wrestle through the history of how those in the majority have oppressed minority cultures, but they also show that whites also have a cultural and ethnic identity with its own distinctive traits and contributions. They demonstrate that white people have a key role to play in the work of racial reconciliation and the forging of a more just society. Filled with real-life stories, life-transforming insights and practical guidance, this book is for you if you are aware of racial inequality but have wondered, So what do I do? Discover here a vision for just communities where whites can partner with and empower those of other ethnicities.
So, what does it mean to be white?
How can you overcome the mistakes of the past?
How can you build authentic relationships with people from other races and ethnicities?
In this groundbreaking book, Paula Harris and Doug Schaupp present a Christian model of what it means to be white. They wrestle through the history of how those in the majority have oppressed minority cultures, but they also show that whites also have a cultural and ethnic identity with its own distinctive traits and contributions. They demonstrate that white people have a key role to play in the work of racial reconciliation and the forging of a more just society. Filled with real-life stories, life-transforming insights and practical guidance, this book is for you if you are aware of racial inequality but have wondered, So what do I do? Discover here a vision for just communities where whites can partner with and empower those of other ethnicities.
192 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2004
29 people are currently reading
328 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
March 28, 2014
"We white people have had the luxury of not having to ask these probing questions unless we want to."
This statement summarizes for me what I most got out of this book. The book brought me to a new awareness of how non-white people can feel in this white dominant culture. I would recommend this book to any white person, especially if he or she ever questions what their whiteness means for their personal identity. I would recommend it not because it will answer all of those questions, but because it will help us think more deeply as we seek to answer those questions.
A couple things I didn't love about this book:
-I felt Scripture was used out of context in a few places in order to support a point the authors were trying to make. It seems like they interpreted the Scripture through the lens of racial relations instead of applying only passages that were clearly relevant.
-In some places I felt that they advocated mandates for whites without necessarily supporting the reasoning for them. For example, they advocate that it is the responsibility of every white person to put themselves in a position of displacement into a community where he or she is the minority. While I felt that their personal stories about displacement were powerful, I am not convinced that it should be a requirement for every white person.
Overall, I felt that this book was challenging to me personally and gave me much food for thought and humble reflection. Although I'd recommend taking it with a grain of salt, don't let that prevent you from also reading with an open mind and heart.
This statement summarizes for me what I most got out of this book. The book brought me to a new awareness of how non-white people can feel in this white dominant culture. I would recommend this book to any white person, especially if he or she ever questions what their whiteness means for their personal identity. I would recommend it not because it will answer all of those questions, but because it will help us think more deeply as we seek to answer those questions.
A couple things I didn't love about this book:
-I felt Scripture was used out of context in a few places in order to support a point the authors were trying to make. It seems like they interpreted the Scripture through the lens of racial relations instead of applying only passages that were clearly relevant.
-In some places I felt that they advocated mandates for whites without necessarily supporting the reasoning for them. For example, they advocate that it is the responsibility of every white person to put themselves in a position of displacement into a community where he or she is the minority. While I felt that their personal stories about displacement were powerful, I am not convinced that it should be a requirement for every white person.
Overall, I felt that this book was challenging to me personally and gave me much food for thought and humble reflection. Although I'd recommend taking it with a grain of salt, don't let that prevent you from also reading with an open mind and heart.
February 19, 2019
The book admitted it at the beginning, but it is a very surface level look at antiracism work. It was what you’d expect for a book on antiracism from two white Christian people talking to white Christian people. They took great care to litter everything with non offensive language and bible verses. Addressing racism and it’s history took less than 2 chapters and the rest was focused on white discomfort around race. Perhaps it would be a good introduction to white evangelicals with no cross cultural or interracial experience except being spooked by someone ethnically different at a bus stop (yes that is a story told in the book), but I found it lacking in anything of depth, meaning, or helpfulness in either antiracism work or in developing a helpful concept of whiteness.
June 26, 2017
The authors of being white do an excellent job at balancing the reality of our role in the racially stratified system and our call to action as believers while preaching the gospel of grace. This book is such a great challenge to the church and its followers to step outside of our cultural comfort zones and love and engage with people of all cultures in deep and meaningful relationship and advocacy for our ethnic brothers and sisters. What I also admired about this book was their reliance on the Word in arguing for a multicultural church that stands against racism and prejudice referencing both Old and New Testament passages.
June 23, 2010
The authors have brought up a lot of questions for me: is displacement truly a Christian virtue as they assert? Am I responsible to repent of generational sin? I would have appreciated more exposition and the Scripture the authors used to support their claims were stretched a bit. No doubt race is an important topic for any white Christian to think about, but it could have been done a bit better if we were challenged directly from the Bible rather than the authors' experiences. Also, there was nary a mention of the Gospel. Reconciliation is all well and good, but without it being grounded in the Cross, it is all for naught.
February 23, 2012
Good, but not entirely what I was expecting. It was more of a racial reconciliation book for white people than it is about white culture. In fact, there's only one chapter about white culture. Still good, just personally I would have preferred reading more about white culture in general.
September 20, 2017
Hearing the authors' experiences in understanding their ethnicity and racism, the steps they took, and the mistakes they learned from along the way was interesting and helpful. The back and forth between 2 authors and the structure of the book made it difficult to read at times and felt disjointed.
September 15, 2017
The church needs books to help us deal with the racial tensions resulting from historical abuses, and to help us repent of the racism of our own hearts. Unfortunately, this is not that book.
The only part I found especially helpful was part 4 (five chapters long). This section recaps America's historical abuses of minorities by whites and how those abuses continue to impact nonwhites, sums up the positive traits found in white culture, challenges white people to truly invite the Lord to search our hearts and show us our own racial sin--and then clearly distinguishes personal guilt for this racial sin (of which one can repent from and be cleansed) from generalized "white guilt", a notion which is neither biblical nor useful.
I wish these themes had been developed more; instead, much of the rest of the book seems to contradict and confuse these issues; a general sense of white guilt actually permeates the entire thing.
The use of scripture throughout is troubling:
*Nehemiah is used as an example of how we should deal with generational sin-with no mention of Israel's covenant with God and how that differs from our new covenant responsibilities or realities.
*Acts becomes one big racial reconciliation story and is used to command today's white Christians to seek out displacement in a nonwhite community (?!).
*The gospel is hardly mentioned, which is strange since Christ's death on our behalf, and our new identity as children of God and brothers and sisters of one another, is the single most powerful way to eliminate racism among believers--this book's target audience.
*We are called to vicarious prayers of repentance for the sins of others, with zero biblical guidance or grounding for such a thing (the only place I find such a thing is in the Pharisees, ahem).
*Contemplative prayer is advocated, again with no explanation or scriptural authority.
I am glad I read this book, because it did bring up a few helpful distinctions. But until and unless the call to racial reconciliation is firmly grounded in Scripture, it will be of limited impact and use to the church at large.
The only part I found especially helpful was part 4 (five chapters long). This section recaps America's historical abuses of minorities by whites and how those abuses continue to impact nonwhites, sums up the positive traits found in white culture, challenges white people to truly invite the Lord to search our hearts and show us our own racial sin--and then clearly distinguishes personal guilt for this racial sin (of which one can repent from and be cleansed) from generalized "white guilt", a notion which is neither biblical nor useful.
I wish these themes had been developed more; instead, much of the rest of the book seems to contradict and confuse these issues; a general sense of white guilt actually permeates the entire thing.
The use of scripture throughout is troubling:
*Nehemiah is used as an example of how we should deal with generational sin-with no mention of Israel's covenant with God and how that differs from our new covenant responsibilities or realities.
*Acts becomes one big racial reconciliation story and is used to command today's white Christians to seek out displacement in a nonwhite community (?!).
*The gospel is hardly mentioned, which is strange since Christ's death on our behalf, and our new identity as children of God and brothers and sisters of one another, is the single most powerful way to eliminate racism among believers--this book's target audience.
*We are called to vicarious prayers of repentance for the sins of others, with zero biblical guidance or grounding for such a thing (the only place I find such a thing is in the Pharisees, ahem).
*Contemplative prayer is advocated, again with no explanation or scriptural authority.
I am glad I read this book, because it did bring up a few helpful distinctions. But until and unless the call to racial reconciliation is firmly grounded in Scripture, it will be of limited impact and use to the church at large.
May 7, 2020
I was recommended this book because I had a lot of questions about my role as a white Christian in a lot of the conversations going on in our world today. I approached this book with fear and cynicism and openness and general uncertainty all wrapped together. Here are some of my takeaways from this book:
• as Christians, we are called by God unto intentional relationships. This means communicating not just in the way we grew up communicating, but in the way the other person communicates. Whether that is in their language or in their culture. We have to actively pursue that communication, and it will be hard.
• Jesus challenges us to step into uncomfortable situations where we are the minority. That is one place where we grow in learning about His kingdom. But we have to take an active step.
• racism exists. White privilege exists. I have the choice to use my privilege to stay comfortable or to help other people.
• white culture has beautiful things too. Like valuing hard work and the message that we can be anything we want to be.
• we love people from other ethnicities not just by making friends with them, but communicating with them, learning about the things they care about, and doing what we can to help when they are experiencing injustice.
This book challenges action and caring. While this book isn’t perfect, it’s a worthwhile read.
• as Christians, we are called by God unto intentional relationships. This means communicating not just in the way we grew up communicating, but in the way the other person communicates. Whether that is in their language or in their culture. We have to actively pursue that communication, and it will be hard.
• Jesus challenges us to step into uncomfortable situations where we are the minority. That is one place where we grow in learning about His kingdom. But we have to take an active step.
• racism exists. White privilege exists. I have the choice to use my privilege to stay comfortable or to help other people.
• white culture has beautiful things too. Like valuing hard work and the message that we can be anything we want to be.
• we love people from other ethnicities not just by making friends with them, but communicating with them, learning about the things they care about, and doing what we can to help when they are experiencing injustice.
This book challenges action and caring. While this book isn’t perfect, it’s a worthwhile read.
July 4, 2017
"Being White" was a powerful and direct challenge. If racial justice and identity is something you are excited and convicted about, it is definitely a book for you to read, though I would suggest other books for you to read first. I would encourage you to first read books like "United" by Trillia Newbell or "Letters To a Birmingham Jail" by Bryan Loritts to help you discover a passion and a vision for racial reconciliation. I believe it is only with that desire more solidified in your heart will the challenges put forth in this book have a foothold to grow into. I'm thankful for a view that holds both the beauty and the generational/systematic sins of being white in tension. I'm thankful for the way this book both raised questions in my heart and mind about how I view my own life and the lives of POC, and thankful that it gave words to a lot of shortcomings I feel and sinful traps I fall into. If you've read this book, or read it soon, I'd love to have a conversation with you about it so we can grow and understand more.
April 13, 2019
When I started reading this book, I realized this book is for newbies on race and Christianity. As I continued to read; however, I realized I was wrong. It took me to about the 10th chapter to realize I can still benefit from this. I am reading this with a group of college Christians and the conversations we have are a little redundant as most of us are on the same level of understanding, however, there still are some gems of insight. I would highly recommend this book for those who are new to the intersectionality of race and Christianity (and even gender), but I would also recommend it to those like myself who feel they are pretty "woke". This book will be a bit fast for those in the first camp so take your time applying the concepts and challenges if need be and seek a mentor if possible. Overall, I really enjoy the book and the fact that a bunch of white Christians are getting together to talk about race, privilege, cultural appropriation, intersectionality, and more!
July 1, 2021
This was pretty good. I liked that it specifically addressed issues that white people need to deal with in race relations and how we can be caring for ethnic minorities and building trust, despite all that has happened in our history. It gave some real historical examples that, as a white person, I hadn’t heard/thought about in how it would have impacted minorities, and also how whites can use their power to lift up the cause of those who are oppressed still.
I wish it had given more suggestions on HOW to jump into relationships, as it seemed to talk a little more about what to do once you had them/fostering them. Besides talking about joining their ethnic minority churches or having bi-racial kids I would have liked to see other ways to integrate and put myself in more non-white situations.
I wish it had given more suggestions on HOW to jump into relationships, as it seemed to talk a little more about what to do once you had them/fostering them. Besides talking about joining their ethnic minority churches or having bi-racial kids I would have liked to see other ways to integrate and put myself in more non-white situations.
June 8, 2017
This was a primer for engaging Anglo ethnicity in light of a diversifying society. If you already agree that with the author's premise that most Anglos aren't in touch with their ethnic identity and that systemic racism is a present evil you will enjoy this little book. The section on how whites bare the image of God, and what strengths they bring to the multi-cultural table is by far the strongest part of the book. That section alone is worth your time. Overall this is a quality book. Not amazing but helpful.
November 25, 2018
While Harris and Schaupp had some good things to say, I felt that this book was generally too disorganized to render any helpful conclusions. Alternating chapter authorship was a very bad idea--it makes the whole thing read like a series of essays, without any theoretical linking between one chapter and the next. The authors alternate between decrying white guilt and encouraging it, affirming threatened white identity (seriously WHAT?) and encouraging white people to broaden their perspectives.
I have no idea who the intended audience for this book was supposed to be. If it was for white people who had previously ignored the problem of racism, it contains no detailed argument that would change their mind. If it was for white people who already care about racism, it coddles them by spending so much time caressing their poor, damaged white identities and contains no concrete steps to move forward.
I have no idea who the intended audience for this book was supposed to be. If it was for white people who had previously ignored the problem of racism, it contains no detailed argument that would change their mind. If it was for white people who already care about racism, it coddles them by spending so much time caressing their poor, damaged white identities and contains no concrete steps to move forward.
August 3, 2018
Working with a local ministry, I am dealing with the topic of racial reconciliation. In the group of volunteers I am the only white Caucasian. This book has helped me. I have had the opportunity to live and work in some diverse communities. This book helped articulate the views from both perspectives. Whites often ask: “I missed the part where that is my problem.” Instead, I need to respond to injustice within the circle of influence that I live in.
August 2, 2017
biblical views of race and ethnic identity, racial reconciliation and generational sin.
March 10, 2017
less helpful than other books I’ve read on racial reconciliation in America. Still worth reading just to hear different viewpoints and continue to process Being White.
March 19, 2018
This book is more of an introduction to the topic of the function of race in church culture. I would have liked it to have gone a bit deeper, however I think the average white person would find many of the chapters to be challenging and thought provoking. A good starting point.
December 5, 2010
I would recommend this book to white people who have at least one of the following characteristics:
- care about racial reconciliation
- work/live in a place where they are the "minority" (whether intentionally or not)
- are interested to know what the Bible says about topics relating to race, power, and crossing cultures
I fit all three categories, so I found this book relevant and helpful. But, while I think issues of race and reconciliation should be important to everyone, I'm not sure all white people would appreciate the book: a lot of white people simply don't "notice" racial issues or think that race "doesn't apply to them" and so probably wouldn't be able to take this book seriously. It's certainly easier, as a white person in most parts of the world, to remain ignorant and apathetic about the subject--or to stay at a superficial level of understanding or action.
As far as the religious bent of this book: folks who aren't particularly interested in its Judeo-Christian aspects may still find the content thought-provoking and useful, but possibly to a lesser extent. I think that nearly all the nonfiction books I've read about cross-cultural living and racial reconciliation are from this perspective--I suppose because Christianity is essentially a religion of God taking a giant "cross-cultural" step and deferring his power in order to bring reconciliation (between God/people and people/people).
- care about racial reconciliation
- work/live in a place where they are the "minority" (whether intentionally or not)
- are interested to know what the Bible says about topics relating to race, power, and crossing cultures
I fit all three categories, so I found this book relevant and helpful. But, while I think issues of race and reconciliation should be important to everyone, I'm not sure all white people would appreciate the book: a lot of white people simply don't "notice" racial issues or think that race "doesn't apply to them" and so probably wouldn't be able to take this book seriously. It's certainly easier, as a white person in most parts of the world, to remain ignorant and apathetic about the subject--or to stay at a superficial level of understanding or action.
As far as the religious bent of this book: folks who aren't particularly interested in its Judeo-Christian aspects may still find the content thought-provoking and useful, but possibly to a lesser extent. I think that nearly all the nonfiction books I've read about cross-cultural living and racial reconciliation are from this perspective--I suppose because Christianity is essentially a religion of God taking a giant "cross-cultural" step and deferring his power in order to bring reconciliation (between God/people and people/people).
June 23, 2013
Although the authors openly stated that whites aren't to feel guilty about being white, they way the wrote and how they presented the topic gave off a contradicting vibe that tried to make me feel guilty for being white. Also, they advocate for looking at the world through 3D glasses, but really they are looking at the world through a lens--a magnifying glass--of race. My experience in displacement while living abroad shows that real human life is infinitely more complex than their presentation in the book. There are trillions of lenses through which we can see the world (environmentalism, grief and loss, pursuing personal talents/goals/passions, the relationship with our spouse--name a random few). The authors have pointed out that for white people race is a lens that is far too neglected, but it seems that the authors have gone to the other end of the spectrum and only see the world through this perspective.
November 27, 2007
Being White started out as a two-star book for me, but picked up 1/3 of the way through, thanks to Doug and Paula's compelling personal stories. Although parts of the book are geared solely towards white people, I found most of it helpful (as a non-white person) reading as someone who doesn't have a lot of experience with displacement. Being White made racial reconciliation not just accessible, but one can perceive it as an urgent need of the body of Christ.
June 21, 2007
(this book is currently on loan to a friend)
This book was an interesting read. The two authors give an honest account of their struggles with race relations. It was interesting to see their perspectives. I don't know that I agree with everything that was said, but I think this book is an excellent starting point for racial dialogue.
This book was an interesting read. The two authors give an honest account of their struggles with race relations. It was interesting to see their perspectives. I don't know that I agree with everything that was said, but I think this book is an excellent starting point for racial dialogue.
April 11, 2008
I read this book in my third year of being a part of a minority community, and I found that it put to words what I was unable to express. I found it sensitive and compelling--I didn't agree with every perspective of the author presented, but I enjoyed engaging the ideas in the book. The best part was discussions that followed this book with my Chinese best friend and a black fraternity brother.
July 24, 2008
I felt there was something that didn't gel with my experience in this book...it was hard to pin down, but it was similar to the feeling I had in Doug's workshop at the '02 white conference - at odds with the '01 conference, which I really really liked. I read it a little fast, so it's hard to articulate well what I thought was missing.
April 23, 2007
We live in a world of power and privilege and as white Christians we are called to use them as He would. This book challenges us to cross-cultural relationships and looking deeper at the scary word "race".
April 18, 2013
This is a good book for someone to read who is desiring to understand their white identity and grow in their understanding of multi-ethnicity. This book gave words to much of what I had already been learning on my multi-ethnic journey and gave me great steps to move forward.
March 9, 2015
"Being White" is a must-read for white American Christians if we hope to be a meaningful part of the race conversation. Check out the rest of my review on my blog!
September 15, 2007
it met me on the ethnic journey i have been on and has kept me company ever since.
October 21, 2007
i may not be white but this book was highly useful in understanding white culture.
May 8, 2009
An interesting perspective on white privilege and striving to connect with people of other cultures and ethnicities. I found it personally valuable and thought-provoking.
May 17, 2016
Loved. I will be thinking about the stuff in here for a long time in a good way. Everyone in ministry should read it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews