Overcoming Our Racism: The Journey to Liberation - Hardcover

Sue, Derald Wing

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0787967440 ISBN 13: 9780787967444

Publisher: Jossey-Bass, 2003

Synopsis

This extraordinary book by Derald Wing Sue, a highly-regarded academic and author, helps readers understand and combat racism in themselves. It defines racism not only as extreme acts of hatred, but as "any attitude, action or institutional structure or social policy that subordinates a person or group because of their color." This landmark work offers an antidote to this pervasive social problem.

• Shows how each of us has a role in the oppression of others, and what we can do about it
• Offers a way to overcome racism on a very intimate level
• Outlines specific guidelines and suggested activities

About this title

From the Back Cover:

"'We shall overcome,' but how? Derald Wing Sue points us to a path. He invites readers to engage him in dialogues to confront the master narrative of American history— the story that this country was settled by European immigrants and that Americans are white.Taking us beyond the Black and White binary, he illuminates the experiences of Americans of the twenty-first century's society of expanding ethnic diversity."
—Ronald Takaki, author, A Different Mirror: A History of Multicultural America

"This book is intended to provoke and challenge, and it succeeds admirably. Sometimes it even made me angry, but it always forced me to think about myself and assess the way I behave."
—Arthur Levine, Ph.D., president, Teachers College, Columbia University

"Dr. Sue is mapping a warrior's path with a compassionate heart.This book will take the discussion of racism in our society to a new level in which we can finally begin to address it in a manner that will bring deep changes and not just more rhetoric."
—Eduardo Duran, Ph.D., Apache/Tewa, author, Buddha in Redface

"Most of us have internalized attitudes that affect our actions in negative and unfair ways toward people of color. Sue's book allows us to understand those attitudes as well as the white privilege most White Americans do not realize they possess! All thinking people who wish to increase integrity in their interactions with others should read this book!"
—Melba J. T. Vasquez, Ph.D., ABPP, past president, American Psychological Association's Society for the Psychology of Women

"This singular book provides racially clueless and sometimes well-meaning people with the tools and context to liberate themselves— and the rest of us— from their destructive ways. Though the book centers on racism and whiteness, it also gives an insightful approach to other biased behavior, whether based on gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, or other common markers of prejudice. Most important, this book offers all of us the hope that constructive change is not only possible but within our capacity to achieve."
—Helen Zia, author, Asian American Dreams: The Emergence of An American People

From the Inside Flap:

If you are white and live in America, the odds are— no matter what your economic status or educational background— you are a racist! However painful and embarrassing to admit, we all have innate, long-standing, and instinctive attitudes, stereotypes, and prejudices toward other ethnic and racial groups.

Overcoming Our Racism is an extraordinary book that helps you— no matter what your race or ethnic origin— make an honest appraisal of yourself and your biases and prejudices and guides you on your journey to becoming a person who truly values inclusion, respect, fairness, and the upholding of social justice. Written by Derald Wing Sue— a pioneer and highly regarded leader in the field of multicultural psychology, counseling, and therapy— this much-needed book shows how each of us has had a role in the oppression of others and outlines the steps we need to take to overcome our racism.

Using this book as a guide, you can clearly see your own racism and overcome your prejudices on a very personal level. You can learn to take responsibility for your most intimate attitudes and understand where they came from. Once reaching this point, you can go on to discover the various cultures in the United States by reading and by associating with strong and healthy individuals of color. Then you can experience the reality of their lives, personalize your understanding with guides and advisers, and eventually transform yourself to become an ally, activist, teacher, and student, working toward mutually shared goals in equal-status relationships.

This exceptional and challenging book will inspire you to take this rewarding journey and become less afraid and intimidated by differences, learn to communicate more openly with family, friends, and coworkers, increase your appreciation of people of all colors and cultures in our pluralistic society, and feel a sense of unity and interconnectedness with all humanity.

About this edition

• Publisher: Jossey-Bass
• Publication date: 2003
• ISBN 10: 0787967440
• ISBN 13: 9780787967444
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 297