What Does It Mean to Be White in America? Breaking the White Code of Silence, A Collection of Personal Narratives (2LP EXPLORATIONS IN DIVERSITY) (Volume 1)

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE WHITE IN AMERICA? BREAKING THE WHITE CODE OF SILENCE, A COLLECTION OF PERSONAL NARRATIVES, asks just that. The first of its kind, this collection of 82 personal narratives reflects a vibrant range of stories from white Americans who speak frankly and openly about race, not only as it applies to people of color, but as it applies to themselves. The stories cover a wide gamut of American history from contributors around the United States; from reminiscing about segregation and Jim Crow, to today's headlines of police brutality, politics and #BlackLivesMatter. The variety in style and subject matter from people of different class and employment backgrounds have one point in common–they create an absorbing and thought-provoking collection that explores race from a very personal perspective. In the telling, not only do contributors discuss their discomfort in talking about race, they also share big and small moments in their lives that have shaped what it means to be white in America, and how it affects the way they see themselves and others. In answering the question, some may offer viewpoints one may not necessarily agree with, but nevertheless, it is clear that each contributor is committed to answering it as honestly as possible. An invaluable starting point that includes a glossary and a bibliography of suggested reading, WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE WHITE IN AMERICA? is highly recommended for students, teachers and anyone else interested in seeking a deeper and richer understanding of race in America.

Gabrielle David is a multidisciplinary artist, musician, photographer, digital designer, poet, and writer. David is the publisher of 2Leaf Press and serves as chair of the board of 2Leaf Press Inc. David is co-editor of What Does It Mean to be White in America? and Hey Yo! Yo Soy! 40 Years of Nuyorican Street Poetry, editor of Branches of the Tree of Life, and author of two poetry chapbooks.

Sean Frederick Forbes is director of the Creative Writing Program and assistant professor-in-residence in the Department of English at the University of Connecticut, Storrs. He is coeditor of The Beiging of America and What Does it Mean to be White in America? and is the author of the poetry collection, Providencia. He is also the series editor of 2Leaf Press’s 2LP Explorations in Diversity.