White Like Me: Reflections on Race from a Privileged Son

Half of me loved this book, while the other half of me hated it. I had a love/hate relationship while reading this book. For starters, Tim Wise is a Liberal for sure. Since I’m a Conservative, some of his view points clashed HARD with mine. Still I pushed on and got through the book. He said a lot of things I loved, and he said a lot of things I hated. It was dry at times... Be prepared for a lot of statistics and RANTS! Be ready for profanity as well. However there were some times where Tim really did shine and his knowledge and insight were like a beacon of light in the darkness. The book is not bad by any means. It was very interesting to dive into the liberal mind and try to understand their perspective on things. Overall the book is a solid mix is rants, knowledge, profanity and facts. Be prepared for a journey.

I’ve had this book for two year and just decided to read it. As an African American, reconceptualizing the impact of racism and whiteness as an issue for white people was useful for me. It frames systemic oppression as a problem for everyone and not just for people of color. I appreciate they charges/challenges set forth for how readers can approach this work. I will likely read this again.

I'm a liberal. I read this book because I wanted to start to better understand how to become more antiracist and more aware of my own white privilege. But I found this book hard to get through for several reasons. The part that bothers me the most is his own derision in his descriptions of those he considers (or definitely are) racist. Here's an example:On page 146, location 2068, he writes about David Duke:"Frankly, his high-pitched nasally whine and his slickeddown mop of hair – along with a squirrelly moustache that looked like a ferret perched on his upper lip – had always made him appear as an underfed Aldolf Hitler, which, come to think of it, is probably what he’d been going for."Now, I'm no fan of Duke in any form or fashion. And I understand how strong Wise's feelings are against Duke and all he stands for. But WHY must he describe Duke in such terms? Isn't talking about the actions of such a racist enough? Why must he also belittle the man's looks?This is only one example of many when Wise's descriptions of those he opposes shows his distain in such verbally abusively ways. If you want to make a point about how to be a reasonable person with constructive criticisms and enlightened lessons to teach others, you really ought to start with being an example of civility and respect for others. This kind of bullying description of those people he opposes made me squirm. I nearly put the book down several times because it hit so far below the belt.But I persisted to the end, because I want to learn from someone who has been on the forefront of the antiracist movement for many years.Another reason I gave this book a low rating is for the quality of the writing. His story could have been edited in a way that could be much more engaging. One of the first things you learn as a writer is to "show, don't tell." His examples always felt one-sided and with lots of personal commentary, rather than showing what happened in those lectures and allowing readers to come to our own conclusions. And though he did give examples where he allowed his own privilege to help in in some situations, rarely did he point out his own mistakes where his white privilege tripped him up. He was very quick to point out how others with good intentions trip up.The best chapter in the book was at the end when he described how he is coaching his children to be critical thinkers. He showed how he is leading his kids through the process of learning to be inclusive. I wish more of the book was like that.

I like his parallelism of White Apartheid in South Africa to the events in Louisiana and Racist Policies that the government was supporting in the 1980's and 1990's.As a person of color, I find it so hard, where whites refute the historical issues of our nation and their unwillingness to embrace Anti-Racists Policies. I applaud Tim Side's perspectives. My hope is that whites will take seriously his point of view and be willing to read. A lot of my White friends refuse to be willing to have a person of color to have this vital conversation. A must read for White Evangelicals in America. Open-minded is the key of White America.

I found Tim Wise to be accurate in his descriptions of institutional racism and how it affects every aspect of the lives of Black people. I was impress with the honesty shown by Mr. Wise, a white man speaking to white people about what they know to be true but never took notice of. Mr. Wise's point of view was refreshing and hopeful, now if only white people in general and the ones of them who have the authority and power in particular, would do whatever they could to change the racism that invades Black lives at every level from cradle to grave and all stops in between, we would not still be living in a state of simi-aparthied.

Arrived on time and in good condition. Excellent read. I had the privilege of meeting Mr. Wise at a conference and also enjoyed talking with him . He is very candid and it is my belief this book as well as others written by him, is a good reference point in helping white people become more comfortable talking about race and acknowledging the privileges afforded them based on their race. At lot of work is to be done in the area of race relations in this society and current political climate and it will take white allies to do some hard internal work first who are willing to put themselves on the front lines to help uphold justice for ALL. I find this book as well as his other books as a springboard for this to happen.

The author writes from his personal experience and uses that perspective to make his point. I appreciate his point and drawing our awareness to so many areas where blacks are restricted privileges and opportunities while whites have privilege. This book was instructive for me and hopefully will lead me to change things around me where I can. But I was really tired of Tim's point-of-view self-referencing by halfway through the book! His story, while instructive, was too long, tiring and a little narcissistic. While there was much good content, it was buried in too much story about Tim.

Best book l have read for a long time, should be in all secondary schools and included in history lessons . White like me is not easy cup of tea reading but if you want real honest heart felt truth about racism from the white perspective you won't be disappointed. One hundred percent to Tim Wise for having the courage to write this book. Mrs D.Lomas

Highly recommended

superb, well written, easy to read

Amazing read, real eye opener.

Incredibly insightful and powerful.Highly recommended to all persons - especially white people. This is a great education.