Good White Racist: Confronting Your Role in Racial Injustice

Connelly, a writer and certified life coach, provides a counterintuitive examination of the idea of white privilege, and an attempt to come to terms with this concept. She maintains that white people, regardless of gender, have certain benefits and privileges in society. Though life might not be easy, a person’s skin color can further present obstacles to success or provide certain advantages. The idea of being a “good white racist” provides a paradox and opens up the possibility that we may have something deep within us that needs to be examined and “called to task.” There is an assumption that to be a racist, one has to be hateful and willfully discriminatory. There are parameters of privilege that she elaborates on that are unconsciously incorporated into society, including education and economic opportunity. Connelly provides a case that the mere participation in this society without deep reflection and criticism is one method of perpetuating “good white racist” ideology. She combines scholarly research with her own life experiences. Each chapter provides action items for further exploration, reflection, and learning.