A first of its kind, accessible, in-depth resource for leading effective white racial affinity groups—an essential tool in anti-racism for building the skills and perspectives needed to challenge racism.

Product Code: 3164
ISBN: 9780807003565
Format: Paperback / softback
Publisher: Beacon Press
Pages: 208
Published Date: 08/09/2022
Availability:In stock
N/A
Price: $22.00

While there are a few short articles and guides addressing the challenges and complexities of leading white affinity groups, there has never been a detailed handbook exclusively focused on the skills and perspectives necessary for white racial affinity group facilitators. There are many challenges in facilitating these groups including the need to have a deep theoretical understanding of racism and how it impacts your specific group; a high degree of racial self-awareness; sustained work addressing the impact of racism in one’s own life; sensitivity to and the ability to work with the range of skills and degrees of awareness participants bring; and strong facilitation and conflict resolution skills.

The Facilitator’s Guide for White Affinity Groups is the first in-depth guide for anyone leading these groups in academic courses, facilitator training, mediation training, workplace diversity programs, antiracism workshops, faith communities, and racial and social justice groups. Dr. Robin DiAngelo and Amy Burtaine, who collectively bring over 20 years of experience leading anti-racist education and racial affinity groups present:


    a theoretical framework for understanding racism;
    a case for the value of racial affinity groups as a tool for challenging racism;
    a guide to assessing group readiness for affinity groups and evaluating progress;
    both a “universal” set of guidelines and guidelines for specific groups in various contexts (i.e. workplace or community settings);
    what to look for in strong affinity group facilitators;
    scenarios to illustrate common challenges;
    a glossary of definitions;
    exercises, discussion prompts, and assessment tools.


Written accessibly for a wide range of readers and backgrounds, The Facilitator’s Guide for White Affinity Groups will be an important reference for anyone committed to anti-racism work.


Bookmark and Share

“DiAngelo and Burtaine expertly lay out how to create and sustain an effective white affinity group. Backed by years of experience, they adroitly work their way through the briar patch of white racial patterns that limit progress in anti-racism work. A first of its kind, this invaluable and much-needed resource will deepen the work of white affinity spaces and, by extension, increase the number of white people who are aware of the role of race in their lives, can trace the impact of racist policies of the past into the present, and have the tools to take transformative action. Knowing this guide is in facilitators’ hands gives me great hope.” —Jacqueline Battalora, author of Birth of a White Nation

“A must-read for facilitators of white accountability groups! Honest and truth-telling, this essential guide raises key questions and provides crucial insights to address common pitfalls and challenges when leading these critical conversations. I wish I had a handbook when I started facilitating white accountability groups; now it’s here!” —Kathy Obear, EdD, president, Center for Transformation and Change

“Some of my most powerful learning has been in White anti-racist groups like the ones described here—making mistakes together, asking stupid questions, and supporting each other on the challenging journey of addressing racism. I loved the clarity, suggested activities, and manual-like style of this guide for facilitating these groups, which will be incredibly useful and returned to again and again. May this book help you build loving and accountable relationships with other White people and cultivate courage, take action, and keep moving on your anti-racist path.” —Ali Michael, PhD, coauthor of Our Problem, Our Path: Collective Anti-Racism for White People

“Robin DiAngelo and Amy Burtaine have provided wise and practical shapes for effective midwifery of anti-racist consciousness in collective context. This work is an invitation to build relational capacity toward durable social action by those who recognize that white supremacy differentially dehumanizes those it moves through and those it marginalizes. There is a compelling case made that anti-racism is inherently transformative to those who practice it while releasing a grip on perfectionist evasion or a quest for comfort. Instead, this facilitator's guide brings conviction that responsiveness and mutuality are true companions of accountability.” —Leticia Nieto, coauthor of Beyond Inclusion, Beyond Empowerment

Be the first to submit a review on this product!
Review and Rate this Item

You might also be interested in: