Me and White Supremacy by Layla F Saad

Author: Layla F Saad. Review by Fred Ashmore

For many Friends, the violent death in Minneapolis of George Floyd has felt impossible to discount or ignore. But like others I have been uncertain about what would be an appropriate response. ‘Black Lives Matter’ has not leapt to the top of our Society’s national agenda, though we have worked with other churches. More learning about racism and informed self analysis seem to me vital factors in progress for an individual Quaker, and one of those appropriate responses. In June, I came across this book, which drew me in as a possible way to make progress.

Me and White Supremacy is unusual – decidedly unusual. It is not a traditional narrative or textbook, rather a workbook for those who want to understand their own role in ‘white supremacy’. That phrase has not been universally accepted by Quakers, though there does now seem to be more willingness to recognise the privilege in our Society. There is plenty of information on the subject here, presented in a way that explores the concept for our comfort and discomfort.

The workbook offers twenty-eight days’ worth of material, each day taking one aspect of white supremacy, inviting the reader to create journaling responses to each topic. You can do it alone, and redo it again and again if you wish. Layla F Saad herself commends the idea of a book circle in which those using the book can enhance their learning and take care of themselves and their companions.

I was fortunate in finding two companions willing to try it with me. All of us were experienced in Quaker ways, and in mutual support. We have needed those skills. The work is uncomfortable and challenging, and for me it has already revealed cowardice in seeking new learning and an unhealthy willingness to relax into the status quo.

On 23 August our group examined day four, ‘White Silence’. White silence is when people with white privilege stay complicitly silent when it comes to issues of race and white supremacy. This session was as uncomfortable as the previous ones, and it certainly drew attention to our ability to avoid situations in which we would have to act.

The following day I saw the video clips of Jacob Blake being shot repeatedly in the back by a police officer in Kenosha, Wisconsin. It seemed to demand a response. What would make sense, though? What could be helpful? Is it any of our business on the other side of the Atlantic? I talked to a wise black friend about my puzzlement, and she was perfectly clear. Of course it’s our business. It’s the business of anyone who cares about truth and justice. This Friend didn’t go as far as telling me how to avoid complicit silence. But I am not going to demand that other British Friends respond in some specific way. That’s for them to decide and discern.

So, Friends, this is what I have done: I avoid silence by writing about a book that might help you in learning about racial injustice. Just possibly, someone who is more directly affected might see this piece and see that the assault has not been ignored!

---

Comments

I have a backlog of Friends to read and only just seen this.  I too have been working through White Supremacy.. for me via Zoom with colleagues in a multi-racial college.  We whites are learning that we were far too sanguine about the cohesion we thought existed.  I too acknowledge my cowardice at speaking up.  Day to day I come across few people who are Black, Indigenous or People of Colour (BIPOC).  My work (approx 20%FT) is done remotely and the population where I spend time is nearly all white.  However, I am educating myself by reading/watching/taking part in webinars and now thinking what I can do.  Another book is Biased by Jennifer Ebhardt which I will be reading over the next month.  Interested to learn what other Quakers are doing

By ebreeze on 29th October 2020 - 10:49

---

Please login to add a comment