Everything Why: “How Digital Paths Shape Racial Perceptions”
Why is it important to address white identity in conversations about racial justice?
In this episode of Everything Why, Mike Martin talks with Christine Saxman, co-author of Being White Today. Saxman shares the motivation behind writing the book, emphasizing the need to reclaim white identity from far-right extremists. She explains how her work, along with co-author Shelley Tochluk, aims to help white people develop a healthy racial identity. The conversation includes discussions about the impact of algorithms on radicalization, the importance of cross-racial solidarity, and practical steps for white individuals to engage in racial justice work.
Mike reflects on his own experiences and reactions to the book’s content, discussing the broader implications of racial justice. The episode highlights the importance of slowing down to build curiosity and emotional resilience. Christine underscores the need for collective efforts and cross-racial relationships in fostering a more inclusive society.
Christine and Shelly join their friend and colleague Ryan Virden of Lir Cultural Consulting to talk about Being White Today.
America Trends Podcast Ep 770 How Can We Work To Live an Antiracist Life
Biases, prejudices and preconceptions are part of living. Sometimes it’s because of the way we were raised, the messages we receive through various sources and the politics of this moment, as the GOP’s presumptive presidential candidate refers to people coming across the border as ‘animals’. In the multi-racial and multi-ethnic society in which we live, which will be majority minority in the foreseeable future, we need everyone working together. Shelly Tochluk and our guest, Christine Saxman, have a combined 45 years of experience facilitating White antiracist dialogues and have put that experience to practical effect in their new book, “Being White Today: A Roadmap for a Positive Antiracist Life.” In it they provide insight into what it looks like to operate from eight different positions in the White racial identity journey and they provide concrete approaches for how to navigate conversations about race with other White people at different points on the racial identity journey.
May 24, 2024 on Leonard Lopate at Large
A dynamic discussion about being White in the current social times and understanding how fear is operating and how Being White Today can offer tools to White people to over come fear and work toward a healthy multiracial future.
May 24, 2024 on Ron Van Dam Show.
Understanding how fear is operating among White people and the reminder that the White nationalists are recruiting our young people.
WGDT
May 23, 2024 on WGDT with Greg Berg – How can we understand the flier “It’s OK to be White….” and work to a healthy multiracial future where White people have a role to play.
White Writer Offers Advice for Having Constructive Talks with Racist Friends, Family – St. Louis Post-Dispatch
From St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Shelly had the opportunity to share her advice on how to talk with family and frience.
Countering the Rise of White Nationalism by Karen Gaffney in Inside Higher Ed
Take a moment to read this important op-ed about the need to pay attention on college campuses which references our work with Western States Center to uplift the Luskin Center’s Scale of Expression to help navigate where our young people are in their relationship to white supremacist ideology.
Learn the Signs of Radicalization and How To Talk to Kids About it
Please take a listen to this Life Kit Podcast Christine participated in.
From the podcast: “It’s a horror to think your kid could be a victim in a violent act of racism, sexism or other radicalization. It’s a whole different kind of fear to think they could be the perpetrator of that act. Here’s how to read the signs of radicalization and how to talk to kids about what they’re reading.”
To Prevent Racist Extremism, Parents Must Engage Teens, Experts Say
Grateful to be interviewed and get the word out to parents and caregivers. Read here.
From the article: “Debating with a young person fact to fact to fact is not going to be the way to go,” said Christine Saxman, a former educator and diversity consultant who co-authored a toolkit for parents on recognizing and preventing radicalization for Western States Center, a nonprofit that provides pro-Democracy resources. “You want to be on that critical thinking journey with them, not fighting them.”
Dr. Angela Ward’s Kitchen Table: White Lady Antiracism
Grateful to be a part of this conversation with this group of antiracists: Dr Angela Ward, Sara Freund, and Christie Nold. Take a listen as we discuss our whiteness, allies, and co-conspirators.
Racial Justice Work with Heart, not a Hammer
Christine Saxman: “As you both know, I have always struggled with being kind of righteous in my anti-racism work as a white person. I name that as whiteness! The competitiveness that comes up in me…. I think about how intentional I have to be, myself, to not allow that righteousness to take over, and to recognise that I was once also early in my journey. There was a time for me, too, when I first realised that racism was really real, not just in an abstract somewhere-else kind of way, but here.” Read more here in Peace News.
Bearing Witness and Taking Action
Christine had the opportunity to bear witness to the powerful call to action from Dr. Stephany Rose Spaulding and respond as a white person on Colorado Public Radio. Read here: “Professor Stephany Rose Spaulding Says that the Capital Violence is What Happens When the Chickens Come Home to Roost.”
Trees shown from below
Eyes on Whiteness surrounded by eyes
Eyes On Whiteness Podcast
Christine had the deep experience of reflecting on the work we need to do with Maureen Benson and Shelly Tochluk on the Eyes on Whiteness Podcast.
From the podcast: “In a follow-up to our election episode where we talked about the need to stay vigilant, we invited Christine and Shelly who have been researching the ways White Nationalist and White Supremacist groups have been building in the last few years.
Christine and Shelly share their research and analysis of the ways we must be aware of and counter the rise of White Nationalism going into 2021. The deep overlap of groups with varying identities finding common ground across anti-government, pro-police, free-speech, anti-immigrant, and “rigged election” ideologies is terrifying and all rooted in Anti-Blackness. This rise of power of these groups is linked through the deep use of technology, propaganda, and organizing in partnership with GOP, Qanon, conservative media, and militias (not entirely excluding law enforcement) across the country.
Shelly and Christine call white people to action, not just politically but in a deeply personal way….they share how these groups are taking advantage of recruiting people who may have a stated belief they are “not racist”, but are feeling uninvited into communities organizing against racism…and how when we shut people out for not being “woke enough” or struggling in their newly developing consciousness, we’re actually helping create people ripe for recruitment by these White Nationalist groups. If you are a parent or educator- our guests break down how susceptible our young people are, particularly online.
This episode is for EVERY white person who has any belief in anti-racism- we have work to do, and it means deepening our engagement with other white folks, practicing mindful listening, loving accountability, and collectivism over individualism. Christine and Shelly offer GREAT tips for how to show up to these necessary conversations when our judgment, righteousness, and demand for someone to be in a different place than they are.”
“How Can White People Accelerate Racial Justice? “
Christine was guest on the Deerfield Public Library podcast working to answer this question: How can white people accerlerate racial justice?”
Coffee with the Founder
Take a listen and please learn more about The Privilege Institute and the White Privilege Conference. The Conference has been a very important learning space and community for me to develop my white racial consciousness and to move into action. Please consider giving to The Privilege Institute if you are able.
Saxman Consulting, LLC 