Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness Discussion Paper

Channing Brown, Austin. I’m Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness. New York: Convergent Books, 2018. ISBN: 978-1524760854.

After reading Austin Channing Brown’s book, students will submit a one-page, single-spaced response to the reading by the due date in course schedule. The paper will contain a brief one-paragraph discussion of the main ideas in the book, one paragraph communicating the student’s personal response to the book—either positive or negative—and one-two paragraphs containing any take-aways that will inform the student’s ministry of reconciliation moving forward. Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness Discussion Paper

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Response To Austin Channing Brown’s Book

The Main Ideas

Austin Channing Brown states in the opening line of her book, “White people can be exhausting.” Potential friends who are White must educate themselves extensively on Black history, the background of racism, and the issues surrounding systemic racism. Considerably, a range of Black perspectives on these issues must be heard. This book’s central thesis—that being Black in “a world made for whiteness” is like walking with ankle weights—is well supported by concrete examples. There are White speech patterns, White social norms, White expressive boundaries, White cuisine, and even White affection for cats that are not inherently good or bad but rather things that White people take for granted and to which Black people living in a White environment must adjust. I do not concur with Black or White homogeneity, and neither does Brown; however, it is interesting to hear about her insights on “typical” encounters. Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness Discussion Paper

Personal Response

When it came to writing about Black people in predominantly White professional settings, or even just Black people in general, I thought Brown’s writing was especially insightful. Perhaps the hiring of the Black individual was done with the intention of diversifying the business or organization. It may be expected of them to speak for the Black voice and to clarify Black viewpoints on various problems. Or they can be expected to act completely indifferently and act White, failing to advocate for social justice causes or anything else, all the while allowing the organization to appear diverse due to their skin tone. However, white individuals almost never have to defend their choices, explain why they are white, or behave like what they do represents the White community. Individuality is allowed for them. Brown continues by pointing out that when a Black professional speaks out on racial issues, the onus is frequently placed back on her to diffuse the situation, show more tolerance or understanding, or just be a better team player. Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness Discussion Paper

Take-aways to Inform the Ministry of Reconciliation

Reading through Brown’s book, I learned that in an upside-down society where the powerful have ceded their authority to the edges, reconciliation is the pursuit of the impossibly difficult. It’s a complete reinvention of how people are meant to be with each other. It takes creativity to reconcile. It means focusing on what might be instead of just what is. Moreover, I found out that one of Jesus’ ministries is reconciliation. Jesus stepped out of heaven’s comfort and into the human body, experiencing both the beauty and cruelty of life. Herein lies the reason why reconciliation has the power to change not only our hearts and churches but, eventually, the entire world. Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness Discussion Paper

To have success in this ministry, we have to think in line with what is advocated by the author. However, if we are not careful, it is quite possible—and even tempting—to fall more in love with the concept of reconciliation than with the difficult, unpleasant, and messy daily labor of reconciliation. Is our love for the concept of following Jesus greater than our real love for following Jesus—including during some challenging times? This is the crucial question we need to consider.

Conclusion

For authoring such an engaging novel, Austin Channing Brown has my gratitude. It is a quick read but one that is jam-packed with insightful perspective, contemplation, and experience. You may contribute to improving the world by reading it and using the lessons you learn. Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness Discussion Paper