White Like Me

By: Tim Wise

Narrated by: Tim Wise

Length: 11 hrs and 5 mins

Publisher's Summary

With a new preface and updated chapters, White Like Me is one-part memoir, one-part polemical essay collection. It is a personal examination of the way in which racial privilege shapes the daily lives of white Americans in every realm: employment, education, housing, criminal justice, and elsewhere.

Using stories from his own life, Tim Wise demonstrates the ways in which racism not only burdens people of color, but also benefits, in relative terms, those who are "white like him". He discusses how racial privilege can harm whites in the long run and make progressive social change less likely. He explores the ways in which whites can challenge their unjust privileges, and explains in clear and convincing language why it is in the best interest of whites themselves to do so. Using anecdotes instead of stale statistics, Wise weaves a narrative that is at once listenable and yet scholarly, analytical and yet accessible.

©2011 Soft Skull Press (P)2015 Audiobooks.com Publishing

AMAZING!

Thought provoking and inspiring! Youll he challenged to see yourself in a new way. Do yourself a favor and read it!

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Masterpiece

The most important writing I have ever read or listened to. The struggle should continue and I also choose hope...

7 of 8 people found this review helpful

Great writing made even better as an audible book

Time Wise's writing is excellent and it's only improved with his narrative of this audible book. His story is relevant and interesting and accessible to readers and listeners. While the topic is sometimes intimidating, Tim's prose and perspective makes it a pleasure to read.

8 of 10 people found this review helpful

I can breathe better

Most important book I have read besides Malcolm X and MLK. It provided a solid stance against racism from a white privilege side. Being a black man, this work of Wise it more dynamic and density

8 of 11 people found this review helpful

An Important and Needed Perspective with Beneficial insights.

I found And have found Tim Wise's presence and forthrightness in this new era of race to be profoundly important. In "White Like Me" he so clearly helps us navigate his world view and his life through a lens of clarity that we see him as a young boy struggle to understand the world. All this through the great lens of America systemic racism and global white supremacy. Even his chapter on his battles while in Hebrew school with Judaism and the Jewish Working class are riveting. His summation of Jews in America, in his view, are a tiny bit less privileged white people was funny and simultaneously made me stiffen at the truth. This is how Mr. Wise guides us through a succinct sometime overly succinct journey through his life towards his attaining prominence as one of a few white men who are sought after to help us understand, teach, repair and breathe hope into a problem that seeps into every American life whether we wish it to or not. Challenging read (listen) but I'm better for it. Btw. I'm black and gay.

7 of 10 people found this review helpful

Riveting Perspective

I was not expecting this to be so thoroughly autobiographical, but the updated chronological approach is wonderfully coherent and touches many appropriate themes. Wise eloquently walks through a host of issues as seen in daily life, without cushioning the plight of many white Americans. He never guilt trips anyone, and even offers excellent ways to avoid such inevitable accusations that conversations on white privilege "rely on white guilt."
A must read.

7 of 10 people found this review helpful

One of the most important books I've read.

This book was life-changing. It was entertaining. It was emotional, challenging, and even fun from time-to-time. So worth the buy. You need to read/listen to it ASAP.

3 of 4 people found this review helpful

Important Listen

White Like Me is a memoir of sorts where Tim Wise shares his experiences of growing up white while also explaining how racism is deeply rooted in our society. If you haven't read much on white privilege, this is a great place to start.

2 of 3 people found this review helpful

must listen

we recently had a guest Minister lead a workshop in my church and we were talking about race and the role of the church . he is an African American Minister holding a doctorate, and he recommended that I read this book for my own self education. Wow some of this I knew and understood and internalized. some information I had not heard. in particularl the facts about the devastation and results of truly racist views on the people of color in New Orleans. Some things don't make it into the media and therefore we are ignorant. Some things we don't want to admit are true, and therefore we are culpable. But for the most part I walk away from this book Feeling that we white people need to grieve the generations of violence and oppression waged against people of color. because we haven't grieved, we white people haven't been able to truly face our historical role or our place of privilege as a result of that oppression. that's why I think we are often in denial. I will send this book to my 21 year old blue eyed blonde haired daughter and continue to do my part to educate and create change.

A "woke" white southern male w/insight & wisdom!

I've long admired Tim Wise & this book deepened my admiration. He's frank yet compassionate. I learned about his life & evolving racial awareness & in the process, learned a bit about myself. He details the more subtle or oblique racism any fellow southerner will recognize, although it may be somewhat uncomfortable.

If we're to make progress in race relations & true equality, honesty must be prioritized. Is introspection painful? It certainly can be. Are conversations about race often fraught & uncomfortable? Possibly, particularly if you've been raised to avoid such topics. However, surely we can all agree that discomfort pales in comparison to being treated & talked to like a second or third class citizen in your own country.

We each have the capacity for growth, understanding, empathy, & metamorphosis. Tim Wise isn't a saint but he's inspiring nonetheless, partly *because* he's an ordinary guy trying to be a better neighbor, a more informed student of our shared American Experience, & a better human being.