Understanding and Combating Racism - (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

Educated but untaught, involved but unknowing, Catholic but spiritually reserved, white but unwittingly blinded by the ubiquitous whiteness surrounding him. These are some of the many storylines W.E. 'Bill' Wynne explores in this relevant account of his social and racial justice advocacy journey and conversion over the course of his life. Despite these looming shadows, other hurdles hovering over his middle-class upbringing, and other missed signals accessible as a businessman and active community contributor, Wynne slowly but surely attains life-changing insight and finds his voice in becoming an authentic justice advocate with others.

Wynne's self-discovery of the many evils associated with the racial injustice permeating our society, institutions, and our hearts is captivating, experiential, and illuminated by his innate ability to build diverse relationships that result in many enduring friendships. The serendipitous and fascinating nature of the varied human networks that mysteriously and organically interconnect and multiply through the decades of Wynne's life is essential to his anti-racism work and activism today.

This intrepid tale of his sixty-year-plus pilgrimage from unknowingness to continuing enlightenment provides anyone, irrespective of religion, color, ethnicity, age, or gender, extremely helpful guidance in overcoming frozenness, reticence, and fear of social and racial justice engagement.

Review Quotes

"The book takes direct aim at racism and strategies that we might adopt to help end it. Wynne avoids hurling blame, yet directly assesses responsibilities, including his own. This book should be in the toolbox of those of us learning about the roles we play in racist behavior if we are white. It also provides critical steppingstones to antiracist action and much more." -John Strazzabosco, author of Ninety Feet Under--What Poverty Does to People

"His awakening is a reminder that all of us can experience the same enlightenment if we just open our hearts and minds to the 'others' of society." - Richard Lenhard

"I think you are a prophet." - Monica Roland, freelance writer, editor; Lockport, N.Y.