How do we overcome racism in our communities?

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How do decent people allow discrimination and racism to seep into their communities? What do we understand about racism, and how can we bridge racial divides and diverse perspectives? Funded in part by a New Hampshire Humanities Community Project Grant, residents of Madbury, Lee, and Durham have the opportunity to investigate race and racism in a series of book discussions, lectures, art exhibits, and activities for all ages. The featured book is a memoir called Waking Up White and Finding Myself in the Story of Race by Debby Irving. The book invites readers to explore race, culture, and diversity through the personal story of a New Englander whose move from suburbia to the city unravels her understanding of who she was raised to be. The author speaks and joins community members at a dinner on April 16th. For a listing of events, dates and locations, visit www.orcread.org.

"I read Waking Up White in one sitting. To say I loved it is an understatement. It’s such a raw, honest portrait …. Irving’s experience on display – warts and all – will help white people, who haven’t noticed the role systemic privilege has played in their lives, start to see the world in a new way."

- Jodi Picoult, author