Let’s Talk Race

White privilege. White fear. White guilt. Ingrained, systemic racism is being revealed and yet many white people have been unable or unwilling to talk about it. The conversations need to start now.

Let’s Talk Race confronts why white people struggle to talk about race, why we need to own this problem, and how we can learn to do the work ourselves and stop expecting Black people to do it for us.

Written by two specialists in race relations and parents of two adopted African American sons, the book provides unique insights and practical guidance richly illustrated with personal examples, anecdotes, and prompts for personal reflection and conversations about race.

Coverage Includes

  • Seeing the varied forms of racism
  • How we normalize and privilege whiteness
  • Essential and often unknown elements of Black history that inform the present
  • Racial disparities in education, health, criminal justice, and wealth
  • Understanding racially-linked cultural differences
  • How to find conversational partners and create safe spaces for conversations
  • Conversational do’s and don’ts

Moving Forward

Let’s Talk Race is for all white people who want to face the challenges of talking about race and working towards justice and equity.

The Authors

Fern L. Johnson, Ph.D., is Senior Research Scholar and Professor Emerita at Clark University, specializing in race and culture.

Marlene G. Fine, Ph.D., is Professor Emerita at Simmons University, specializing in cultural diversity and leadership.

As white parents of African American sons, they co-authored The Interracial Adoption Option. They reside near Boston, Massachusetts.

Learn More About The Authors

Events & Interviews

November 3rd, 2021
Greenfield Community College Senior Symposium, “Conversations about Race: An Imperative for White People,”  

https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/play/eIOM9-YG1zPEwQzfX0gfW6FywhBGGQVGYAJnAQtxRJRbvyu9ekItdIVDi7c8Eu0GfdbCZpZJPPGcEj_a.T5AdhPIQFLIUEzu6?continueMode=true

October 26th, 2021
Featured in “What I’ve Learned,” episode of “Sylvia & Me, Life Apres,” national podcast, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7QPKIY8iWXs

July 14th, 2021
Interview with host Monica Hadley, “Writers’ Voices,” national podcast, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7QPKIY8iWXs

June 17th, 2021
Interview with host Sylvia Beckerman, “Sylvia & Me, Life Apres,” national podcast, https://lifeapres.com/podcast/lets-talk-race/

June 12th, 2021
Interview with host Janeane Bernstein, “Get the Funk Out,” KUCI, NPR, Orange County Public Radio, Orange County CA, https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/kuci-get-the-funk-out-janeane-bernstein-CSZJMYGKjhl/

June 9th, 2021
Interview with host Geoffrey Riley with call-ins, “The Jefferson Exchange,” Jefferson Public Radio, NPR affiliate, Mendocino CA & Eugene OR https://www.ijpr.org/show/the-jefferson-exchange

May 24th, 2021
Interview with host Shelley Irwin, “Morning Show,” WGVU Radio, NPR affiliate, Grand Rapids MI, https://www.wgvunews.org/post/lets-talk-race

May 21st, 2021
Interview with cohosts Monica Hadley & Caroline Kilbourn, Writer’s Voice Podcasts, available at https://writersvoices.com/

May 19th, 2021
Author talk sponsored by Gleason Public Library, Carlisle MA

May 19th, 2021
Interview with Guy Rathbun, “Ideasphere,” NPR, PRX, https://beta.prx.org/stories/370091

May 11th, 2021
Author talk sponsored by FCC Wilmot Racial Justice Team and Morgan Hill Bookstore, New London NH.

May 10th, 2021
Interview with Frankie Boyer, “The Frankie Boyer Lifestyle Show,” WBIX/WXBR Radio, Boston MA, https://www.iheart.com/podcast/966-the-frankie-boyer-show-63925615/episode/steven-rothberg-chief-visionary-officer-and-82411255/

May 8th, 2021
Interview with host Bob Johnson, “Second Saturday Magazine,” WPKM Radio, Bridgeport CT & Montauk NY

May 7th, 2021
Interview with host Lisa Mullins, “Here and Now,” WBUR NPR Boston MA
https://www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2021/05/07/lets-talk-race-book

April 28th, 2021
Interview with Joe Donahue, “The Round Table,” WAMC NPR Albany New York
https://www.wamc.org/post/lets-talk-race-guide-white-people-fern-johnson-and-marlene-fine

April 28th, 2021
“Pop-It Worcester Podcast” Interview with Sarah Connell Sanders & Molly O’Connor
https://popitworcester.libsyn.com/johnson-fine-authors-of-lets-talk-race-a-guide-for-white-people

April 26th, 2021
Interview with Sherman Whitman “The K-Zone Lunch Box,” WPKZ-FM/AM
https://soundcloud.com/kzoneradio/4-26-21-sherman-lunchbox

April 23rd, 2021
Interview with host Thomas Edward Rehfeldt, “Breaktime,” WBEV, Madison and central Wisconsin

April 22nd, 2021
Interview with Lisa Mullins, host of WBUR NPR Boston “All Things Considered,” “‘We Must All Engage’: In New Book, Scholars Offer Advice for White People When Discussing Race”
https://www.wbur.org/news/2021/04/22/lets-talk-race-book-authors

April 21st, 2021
Interview with host Jim Engster, “Talk Louisiana,” WRKF NPR, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
https://www.wrkf.org/show/talk-louisiana/2021-04-21/wednesday-april-21st-dylan-waguespack-ted-james-marlene-fine-fern-johnson

April 21st, 2021
Interview with Eric Schubring, “Morning Edition,” WOJB NPR, Hayward & northwestern Wisconsin including Lac Courte Oreilles Reservation

April 20th, 2021
Podcast interview with Robbin McManne, Parenting Our Future
parentingforconnection.com/podcast-1 

April 14th, 2021, 7:00 pm
Virtual Book Launch Conversation with Lisa Mullins
Brookline Booksmith, Brookline MA

April 14th, 10:30-11:15 am
Live interview with Rich Fisher, host of Studio Tulsa, KWGS Radio, regionally syndicated NPR show
https://tunein.com/podcasts/Public-Radio/StudioTulsa-p2500/?topicId=162330159
Rebroadcast on July 22nd https://www.publicradiotulsa.org/post/lets-talk-race-guide-white-people-encore#stream/0

April 12th, 2021, 8:00-9:00 pm
Live interview with David McMillan, host of Strategies for Living, ABC Radio Network, Townsquare Media, KEEL Radio
Listen: https://www.facebook.com/112880256911150/videos/
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