Love you sis, Kimberlee Yolanda WilliamsĪ white woman who is already doing “her work.” She needs no convincing she is already involved in Belonging/DEI/Social Justice movements. May you feel as seen, heard, and valued as all of you have made me feel every single goddamned day. ![]() Consider this my prescription for the historical ailment that continues to divide us.Īnd, finally, to my Black and brown sistas all over the world, I know that I am unable to speak for all of you and that you may even disagree with the very premise of this book, but may your hearts sing songs of relief and resonance as you read this. I also hope you’ll appreciate learning the simple sisterly behaviors that let me know you’re open to coming home. I hope you’ll feel the mix of confusion, rage, and longing the search ignites in me. Kind of the way some men may make you feel sometimes. This book is an attempt to call you “back home.” In 40 letters to a fictional “missing” white sister, I’ll lay out how you and your white sisters signal to me and my sistas of color to proceed with caution when in your presence. If you’re reading this, you’ve taken the first step to renewing our sisterhood. Can I trust you to come through for me? For us? For our sisterhood? Do you understand what keeps us apart? ‘Cause I need you to know. I know we’ve never gotten this relationship off the ground in a sustainable way, but I still believe in it. Please don’t let me and your other Black and brown sisters down. Don’t turn away ‘cause you saw the word white! Keep reading! I’m calling on you and counting on you, white woman, in a way that no one ever has. This is a book I’ll be handing out often! Emily Nelson, Executive Director, The Flourish Collective As much as this book helps me understand Blackness, it also helps me come face-to-face with my whiteness. I have read many books about race and reconciliation, but this style of writing personal letters helped me better understand an individual’s pain and longing. Thank you Kimberlee! Varetta Mayes, Leadership, The Flourish Collective I am in awe of her stepping out and telling us we are “trapped so deep in our insulated identity lens” that we fail to look up to see for one second that we are Sistas. Williams aptly describes the daunting experience to be Black and wanting to be accepted when acceptance means you have to be white. Valerie Alexander, speaker, Author of How Women Can Succeed in the Workplace (Despite Having "Female Brains") This is a work of pure artistry and a catalyst for real connection. ![]() I’ve read at least a dozen books that explain implicit bias and microaggressions, but Kim’s clear, simple letters to the white woman she wants back in her life make these concepts crystal clear and undeniable. Ilsa Marie Govan and Tilman Smith, Co-Authors of What’s Up with White Women: Unpacking Sexism and White Privilege in Pursuit of Racial Justice Author of White Fragility and Nice RacismĪ beautiful and generous invitation…a much-needed book for all white women to read and reflect on how we can more authentically be in loving relationships with our sisters of color and reclaim our own joy when we come home. May we find our way! Robin DiAngelo, PhD. Not willing to give up hope for our collective liberation, Williams offers a guiding light as she calls white women home. Julie Lythcott-Haims, speaker, activist, New York Times bestselling author A compelling read for white and Black women alike. ![]() Williams reckons with our divided times and beckons the way to a more united future.
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