How We Ended Racism: Realizing a New Possibility in One Generation

While racial hierarchies have been one of the primary organizing aspects of American society for centuries, it is possible to end racism in one generation. To get there, we all must be willing to face difficult internal work. Justin Michael Williams and Shelly Tygielski wrote to transcend racial divides and present a novel approach to imagine a future where racism is no longer prevalent, where people have the knowledge and agency to identify and interrupt racism in all facets of life. The authors leaned upon their combined decades of work in interracial dialogue to present learning resources and actionable steps.

I was drawn to this book because of its bold invitation to end racism by 2050. As a diversity, equity, and inclusion practitioner, I know the history of racism predates any social justice activist alive today. The sense of urgency is palpable because Black and Brown people continue our collective struggle. Williams and Tygielski offer research and strategies to deal with the hard emotions about facing racism, excavating intergenerational trauma, and understanding the roots of our core beliefs and perspectives regarding race. The forward-looking approach invites us to imagine what’s possible rather than focusing on the constraints of ignorance. Who knows? In the hands of dedicated allies, the book’s offerings just might work.