Preconference
Origin Stories: A Personal and Professional Exploration of White Privilege.
Author
- Marissa Wolfe (Iowa State University)
Abstract
During the fall semester, a professional development group in Student Affairs began to explore the topic of White Privilege. We met monthly to discuss two shared books, White Like Me, by Tim Wise and, Waking up White, by Debby Irving. Our conversations frequently revisited the importance of stories, and how cultural experiences of whiteness circumscribe our daily lives. We explored stories from our ancestors, our family, our community, and our own experiences to surface where white dominance and white culture had influence. During this session, participants will hear some of our stories and be given the opportunity to begin documenting their own story of Whiteness.