Listening: Listening both to bear witness and to learn

Chapter 44 of Waking Up White: and finding myself in the story of RACE by Debbie Irving

Challenge yourself in the next conversation you’re part of to ask more questions than you typically would and refrain from offering your own opinion. Take note of where the conversation goes.

Since serving as a Table Facilitator at Dallas Dinner Table for several years about 10 years ago, I have found the best way to be in a group is to listen deeply. It’s hard when you first start practicing this to not offer your own opinion at every turn, but you learn so much more, and the other people in the room feel so much more valued if you just shut up and LISTEN.

If you would like to join me as I blog about my experiences with race, please read the book. It was life changing for me.