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Caleb Petty
Mr. Phillips
CML Period 4
March 23, 2016
White Like Me by Tim Wise
Tim Wise once said, Standing still is never an option as long as inequalities remain
embedded in the very fabric of the culture. Throughout Tim Wises life, Tim has experienced
racism, injustice, and white privilege first hand. From before he was born to when he became a
parent and middle-aged adult, Wise has had to deal with these experiences and all their
consequences, positive and negative. Throughout his book, White Like Me, Wise shares these
events that have ultimately shaped his life. His book is a reflection on his life with a focus on
race in society. By giving personal accounts at each stage of his life, Tim Wise effectively
encourages readers to identify and act upon racism in our modern-day society.
For most of us, our familys history and genealogy greatly impacts our lives even before
we are born. As an example, Wise uses the first chapter, called Born to Belonging to show the
impact his ancestors had on his life within a couple of days of being born. On page two he states,
Once born, I inherited my family and all that came with it... and I inherited my race and all
that came with that too. Wise simply suggests that we all inherit the actions and the
consequences of those actions that our family has made as soon as we are born. For many whites,
Whiteness becomes an uninterrogated norm, taken for granted We are, unlike people of color,
born to belonging, and have rarely had to prove ourselves deserving of our presence here (Wise
3). By saying this Wise exhibits the view-points of whites as well as African Americans, which is
strategic, as it effects a wide variety of readers. Wise points out that whites are born with
privilege and blacks simply are not. This is a very effective example and explanation because it

makes the reader consider the privilege, or lack thereof, that they are born with. The explanation
given is so abrupt and eye-catching that it forces the reader to reflect on his or her own life and
how they are effected by what their ancestors have done. Furthermore, this explanation sets up
the perfect opportunity for Wise to encourage the reader to do something about their history. He
goes on to say And what does your familys past have to do with you? (Wise 21). This
chronology and problem-solution structure by Time Wise allows him to clearly and effectively
get his message across to the reader that ones family history greatly impacts ones own life
while encouraging the reader to be active in response to the readers reflection.
As the book progresses into its last couple of chapters, Wise explores situations focused
on race that he has experienced as a parent. Right off the bat he presents the main focus of the
chapter which is addressed to any parent who may read the book. Wise says, When it comes to
race, unguided conclusions can prove dangerous in other words, unless they [kids] are talking
about discrimination and racism, past and present- those children will likely develop an internal
narrative to explain in inequities they can see, which will lean heavily towards a prejudicial, even
racist conclusion (Wise 253). Here, Wise once again sets up the problem-solution structure that
has proven to be successful throughout the book. However, this time he focuses the call to
action towards to the parents of young children (hence the name of the chapter, Parenthood).
He provides a conclusion and possibly a solution by stating, This is why, when it comes to race,
parents have to be very deliberate and mindful of the lessons were imparting to our kids (Wise
251). This is yet another efficient example given by Wise to further his purpose in writing the
book. He effectively appeals to readers by tugging on their emotions via children. He scares
parents by suggesting that their children will make racial conclusions based on their own
experiences if parents do not directly intervene. While this is an emotional appeal, Wise is hitting

two birds with one stone by also encouraging parents to take action, which is one of his main
goals in writing the book. In all, this chapter is another great example of how Wise
simultaneously addresses race and effectively encourages the reader to take action.
Throughout the book White Like Me, Tim Wise completes the life cycle by giving
examples of situations that deal with race from different parts of his life, from before he was
born to parenthood. In these various examples the reader is taught an important lesson on race
and is encouraged in each chapter to take action. Overall, Wise effectively persuades the reader
that race is an urgent societal problem that needs to be addressed by providing personal examples
that relate to any type of reader. To reinforce his call to action, Wise ends by saying, We do the
work to save our lives morally and ethically, if not physically And what is required is that we
be prepared to die for our principles if need be, but even more so, to be unafraid to live for them.
So let us begin (Wise 271).