Was That Racist?: How to Detect, Interrupt, and Unlearn Bias in Everyday Life

Practice a new framework for dismantling racial bias in our society, our workplaces, and ourselves by learning to detect it as clearly as people of color often do.

How do we combat racism in a world determined to tell us it doesn’t exist?

To challenge racism effectively, we first have to recognize it. As the dominant racial group in American society, White people have a particular responsibility to develop that awareness. According to researcher, DEI leader, and organizational consultant Dr. Evelyn Carter, many White people have not been socialized to detect racial bias in the same way people of color often have. Racism is more than racial slurs, overt hatred, or even unintentional slights—it is also embedded in systems and norms that position Whiteness as the preferred standard.

Fortunately, recognizing racial bias is a skill that can be learned.

Was That Racist? is part re-education, part call to action, and part practical guide. Drawing on research-backed strategies, the book shows readers how to cultivate a growth mindset about bias, move beyond colorblindness toward color consciousness, talk with children about race and racism, and help others join the work of creating meaningful change.

At a time when diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts are under sustained attack, Was That Racist? offers an essential toolkit for anyone who believes we all have a role to play in building a more equitable world.