Title: Surviving Whiteness at Work: CONVERSATIONS on Defiance, Resistance, and Transformation

Click here for the full proposal.

Guilaine is seeking to publish an anthology with a difference. We are looking to explore surviving, defying and resisting whiteness at work from a lived experience perspective through dialogues and conversations, as part of this unusual project. 

In this book, ‘work’ is to be understood widely, including workplace situations or experiences related to domestic or creative work, research, etc.

Aims of this Book

Our aims are to describe the workings of whiteness through the intimate experiences of our contributors via the mediums of conversations, dialogues and dyadic reflection.

We are interested in what co-authors bring by way of experience, as well as what will emerge during the conversation process.

One core aim is to make sense together as part of this dialogue on suggested areas — see below.

Proposed methodology

The chapters of the book will be based on conversations had with contributors.

All conversations will last around one hour.

Unless contributors choose anonymity, each conversation/chapter will be co-authored by their respective contributors.

The bulk of the chapter will be composed of that conversation and post-conversation reflections/analysis.

We are not only interested in the account of how whiteness causes harm in work contexts, we want to examine, resistance and healing strategies people of colour put in place to survive and thrive within hostile, excluding and othering work situations.

Ultimately, we seek to support anti-racist action in individuals, in groups, organisations, and communities by being able to help identify what works, what helps, what supports healing, growth and transformation when it comes to racialised injustice and violence at work. 

Conversation topics

* Spaces of care in workplaces

* Unionising, mobilising and organisation

* Reclaiming the narrative; “reclaiming my time”-Maxine Waters (2017)

* Accountability pipelines

* Solidarity and alliances formations

* Reflections on organisational transformation.

* Conscientisation and consciousness raising.

* Personal growth stories around confidence, imposterism or self-esteem

* Reflections on taking space, speaking out or reclaiming one’s voice

* Self-care and/or practices of Joy, pleasure and beauty as resistance

* Reflections on experiences of legal/industrial action both ‘successful’ and ‘unsuccessful’

* Reflections on experiences of the usage of complaint mechanisms both ‘successful’ and ‘unsuccessful’

* Establishing home, homeness and belonging in the workplace

* Protecting the domestic arena from toxic workplace dynamics

* Protecting work from toxic domestic dynamics

*Resisting the intersection of both domestic and workplace trauma

All conversations should be centred on lived experiences.

Publication route

At present we are exploring different publication routes including traditional, self-publication and crowdfunding. We will confirm with all contributors the chosen pathway as soon as a decision is made. It is not possible to finalise this decision without a chapter list in any event.

We do not anticipate to be able to pay contributors in cash though this may change, however, we expect to be able to commit to providing each with two copies of the book and/or a book voucher.

How to manifest an interest

Please get in touch, simply email us and let us know what you would like to discuss: contact@racereflections.co.uk with Whiteness at work PITCH in the subject heading.

This is a slight change of direction, you will not be expected to produce a chapter alone.

*Chapters will be centred on the conversation co-authors have with Guilaine.

*You only need to include the theme, area and subject you are interested to converse on.  

*If we are not familar with your work, please include a little bit about your background/biographical details. 

Indicative Timeline

Call for external chapter co-authors/interviewees Dec 2024

Finalising publishing route Feb 2025

Conversations to be had between Spring 2025

Book editing and revising Autumn 2025

Publication Winter 2026

Please use the form below to manifest an interest or email contact@racereflections.co.uk