Reflections from Eight Decades: Lessons on Racism

After entering my eighth decade on this planet, I felt it was time to share some of the lessons my family and I have learned about racism. My recently released book, Racism: Can We Listen, Learn, and Live Together?, captures our family’s journey and the insights we’ve gained along the way.

Contrary to what some might believe, racism is not a relic of the past—it is alive and well, woven into the fabric of our society.

When we moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan, in 1966, the racial divide between the Black and white communities was stark and undeniable. Accepting a teaching position in the inner city quickly revealed just how little I understood about Black Americans and their experiences. My wife and I made a commitment to live in the community, to listen, learn, and truly understand. It was a commitment that extended to our family: raising our biological white son alongside our adopted Black son, brought into our lives at just one month old.

Fast forward to today, our family is a beautiful, colorful tapestry of over 30 grandchildren, great-grandchildren, spouses, and several adopted family members. Through our lived experiences, I’ve come to see the critical difference between being a racist and being an antiracist: it lies in the willingness to confront what we don’t know—whether out of fear, reluctance, or indifference.

I invite you to join this journey by reading my book. Promise to read it, reflect on its lessons, and share your thoughts through a review. Visit my website, becomingantiracist.org, to voice your questions, opinions, and ideas. Together, we can address this 400-year-old challenge of hate and misinformation, one conversation at a time.

Let’s work toward a better understanding of each other and build a world where we all belong.

Purchase the book here:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/BOCSXJ1BDG

Sincerely,
Dr. Gordon Griffin