Submitted by Linda Oppenheim:

Not in Our Town board member Simona Brickers initiated this program. She contacted author Debby Irving and began plans for her to speak in Princeton. The Princeton Public Library and The Hun School of Princeton were co-sponsors. Outreach to individuals and organizations was done to raise funds to cover Debby Irving’s expenses.

To prepare for Irving’s visit on Monday, April 18, Brickers planned three 1 ½ hour evening discussions of her book Waking up White on Tuesdays, March 22, 29, and May 5. The discussions were held in the Princeton Municipal Building Community Room. The book was also the focus of NIOT’s January and April monthly Continuing Conversations on Race and White Privilege.

Patricia Deeney and Jim Weber, members of the Intergroup Dialogue, were the lead facilitators for the book discussions along with Linda Oppenheim. They planned the format of each session, reviewed by Simona and Linda, which included reading excerpts from the book and 2-3 questions. Labyrinth Books, independent bookseller in Princeton, agreed to order 50 copies of Waking up White to sell at the talks.

For the complete 12 page report, click here.