by Jeff Hitchcock

WACAN's sister organization has published its third book and it's a hit! The title is Walk with Us: Triplet Boys, Their Teen Parents & Two White Women Who Tagged Along.

Don't take my word. The author, Elizabeth Gordon, has kindly let us publish two excerpts:

Walk with Us: Chapter 1
Walk with Us: Chapter 20

Here's the book's web site: www.WalkWithUs.info

The book is a memoir set in Philadelphia. [From the cover] At the beginning of the end of "welfare as we know it" Tahija, an effectively homeless teenaged girl, finds herself pregnant. With triplets. Her boyfriend Lamarr turns to one of the few resources in his North Philly neighborhood: Kaki and Kathryn (Elizabeth), two white woman who left the suburbs to live in multiracial community and work for peace. The young mother moves in "just until the babies come." But when they do come-three beautiful boys-the state threatens to take them into custody because the parents are so young (fifteen and seventeen), so poor, and without apparent adult support. Unless ...

I don't think it's giving away too much to say the story ends on an uplifting note.

Crandall, Dostie & Douglass, our publishing company, has enjoyed good sales on our previous titles. But Walk with Us is flying our of our warehouse (well, actually my garage). I wish I could say more, but the excerpts give you an idea. If you like a compelling, heartwarming, challenging story told by a white anti-racist sister, this is the book for you.

p.s. Walk with Us will be offered as a premium item during our annual fundraiser in December.

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No letters from last issue.

White staffers sue the New Orleans District Attorney's office, successfully, while the New Orleans city council reverts to a white majority for the first time in 20 years.

Black man charged with murder of pals shot by white homeowner. Report on New York police practices raises questions. Recent FBI report shows hate crime increase, but statistics lack credibility (Story 1, Story 2).

Supreme Court integration decision wreaks confusion.

Republican candidate garners white supremacist endorsements.

Conservative echo chamber still reverberating from University of Delaware debacle.

Macalester College white student allies cite privilege in discussion of race. Amherst public schools learn about white privilege [report begins halfway down page]. Discussing race labels one racist laments Brandeis student. Queen's University, Ontario, appoints diversity advisor to address "culture of whiteness." Georgetown white coed heads local NAACP chapter. University of Illinois sinks to the racist depths over symbol. Smith College coed didn't get the message: blackface is wrong.

Scottish anti-racists mark historic anniversary. A Northern Ireland town holds anti-racism seminars. The BBC looks at white fears of immigration. United Kingdom officials crack down on the skin bleaching trade. Former leader of the former Rhodesia, and life long white supremacist, Ian Smith, dies.

UP SOUTH: New Jersey cop racist to the core. Stoning of synagogue draws 11 years. White woman stabs black couple. Canadian anti-racism activist wins suit against white supremacist.

Multifaith, interracial chorus performs in Richmond, VA. Also in Richmond, Episcopal church begins anti-racism training sessions. In Maine, Episcopalians call upon Queen Elizabeth to rescind the "doctrine of discovery." Famed theologian faults white pastors for inaction on racism. Youngstown Catholic bishop calls for work to end racism.

The Princeton Prize in Race Relations is available to high school students who have had a significant, positive effect on race relations in their communities. For students attending school in the greater Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Cincinnati, Chicago, Dallas, Essex County NJ, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, Philadelphia, Nashville, New York City, Northwestern New Jersey, Princeton, Rochester, San Francisco Bay Area, Seattle, Washington, D.C. metropolitan areas, and the state of Connecticut. Prize is $1,000. Apply by January 31, 2008.

Cities of Whiteness, by Wendy S. Shaw

Them, by Nathan McCall

The Great White North, by Darren Lund and Paul Carr

"Middle Class Angst: The Politics of Lemmings (Part I)" by Stan Goff. Atlantic Free Press, November 21, 2007.

"'Gentleman's agreement' out, overt racism back in vogue" by James Clingman. Frost Illustrated, November 21, 2007.

"One child grows up to be somebody that just loves to learn ..." by Eric Alterman, Media Matters for America, November 13, 2007.