...all Americans live within the context of one dominant culture, the one brought to this country by white Anglo settlers. Exploring one's relationship to that culture is where the waking-up process begins."
-- Debby Irving (Introduction paragraph 1)

Importance: Irving explains that, while the book contains her personal story, much of it is relevant to everyone because we live in a single culture, defined by white privilege and valuing achievements and status symbols more readily available to white people. In order to "wake up" to the reality of racial injustice in this country, one must examine how this culture defines their own life and how it may hinder the lives of non-white people.

Unlike poverty, skin color is visible and fixed, forever and always...White skin can erroneously bring high expectations and the message 'You belong'; dark skin can erroneously bring low expectations and the message 'You don't belong.
-- Debby Irving (chapter 3 paragraph 4)

Importance: Irving explains that class and race are...