All of the surveys reveal most Americans have few friends of another race. Even though most agree building friendships across racial lines can be greatly beneficial and enriching, most people rarely strike up meaningful relationships outside of their racial group.

At a time when racial relations in the country remain fraught, a new book suggests the thorny conversation about race and racism may be best achieved in one-on-one cross-racial relationships. In this special one hour show we examine cross-racial friendships drawing from the real-life friendships, data and surveys in the new book, Some of My Friends Are: The Daunting Challenges and Untapped Benefits of Cross-Racial Friendships by Dr. Deborah Plummer.

Guests:

Deborah Plummer - Vice Chancellor of diversity at University of Massachusetts Medical School and the author of Some of My Friends Are: The Daunting Challenges and Untapped Benefits of Cross-Racial Friendships.

Perpetua Charles - Associate Publicist at Beacon Press and friend of Clara Durrance.

Clara Durrance - Sales Assistant at Infinex Investment and friend of Perpetua Charles.

Later in the show:

Of the many things that can divide Americans — political beliefs, nationality, religion, age, gender identity — one of the most difficult to navigate is race. Even after decades of civil rights gains and positive diversity efforts, racial relations in the U.S. remain fraught. And the tension can be seen at every level of our society, from presidential to personal. But in small groups across the country, there is a quiet effort to develop authentic dialogue through cross-racial friendships.

Guests:

David Howse - Executive Director of ArtsEmerson, Senior Associate Vice President of the Office of the Arts at Emerson College and an organizer of Eggs and Social Justice.

Eve Bridburg - Founder and Executive Director of Grub Street and an organizer of Eggs and Social Justice.

Alyce Johnson - Interim Institute Community Equity Officer at MIT and a member of “The Club.”

Sharon Bridburg - Director of HR for the Office of the Vice Chancellor at MIT and a member of “The Club.”

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