Sharing Our Stories: Introducing the writers

Introducing Roseanna M. White, in her words:

I love to explore ideas. 

Having come out of a college that focuses on philosophy and conversation and the foundational writings of Western civilization, I spend a lot of time thinking about the big questions (some might say too much time, ha ha). I’ve always thought “equality” was important…and that because I wanted it, that meant it was a finished process. I always assumed, in some part of my mind, that the work had been done and we could just walk in it, if only we’d stop focusing on our differences. 

In the last year or so, though, I’ve begun to see that the process of equality is far from complete, and that wanting a thing doesn’t make it so. We have to do the work—continually, tirelessly, without fail, day in and day out. I’ve come to see that it’s not enough to not be something bad—a racist or a bigot or judgmental—we have to actively work against racism or bigotry or prejudice.

I come from an interesting part of the country. West Virginia exists as a state because it remained in the Union (or rejoined it, actually) when Virginia seceded with the Confederacy. But this decision was more political—and the seizing of a loophole that would allow for statehood—than cultural or moral. We’re an interesting jumble of Northern and Southern sentiments and traditions. And we have a bit of a reputation of our own. 

Let’s be honest—when most people hear “West Virginia,” they make a few snap judgments about hillbillies and rednecks and twangs and family feuds. I’ve found, however, that these are judgments I can overcome easily by speaking in a certain way, dressing in a certain way, and behaving in a certain way.

It took me a long time to realize that not all prejudice is equal. Because it can’t all be overcome so easily.

It took me a long time to realize that trying to be “color blind” isn’t in fact helpful, because it doesn’t acknowledge the very real experiences of my neighbors.

My heart was, I think, in the right place. But I regret that, by not seeing the scope of the problem, I may have played into it. That’s the last thing I ever wanted to do. And so, now I’m trying to put aside the mere philosophy and live out the action of actually loving my neighbors, in all our differences. Of walking beside people in their experiences, in their pain, in their joys.

I don’t pretend to have the answers. But I’m eager to be on the journey toward a God-inspired reconciliation. Between different races, different cultures, different churches, all made in the image of God. And when we focus on Him, I have a feeling He’ll show us things about ourselves and each other that we never could have dreamed.

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Author Bio:

Roseanna M. White is a bestselling, Christy Award nominated author who has long claimed that words are the air she breathes. 

When not writing fiction, she’s homeschooling her two kids, editing for WhiteFire Publishing, designing book covers, and pretending her house will clean itself. 

Roseanna is the author of a slew of historical novels that span several continents and thousands of years. Spies and war and mayhem always seem to find their way into her books…to offset her real life, which is blessedly ordinary. 

You can learn more about her and her stories at www.RoseannaMWhite.com.

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Connect with Roseanna:
Blog: https://roseannamwhite.com/blog/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RoseannaMWhite/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/roseannamwhite/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/roseannamwhite/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/RoseannaMWhite
Website: https://www.roseannamwhite.com