Wishes In Black and White by Eileen Williams Sabry

Photography by Roya Movafegh

Eileen Williams Sabry was featured on an Oprah Winfrey TV Special to celebrate Martin Luther King Day on Monday, January 15, 2001. She appeared along with Chris Rock, Spike Lee, and other Americans to discuss the thought-provoking question from her book, Wishes in Black & White.

The TV show centered around the theme of her book, Wishes in Black & White, a collection of comments by forty Black and White Americans whom Sabry interviewed about their wishes for better racial relations. The book offers insight and ideas for healing human relations with compassion, understanding, and honest communication. It is filled with candid answers from well-known figures in the fields of education, entertainment, and the social sciences. Sabry says, “By getting at the core of honest communication we can begin to heal past wounds and promote human harmony. That’s my Wish."

Sabry was also interviewed by People Magazine for an article about her book on this timely and important topic.

Wishes in Black & White is an effective motivational tool for stimulating communication in discussion groups, diversity training, human resources, education, and for anyone wishing to gain insight into the pervasive racial conflicts and to participate in healing our relationships in America.

Although issues of racism drift in and out of the national consciousness depending on the ebb and flow of the media, everyday encounters of it serve as a reminder that racism is alive in America

"Our country is torn by misunderstandings that result in a divide along racial lines," according to Eileen Williams Sabry, author of Wishes in Black & White. 

"Blacks and whites have relationships by virtue of living on the same planet; however, their opinions of each other can shadow what they really want to communicate," says the author. "In interviewing people for this book, I found that although the ‘wishes’ differ among racial groups, the answers demonstrate that there are common threads upon which to build. Instead of blaming each other, the answers get at the core of honest communication which can be used to begin to heal past wounds and promote human harmony."

Eileen Williams Sabry was raised in Long Island, New York. She earned a B.A. degree at the State University of New York at Old Westbury. She was the recipient of a Sloan Scholarship to attend Duke University, where she completed a master’s degree. She has worked as a financial analyst and a business analyst consultant and she has launched several community projects.

Wishes in Black & White is an effective tool for discussion groups, diversity training, human resources education, and for anyone who wants to gain insight into the pervasive racial conflicts in America.

REVIEWS ON AMAZON:
5.0 out of 5 stars Bringing a concept to fruition.

Reviewed in the United States on January 20, 2001

Avoiding the extreme views that tend to exacerbate racial problems in the U.S., Ms. Williams Sabry has gone to the middle with her question about what it would take to end racism. The respondents views and thoughts show that the gap CAN be bridged and even hints at how it can be done. The photography is absolutely masterful in bringing out the character and humanity of each individual.
The author is to be congratulated on both the idea and its implementation in the pages of this book. ~ Ginger V Pugliese

 5.0 out of 5 stars Insightful and Honest.....

Reviewed in the United States on January 12, 2001

Two words that describe both the author and her extraordinary book. I had the privilege of meeting Eileen two years ago while she was working on Wishes in Black & White. Eileen's determination to understand race relations in this country and to help each of us understand those thoughts and feelings are aptly conveyed in this book. This is one of the most important books you will ever read! Thank you, Eileen, for being a stakeholder in the well being of America. ~ Mary C. Mcgregor

5.0 out of 5 stars A Wonderful Gift to the World

Reviewed in the United States on January 27, 2002

Thank you Eileen for this wonderful book. The expressions were very vivid and eye-opening and the photos captured the essence of the expressions given. Keep the spirit flowing dear sister. 

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Item

Reviewed in the United States on November 28, 2012