White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism
Author: Robin DiAngelo
Publisher: Beacon Press
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Cover Description
The New York Times best-selling book exploring the counterproductive reactions white people have when their assumptions about race are challenged, and how these reactions maintain racial inequality.
Referring to the defensive moves that white people make when challenged racially, white fragility is characterized by emotions such as anger, fear, and guilt and by behaviors including argumentation and silence. These behaviors, in turn, function to reinstate white racial equilibrium and prevent any meaningful cross-racial dialogue. In this in-depth exploration, anti-racist educator Robin DiAngelo examines how white fragility develops, how it protects racial inequality, and what can be done to engage more constructively.
TL;DR Review
I don’t have much to say about this beyond what’s been said before: If you are white, read it.
For you if: You are white.
Full Review
I’m not going to comment on this one’s merits, because I think it’s pretty clear that this book is worth every white person’s time.
Robin DiAngelo has spent her life educating herself and others about racism and white fragility (defensiveness to being confronted about their racism). She clearly explains what white fragility is, why it’s harmful, and how deep-seated it is within all of us. Then she offers guidance about moving forward and continuing to learn.
Every white person can get something out of this book, whether you are familiar with antiracism work or not. I work for a very socially conscious company and have read books that talk about racism before, but a) we need to have this stuff drilled into us constantly, and b) there is always more to unlock about yourself and your own racism.
That was true for me. I listened to the audiobook while I went on runs, and I had several small breakthroughs where I came to understand myself better. And that’s what I’m going for here.