White Fragility

Books | Social Science / Discrimination

4.4

(2.0K)

Dr. Robin DiAngelo

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. In this “vital, necessary, and beautiful book” (Michael Eric Dyson), antiracist educator Robin DiAngelo deftly illuminates the phenomenon of white fragility and “allows us to understand racism as a practice not restricted to ‘bad people’ (Claudia Rankine). 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, DiAngelo examines how white fragility develops, how it protects racial inequality, and what we can do to engage more constructively.

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Author

Dr. Robin DiAngelo

Pages

192

Publisher

Beacon Press

Published Date

2018-06-26

ISBN

0807047414 9780807047415

Ratings

Google: 1

Community ReviewsSee all

"I have heard a lot of passionate opinions (including very good and very bad) about this book from both ends of the political spectrum and decided to try it for myself. Personally I did not find it particularly enlightening. While I found a few of her points both insightful and valuable, many seemed unnecessarily divisive, and lacking in evidence to back them up. Most frustrating though was the lack of potential next steps that a well intentioned reader could take to make the very real challenges presented any better in the future. If I had walked away with more that I could do, I might have felt very differently about the book. "

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Ian Morris

"Definitely a book I will reference from time to time, would likely use more like a textbook for continual education."

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Cassie Sandberg

"VerY interesting"

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Sonia Burton

"The BEST book I’ve read on racism in a very long time. Racism is not an isolated and extreme act of prejudice and certainly not mutually exclusive to good and moral behavior. Let go of the good/bad binary construct that states that only bad people are racist. This erroneous idea is what silently continues to perpetuate racism. I wish every single white person I ever interacted with was willing to endure the “discomfort” that comes from learning about growing up in a racism-based society. "

Emersun

"Definitely one I will revisit"

S E

Sarah Evans

"A must-read for white folks. Very thought provoking and good for self-reflection. The ideas will stay with you long after you finish the book (and that's the point)"

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Julia Nosel

"It’s hard to confront your own privilege, your enablement of microagressions, and protection of your white entitlement. However racism is not just an issue for those that are discriminated against. Confronting my own white fragility, white solidarity, and white tears has helped me to become less defensive and more understanding. There is always more to learn. "

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Natasha Esplin

"Unlike many similar examinations of intractable white racism, DiAngelo punctures white complacency, demanding that white people reject defensiveness and egotism, listen to people of color, and be prepared to make amends."

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Lesley Williams

"While I felt it was important to read this because I accept that it's the frame of reference many white people use for discussions on race, I think some key parts of what she says here -- while I assume it to be well-intended -- are dangerous for Black people."

Sandee

"Highly recommend for white people who are just beginning to identify things they need to unlearn/break habits."

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Valerie Smith Olalde

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