White Fragility

Books | Social Science / Discrimination

4.4

(1.9K)

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

"VerY interesting"

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

"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. "

Natasha Esplin

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

Valerie Smith Olalde

"Not only a tool for self-diagnosis of fragility and non-overt racism, but a tool for dealing with our inevitable slips openly and effectively. An excellent read that is both clear and concise."

Rebecca McIntosh

"Truly uplifting and informative. I consider myself an antiracist and this book definitely helped me see myself in a different light and hone the work that I am trying to do. A must read for all white people, but definitely for white people who are involved in antiracism work."

Kim Toben

"I felt this book was almost full of hyberbole . There was definitely some strong points to be made, however I felt the message was lost or hard to find underneath the examples.<br/><br/>I'm still working on making sure it isn't just me rejecting the message, however I feel there are probably better books to work towards. Further reading in the topic would allow me to make a more fair assessment."

John Snache

"It just takes one courageous ally to speak truth to privilege. DiAngelo is that ally. A must read for those serious about understanding the dynamics of white privilege seriously."