White Fragility: Why It's So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism

Robin DiAngelo's book "White Fragility" is a necessary read for all people invested in societal change. She coined the term "White Fragility" in 2011 to describe how ordinary white people react when confronted with racism, and how this serves to uphold the system of white supremacy. DiAngelo offers insight and knowledge gained over decades of running racial awareness workshops to show how we can start having more honest conversations, listen to each other better, and react to feedback with grace and humility. The book challenges the idea that change starts with abstract progressive views and condemns the obvious racists on social media, and emphasizes that change starts with us all at a practical, granular level.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 192 pages
Publication date: 07 February 2019
Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd

Robin DiAngelo's groundbreaking work, "White Fragility," delves into the complex and often unconscious reactions of white people when confronted with issues of race. By challenging the notion that racism is solely the domain of "bad people" and recognizing it as a practice deeply embedded in society, DiAngelo offers a profound understanding of racism. Through her clear and compassionate writing, she moves the national discourse forward, fostering a more inclusive and equitable society.

This book is a must-read for anyone who is committed to societal change. Claudia Rankine, a renowned poet and author, praises DiAngelo's work, highlighting the ways in which ordinary white people react with anger, fear, guilt, and denial when confronted with their racial biases. These reactions, however, serve to silence people of color, preventing them from giving honest feedback to liberal white people. DiAngelo coined the term "White Fragility" in 2011 to describe this process and argues that it perpetuates the system of white supremacy.

In "White Fragility," DiAngelo draws on her extensive experience running racial awareness workshops and working as a Professor of Whiteness Studies to provide insights and strategies for having more honest conversations, listening to each other better, and reacting to feedback with grace and humility. She challenges white people to take responsibility for relinquishing their own racial supremacy and recognizes that change starts with each individual at a practical, granular level.

DiAngelo's work is both mordant and inspirational, offering a powerful argument that historical forces and systemic inequalities stack the deck against racial justice alongside one that suggests we can achieve progress by being clearer, trying harder, and doing better. Her book has received widespread acclaim and has been instrumental in shaping conversations about race and identity in America.

In conclusion, "White Fragility" is a groundbreaking work that challenges white people to confront their own biases and work towards creating a more inclusive and equitable society. By offering a nuanced understanding of racism and providing practical strategies for change, DiAngelo has made a significant contribution to the ongoing dialogue about race and identity in America.

Weight: 148g
Dimension: 195 x 121 x 12 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780141990569