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White Fragility: Why It's So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism Paperback – June 26, 2018
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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.
- Print length192 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherBeacon Press
- Publication dateJune 26, 2018
- Dimensions6 x 0.57 x 9 inches
- ISBN-100807047414
- ISBN-13978-0807047415
- Lexile measure1140L
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Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find the content valuable, validating, and helpful. They also say the book provides an accurate assessment of racism as systemic, societal, institutional, and omnipresent. However, some readers feel the themes are racist, pretentious, and un-relatable. Opinions are mixed on the writing style, with some finding it thoroughly written and transparent, while others say it's challenging and uses terminology differently from common usages.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers find the book provides valuable insights, useful, and approachable. They also say the book contains insightful analysis of unconscious racism and white supremacy. Customers also say it's very eye opening and displays both humility and hope.
"...and explains the roots and foundations of it all soo eloquently, thoroughly and perfectly!..." Read more
"...DiAngelo displays both humility and hope in how she shares personal stories of her own experiences and struggles...." Read more
"...I found this directness extremely helpful...." Read more
"...and is repetitive at times, but it nonetheless advocates for movement toward justice and equality and is therefore a worthwhile read.B+" Read more
Customers find the book timely and a good beginning guide for white people. They also say the subject is timely.
"...The author is clever and original in her argument. The book is a quick read and holds interest well but could have been expressed in a shorter format..." Read more
"...Ironically, the subject is timely and through reading other sources of information on institutionalized racism, I have noticed many examples of this...." Read more
"This book is amazing. It's a quick read that can be completed in one day but the complexity of the concepts will have you coming back to the book..." Read more
"...a wealth of information, "White Fragility" is an engrossing and fast-paced read...." Read more
Customers have mixed opinions about the writing style. Some find the book very thoroughly written, easy to read, and clear. They also say it's bold, important, and interesting. However, others find it challenging, repetitive, and full of jargon.
"...into words and explains the roots and foundations of it all soo eloquently, thoroughly and perfectly!..." Read more
"...for most white Americans to read, but it also uses terminology differently from common usages...." Read more
"This is a good book written in simple format only a few rare vocabulary words used so it’s easy to start and finish...." Read more
"...It does seem to pull some punches and is repetitive at times, but it nonetheless advocates for movement toward justice and equality and is therefore..." Read more
Customers are mixed about the difficult topics in the book. Some find it thought-provoking, while others say it shook them out of their comfort zone and made them physically ill.
"...Not only is the book intentionally uncomfortable for most white Americans to read, but it also uses terminology differently from common usages...." Read more
"...said, this book will definitely make you, as a nice white person, uncomfortable and provide valuable insights. Definitely worth a read." Read more
"...At best it makes white people feel uncomfortable and self-conscious around people of color – a feeling Dr. DiAngelo is supposedly trying to change..." Read more
"...This book is NOT intended to make YOU feel better. But if it helps you make others feel better, then you've taken its message to heart." Read more
Customers find the themes in the book racist, encouraging self-hatred, and condescending.
"...Why do you say it's racist? “It is racist, and I don't mean that Robin DiAngelo is a racist. I'm not calling her that...." Read more
"...I learned is that the author is not intelligent, is illogical, and is racist...." Read more
"...4. It makes no mention whatsoever of capitalism.5. It is neither un-American nor anti-American.6...." Read more
"...The author appears to exhibit an unfortunate and deep self-loathing for her own whiteness that is quite prominent throughout the second half of her..." Read more
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This book is for those who genuinely want to learn and are at the point in their life where they are willing to and want to put the work into being and doing better!
This book is one of those things which should be required reading and taught VERY early in life if humanity and America wants to get any better. It takes putting ones ego and need for power aside, because there’s infinitely more to this world than these fake structures we uphold.
The negative reviews are examples of the very fragility she deeply explains. They missed the point entirely.
I found the book to be both challenging and enlightening. The author definitely challenges white readers to change our perspective on systemic racism in America and the role we play in that system.
In reading the first half of the book, I was troubled a bit by DiAngelo's terminology and word usage. She uses terms such as "racism" and "white supremacy" differently from their more common usages. She is careful to explain her usage and definitions. However, it still took a bit of getting used to.
I was also a bit troubled that her terminology seems intended to make her primary intended audience, white Americans, uncomfortable. However, by the time I finished the book I realized DiAngelo does this on purpose because she sees discomfort as an essential step for most white Americans to begin changing our racial paradigm and begin developing stamina for discussing racial topics without reverting to familiar defensive tactics.
Reading this book also helped me better understand some past conversations I found confusing. It is always easier to communicate when all participants understand the terminology being used.
I feel I also have a better understanding of some of the harsh critiques of this book. Not only is the book intentionally uncomfortable for most white Americans to read, but it also uses terminology differently from common usages. The result is it would be really easy for a reader to take offense... and equally easy to grab a quote out of context that comes across as having a completely different meaning from the author's intent.
Now for some discussion of what the book does not do:
1. It does not promote a socialist agenda.
2. It does not advocate for financial reparations.
3. It does not mention the phrase "Critical Race Theory."
4. It makes no mention whatsoever of capitalism.
5. It is neither un-American nor anti-American.
6. It is not opposed to sound Christian doctrine, nor to the Gospel, nor to the Bible.
7. It is not divisive.
8. It does not seek to make white Americans feel guilty for things done by our ancestors.
On the contrary, the whole point of the book is to help white Americans better understand systemic racism and our role in that system, so we can begin to learn to do better at a personal level. I found the message of this book quite compatible with the commandment of Jesus Christ to love others as He has loved us.
DiAngelo displays both humility and hope in how she shares personal stories of her own experiences and struggles.
DiAngelo is an educator by profession. Her book is very educational. And her vision for reducing inequities of systemic racism is through education.
I highly recommend this book to anyone (especially white Americans) who would like to learn more about systemic racism and our roles in those systems, as well as how we can begin to do better.
I would caution any white reader to read this book with a teachable attitude, prepared to learn. If approached from a position of arrogance, you will likely just come away frustrated and angry.
Top reviews from other countries
It's a short but densely-packed read. You enter it maybe a little worried that it'll be frustrating again (but at least limited to a few pages) and leave - most of all! - a lot calmer, with a much clearer head. My frustration is almost entirely replaced with a curiosity and a better idea how to navigate an issue that is so much bigger than oneself.
I was thinking "What can I do to honor George Floyd, his family and black people in general that I can do from home.
I decided that the very least I could do was buy this book and read it.
To be honest the title triggered feelings of defensiveness and eye rolling. Deep inside of me was a part of me that did NOT want to read this book. I decided that this reaction signalled that I needed to read it. "If people can be out marching and putting their bodies in danger to protest police violence against black people...the very least I can do is read this book with the title that triggers so much anxious avoidance in me."
So I did! And I'm so glad I did. The book discusses the feelings of fear, defensiveness, shame, guilt and anger that white people experience when discussion of racism comes up. It explains where these feelings come from and labels them as being a kind of psychological "syndrome," known as "White Fragility."
It also explains Racism/White Supremacism as a culture we have all grown up within and how our emotional reactions help strengthen that culture vs challenging it and creating something new.
I saw much of myself in the examples given but also, for the 1st time a way of responding to and taking responsibility for these emotional reactions instead of demanding black people stop everything to take care of my feelings.
It gave me words to use, questions to ask myself, ways to understand how my behavior is being perceived and recieved by black people. It gave me examples of ways to own my own racist thoughts or behaviour and ask for forgiveness, attempt to make amends even if the person chooses (as is their right) not to forgive my Racism.
For the 1st time in my life, I feel like I have a bit of a framework and basic etiquette to use to navigate my racist reactions in a way that both empowers me to feel more confident in my diversity skills while also attempting to create more honest and intimate relations with black people.
I can see this book being used in Anti-Racism workshops with white people. Reading a chapter, journalling about our reactions and finding ways to become less "fragile," and more capable of listening to and engaging in respectful discussions of race.
I really mean it. Every single white person should read this book. You wont regret it!





















