Robin J. DiAngelo is an American academic and author recognized for her research in critical discourse analysis and whiteness studies. She coined the term "white fragility," describing the defensive reactions of white people when confronted with their racial advantages. Her work explores how these reactions serve to maintain and protect racial inequalities. DiAngelo focuses on how language and discourse shape our understanding of racial issues and contribute to upholding societal structures.
In "What Does It Mean to Be White?", Robin DiAngelo explores the complexities of white identity in a racially divided society. She addresses white racial illiteracy, the impact of segregation, and challenges popular narratives that deny racism. This revised edition includes new chapters and discussion tools, making it a vital resource for anti-racism education.
DiAngelo identifies racial patterns and breaks down how well-intentioned white people unknowingly perpetuate racial harm. These patterns include rushing to prove that we are 'not racist'; downplaying white advantage; romanticizing Black, Indigenous and other peoples of colour; pretending white segregation 'just happens'; expecting BIPOC people to teach us about racism; carefulness; and shame
Anger. Fear. Guilt. Denial. Silence. These are the ways in which ordinary white people react when it is pointed out to them that they have done or said something that has - unintentionally - caused racial offence or hurt. After, all, a racist is the worst thing a person can be, right? But these reactions only serve to silence people of colour, who cannot give honest feedback to 'liberal' white people lest they provoke a dangerous emotional reaction. Robin DiAngelo coined the term 'White Fragility' in 2011 to describe this process and is here to show us how it serves to uphold the system of white supremacy. Using knowledge and insight gained over decades of running racial awareness workshops and working on this idea as a Professor of Whiteness Studies, she shows us how we can start having more honest conversations, listen to each other better and react to feedback with grace and humility. It is not enough to simply hold abstract progressive views and condemn the obvious racists on social media - change starts with us all at a practical, granular level, and it is time for all white people to take responsibility for relinquishing their own racial supremacy.
Racism is not a simple matter of good people versus bad. In White Fragility, Robin DiAngelo explained how racism is a system into which all white people are socialized. She also made a provocative claim: that white progressives cause the most daily harm to people of colour. In Nice Racism, her follow-up work, she explains how they do so. Drawing on her background as a sociologist and over twenty-five years working as an antiracist educator, she moves the conversation forward. Writing directly to white people as a white person, DiAngelo identifies many common racial patterns and breaks down how well-intentioned white people unknowingly perpetuate racial harm. Writing candidly about her own missteps and struggles, she models a path forward, encouraging white readers to continually face their complicity and embrace courage, lifelong commitment and accountability. Nice Racism is an essential work for any white person who wants to take steps to align their values with their actual practice, and offers people of colour an 'insider's' perspective which may be helpful for navigating whiteness.
Foreword by Michael Eric Dyson Author's Note Introduction: We Can't Get There from Here The Challenges of Talking to White People About Racism Racism and White Supremacy Racism After the Civil Rights Movement How Does Race Shape the Lives of White People? The Good/Bad Binary Anti-Blackness Racial Triggers for White People The Result: White Fragility White Fragility in Action White Fragility and the Rules of Engagement White Women's Tears Where Do We Go from Here? Resources for Continuing Education Acknowledgments Notes
A reimagining of the best-selling book that gives young adults the tools to ask questions, engage in dialogue, challenge their ways of thinking, and take action to create a more racially just world. “I was taught to treat everyone the same.” “I don’t see color.” “My parents voted for Obama.” When white people have the opportunity to think and talk about race and racism, they more often than not don’t know how. In this adaptation of Dr. Robin DiAngelo’s best-selling book White Fragility, anti-racist educators Toni Graves Williamson and Ali Michael explain the concept of systemic racism to young adult readers and how to recognize it in themselves and the world around them. Along the way, Williamson and Michael provide tools for taking action to challenge systems of inequity and racism as they move into adulthood. Throughout the book, readers will find the following: · A dialogue between the adaptors that models anti-racist discussions · Definitions of key terms · Personal stories from this multiracial team · Discussion prompts to encourage readers to journal their reactions and feelings · Illustrations to help concepts of white fragility and systemic racism come alive · Portraits of scholars and activists, including Carol Anderson, Ta-Nehisi Coates, and Ijeoma Oluo, whose work is amplified throughout Dr. DiAngelo’s theory of white fragility.
"A first of its kind, accessible, in-depth resource for leading effective white racial affinity groups-an essential tool for building the skills and perspectives needed for white people to challenge racism"-- Provided by publisher