White Fragility

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

By: Dr. Robin DiAngelo, Michael Eric Dyson - foreword

Narrated by: Amy Landon

Length: 6 hrs and 21 mins

Publisher's summary

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.

Download readers' guides at beacon.org/whitefragility.

©2018 Robin DiAngelo (P)2018 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“[T]houghtful, instructive, and comprehensive... This slim book is impressive in its scope and complexity; DiAngelo provides a powerful lens for examining, and practical tools for grappling with, racism today.” (Publishers Weekly, starred review )

“As a woman of color, I find hope in this book because of its potential to disrupt the patterns and relationships that have emerged out of long-standing colonial principles and beliefs. White Fragility is an essential tool toward authentic dialogue and action. May it be so!” (Shakti Butler, president of World Trust and director of Mirrors of Privilege: Making Whiteness Visible)

“The value in White Fragility lies in its methodical, irrefutable exposure of racism in thought and action, and its call for humility and vigilance.” (The New Yorker)

Eye opening

This is not a book that is going to convince someone that we live in a white supremacists culture and country, however if you are open to this being a possibility or you realize this is the case this book is for you. It goes into great detail as to what we should do about talking and thinking about this problem. The author gives great examples of White fragility and comparisons. One of my favorite is she is discussing the “I have a black friend so I can’t be racist.” And compares it to “I have a wife so I can’t be sexist.” Which I’d never thought of it like that and I thought that was so thoughtful. She discusses how silence on the part of whites enables racism to continue. It is an easy read, the use of “academic” language is limited, and her writing style is straightforward. I strongly recommend this audio book.

Hard lesson and so important

I had to read this book in limited doses. It gave me so much to think about and at times it felt like hard work just to keep listening. But that is the point, I think. White people have much work to do to unlearn the racism we swim in everyday. I am very grateful for this book and what it taught me. I’ll be reflecting on its lessons for a long time.

So much valuable information

Everyone white person who wishes to do the work surrounding racism needs to read this book. I can go forward & continue my learning with this book serving as a reference guide.

REQUIRED READING

Hello! Please read this book if you feel the need to better yourself. I, as a adult black male, read this book as a way to help heighten my knowledge when faced with implicit racism. Me and a white customer of mine are always having race discussions and my knowledge now will help me better explain to him the false binary. Thanks to the author for the gained knowledge and insight.

Fantastic Book

A classic! Finally someone has the courage and integrity to explain and dicuss why truth and reconciliation is shared responsibility for addressing America's race relations problems. A hundred salutes to the author.

Wonderfully Hard!

This book is an unflinching view of the phenomenon of White fragility. Very needed, very helpful, and frustratingly difficult all at once.

A must read!

Wow!!!

Wow, Wow, WOW! This is required reading for every white person dedicated to the continued examination and eradication of our own racism.

Enlightening

If you truly care about others. If you tell me you are not racist. If you really want to start to understand what life is like for people outside of your frame of reference. Read this book.

This book will change you.

Painfully incredible. A must in every aspect. Will be listening again and again and again.

Great first (5th, 100th..) step towards self growth

I really appreciate the message. I will listen to this again and again as I work on recognizing my biases, how to use my voice, etc. I highly recommend this book to all humans as it is a much needed eye opener to us all, no matter where we are on our journey of life.