Goldmine Reads - White Fragility--Summarized for Busy People: Why Its So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism: Based on the Book by Robin J. DiAngelo

WHITE FRAGILITY

Summarized for Busy People

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

Based on the Book by Robin J. DiAngelo

Goldmine Reads

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

A n American academic , educator and author, White Fragilitys author, Robin J. DiAngelo specializes in critical discourse analysis and whiteness studies. During the course of her career, she has published two other books; both of which are centered on social justice and racial equality. She has been a two-time recipient of the Students Choice Awards for Educator of the Year.

Currently residing in Seattle, Washington, DiAngelo has been a consultant and trainer on topics involving racial issues for over twenty years. She completed a Ph.D. degree in Multicultural Education at the Washington University. Following her academic accomplishment, she then went on to pursue a career at the Westfield State Universityfirst as a lecturer in 2007, and then as a multicultural education professor in 2014. At present, she is now a part-time lecturer at Washington Universitys School of Social Work. Aside from lecturing part-time at Washington University, DiAngelo is also the Equity Director of Sound Generations, a Seattle-based non-profit organization.

DiAngelo is also known and respected for her seminars and workshop about racial issues. She discusses how American politics and culture has been deeply embedded with racism. In 2011, she formulated the term white fragility. It was after she wrote her thesis, one that was also reviewed by peers. Major publications that featured DiAngelos article include the Atlantic, Colorlines, the New York Times and Salon.

ABOUT THIS BOOK SUMMARY

T his book summary and analysis was created for individuals who want to extract the essential contents and are too busy to go through the full version.

With the aid of this summary, readers will find it easier to digest the terminologies and concepts introduced by the author in White Fragility. All of the sensitive topics tackled in explaining the negative involvement of white individuals in reinforcing racism are introduced in a manner that readers will focus more on the intellectual aspect of the books content rather the emotional affect that it instigates. This way, the audience can go through each of the chapters fundamental principles with a more critical eye, and readily do self reflections as they read further into the book.

This book is not intended to replace the original copy. We highly encourage you to purchase the full version instead.

BOOK OVERVIEW

R obin J. DiAngelos book, White Fragility: Why Its So Hard for White People to Talk about Racism, delves deep into the notion that white Americans are socially built to keep their mouths zipped when it comes to issues involving racism. It is this social construct that restrains their capability to bear with any conversation or argument thats centered on racial justice and equality. Their inhibition leaves white individuals aggressive and on defense whenever their racist beliefs are being confronted openly.

The term white fragility is describe as a condition wherein even just the smallest level of racial stress becomes unbearable, thus prompting an array of self-protective responses. A white person would usually become reserved or assertive whenever their ideas and statements that are racist in nature are questioned. Where the problem lies in this is that, white people are consumed by the belief that an evil individual is the one behind racist events and behavior. But that is not really the case.

The truth is racism is an organization and structure encompassing every aspect of American culture and society. In fact, white individuals are this structures silent recipients. Put more simply, a person can be good yet still hold racially prejudiced perspectives. The author argues that even without them realizing it, white people frequently exercise this.

DiAngelo proposes that it is necessary for white people to learn how to not be indifferent and overprotective while trying to put up with conversations that tackle racism. More importantly, white people must also take an in-depth examination of their life choices and work to confront their racially discriminative ideas and views.

CHAPTER 1: WHY IS IT CHALLENGING TO DISCUSS RACISM WITH WHITE PEOPLE?