Nice Racism

How Progressive White People Perpetuate Racial Harm

By: Dr. Robin DiAngelo

Narrated by: Dr. Robin DiAngelo

Length: 8 hrs and 40 mins

Publisher's summary

New York Times Best Seller

Building on the groundwork laid in the New York Times best seller White Fragility, Robin DiAngelo explores how a culture of niceness inadvertently promotes racism.

In White Fragility, Robin DiAngelo explained how racism is a system into which all White people are socialized and challenged the belief that racism is a simple matter of good people versus bad. DiAngelo also made a provocative claim: White progressives cause the most daily harm to people of color. In Nice Racism, her follow-up work, she explains how they do so. Drawing on her background as a sociologist and over 25 years working as an anti-racist educator, she picks up where White Fragility left off and moves the conversation forward.

Writing directly to White people as a White person, DiAngelo identifies many common white 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 color (BIPOC),
• pretending white segregation “just happens”,
• expecting BIPOC people to teach us about racism,
• carefulness,
• and feeling immobilized by shame.

DiAngelo explains how spiritual White progressives seeking community by coopting Indigenous and other groups’ rituals create separation, not connection. She challenges the ideology of individualism and explains why it is okay to generalize about White people, and she demonstrates how White people who experience other oppressions still benefit from systemic racism. 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 recognizes the existence of systemic racism and white supremacy and wants to take steps to align their values with their actual practice. BIPOC listeners may also find the “insiders” perspective useful for navigating whiteness.

Includes a study guide.

©2021 Robin DiAngelo (P)2021 Beacon Press

Critic reviews

"A powerful new book from the author of White Fragility reveals why profound racism is often found in supposedly liberal spaces." (The Guardian)

“A pointed reminder that good intentions aren’t enough to break the cycle of racism.” (Kirkus Reviews)

“A fierce critique of the ‘culture of niceness’ that prevents the hard work of dismantling racism.... [DiAngelo] dismantles unconscious biases with precision. Readers will feel compelled to hold themselves more accountable.” (Publishers Weekly)

Everyone needs to listen to this book

I was blown away at the depth and candour in this book. I applaud the author for their research and for laying out the damage that can be done by well-meaning people if they do not consider their impact. I finish this book with a lot of work ahead of me. I need to consider how the feedback in this book shows up for me and the work that I need to do to reduce harm and to be able to positively affect change.

Thank you for calling out the work that needs to done.

Necessary

This book perfectly summarizes feelings and situations I have frequently found myself in. Racism is not just KKK and burning crosses. Most black Americans do not experience racism that extreme. That is a great listen for people that want to strengthen their allyship.

incredible book. great perspectives

if nothing else, everybody needs to read this book. not the best starting point, a bit complex for the typical but anybody beyond the beginning stages will have some ugly feelings to deal with

I just got a honest intelligent session on racism.

I feel like I just had neural surgery. Not since Jane Elliot, I have heard/read such a impressive message. I wish she would come and educate my circles of life here in NC. That’s why her books exist; so we can communicate to each other in a better/different way. Thank you Ms. DiAngelo for making an impact on our planet Earth.

Open minded people? This book is for you!

Dr. Robin DiAngelo brilliantly illustrates how many People of Color regularly experience open minded white people, who do not think they are racist, and poses reflective questions and actions for all readers to consider. Robin DiAngelo clearly explains why many white peoples' behaviors can cause harm, even when they think they're not being racist. The myriad of racial nuances are explored by Robin DiAngelo, including many personal experiences that are relatable, especially if white people are willing to look at themselves in a honest way. For white people who would like to be less racially offensive, please read "Nice Racism" and choose to take meaningful action. As a Person of Color reading this book, I found Robin DiAngelo's words to be incredibly affirming and validating. I felt seen and heard, and also asked myself many of the questions, including how I have internalized racism and anti-blackness, and how I can be a stronger ally and accomplice to my fellow Black and Indigenous People of Color.

Great listen.

Insightful, loaded with food for thought. Challenge ignorance. White supremacy is a social problem.

A must read

Well organized, easy to understand, and provides clear insight for how I can create less pain and more freedom in society.

Woo chile

I was a bit shaky over the, repeated, suggestion of leadership over black people… Until it came back, full circle, in the end

Another honest book from sister Robin.

Essential for all liberal white folks who say and think they are "not racist. "

Excellent and personally challenging!

This book is a deep dive into the habits of nice white people and how they often unconsciously participate in racism. I found myself looking anew at my habits and understanding how I have participated in the harm of our racist society.