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)

Phenomenal read

This was one of the more powerful books I’ve ever read and I will read it again. Eye opening, revealing and so insightful. Robin is an unbelievable writer and storyteller. Racism is alive and well and this book gives us all the tools to ameliorate it.

important

Every white liberal / progressive should read this book. There is so much we think we understand but don't really.

Excellent Material but Needed better narration

The author framed what I've seen and experienced in workplace and social settings but never tried to articulate. This is an excellent book on the subject. It peels back the layers of the onion of unconscious racism as part of a larger system. The information is presented in a straightforward manner with lots of real life examples to illustrate the points being made. My only complaint is the narration. It is wooden, monotonic, mechanical sounding, and if the material were not so compelling would have been a good reason to stop listening.

Uncomfortable but Necessary

This book was recommended to me by my POC wife of 37 years. I was somewhat resistant to listening, but forced myself to be open to at least starting it. Being a white 58-yr-old male raised in a conservative, mostly white environment, I recognized the ways in which I have behaved with white fragility, even though I considered myself "enlightened" on issues of race as a result of my 40+ yr. interracial relationship and raising 2 bi-racial children to adulthood.

The author's explanation of the black-white binary and the difference between racism and racial insensitivity/predjudice was eye-opening, as was the need for white people to continually educate ourselves on racism and being open to feedback on our missteps.

Partway thru the book, I found myself getting less uncomfortable, but had to check myself when I realized I was starting to pat myself on the back for being more enlightened now than in the past. As the author explains very well, examining the racism that has seeped into me over my entire life requires continual self-examination, openness to being challenged by others and willingness to work hard to change my problematic views and responses.

While the narration was clear and articulate, I had a negative reaction to the tone. It struck me as condescending, although I also examined why, as a male, the vocal tone struck me that way. I have experienced this same discomfort listening to the female-sounding voices of digital assistants by Google and Alexa. Google allows change to a male voice, which eliminates the irritation for me. In the case of this narration, my interest in the subject and strong writing allowed me to get thru the entire book, despite the discomfort of both the subject matter and the narration.

I highly recommend this book for white people who seek greater understanding of racism in America and are willing to challenge their own role in perpetuating it. The author provides valuable insight and encouragement to interrupt this unjust and destructive system.

well written

the author of this book addressed this topic ina palatable manner. however, I say this from the perspective of the unintended audience. I first noticed the book in the black section of a bookstore. I wonder if it will reach its intended audience... I pray it will.

Must read for all white people!

Now, more than ever, we need this book. Want to see change? Start right here.

A necessary read .

a necessary read to stimulate reflection on our whiteness...Do I agree with everything? It doesn't matter because the book is written to make you think.

Great material, Lacking Performance

The book contained great material but the narration was very robotic & "NPR". The author gives you plenty to think about and consider. I saw much of myself in her examples and recognize the tendencies we ALL have as white people. I hope more people will read to fully grasp what white fragility means. As I said, though...the narration was a little cringy. a cross between NPR and a storm warning announcement.

an interesting and stimulating introduction

this informative book truly encourages self-reflection and culturally atypical self-awareness. I strongly recommend this to basically everyone

Eye opening- highly recommended.

I have never bothered to write a review. This book inspired me to do so. It provided the language to explain some ideas that I instinctually knew and a myriad of concepts that I hadn't even considered. If you want to understand yourself and how to help reduce racism, read this.