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midici's review
4.0
As can be expected from the title, "White Fragility" was a bit of a difficult read, in that it tackles a lot of necessary but uncomfortable topics. As a white person, I am definitely the target audience for this book.
Robin Diangelo does a good job of going in depth and providing clear explanations on the concepts surrounding white fragility. I don't want to paraphrase her too much; but the core concepts are basically that we, as white people, have a very difficult time talking about racism, and our refusal to deal with the topic and our inability to face our complicity in systematic racism is a barrier to real change and growth as a society.
The status quo is not equal; if we are passively accepting the system then we are accepting the inequality it perpetuates. To be anti-racist is to be actively working against an unjust system. If you're not sure how you feature into this system, the good news is you can read this book and have a good idea of where to start.
And this is a sort of starter book - there's a lot of research and literature available on this topic (nonfiction and fiction alike) and the main take away is that one of the first steps is to be aware and to take steps to be anti-racist.
As Diangelo put it, white people need to "break with the apathy of whiteness and demonstrate that you care enough to put in the effort."
Robin Diangelo does a good job of going in depth and providing clear explanations on the concepts surrounding white fragility. I don't want to paraphrase her too much; but the core concepts are basically that we, as white people, have a very difficult time talking about racism, and our refusal to deal with the topic and our inability to face our complicity in systematic racism is a barrier to real change and growth as a society.
The status quo is not equal; if we are passively accepting the system then we are accepting the inequality it perpetuates. To be anti-racist is to be actively working against an unjust system. If you're not sure how you feature into this system, the good news is you can read this book and have a good idea of where to start.
And this is a sort of starter book - there's a lot of research and literature available on this topic (nonfiction and fiction alike) and the main take away is that one of the first steps is to be aware and to take steps to be anti-racist.
As Diangelo put it, white people need to "break with the apathy of whiteness and demonstrate that you care enough to put in the effort."
confettikate's review against another edition
challenging
informative
inspiring
slow-paced
abigail__lyn's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
This is a must read. I'll be recommending to all my friends and family. She lays out very simply what a lot of us already know, but are too ashamed to admit about how white people uphold the racial hierarchy without having to even mention race directly.
kebreads's review
4.0
I found this book very helpful. I learned a lot from it. It is definitely a book I will be rereading in the future.
janagaton's review
5.0
I learned SO much. Everyone needs to read this. As a white author, Robin DiAngelo does an incredible job of admitting to her faults and seeing/explaining racism from several perspectives with countless examples to further elaborate in a more comprehensive way. There are many instances where you, as a reader, will question yourself and your reactions to certain situations. I'm really glad I picked this one up, and I would recommend it to anyone willing to educate themselves on racism, as they should be.
anawalt's review against another edition
5.0
I am white and consider myself a progressive. I think some part of me assumed this meant I am racially open...? A recent article from our ex-mayor stating that liberals blocked development and opportunities for equality in our very city left me confused. Was she talking about the correct group?
This book was a much needed kick in the face. I read it slowly, put it down just to return repeatedly, and found myself in knots. Acknowledging and accepting that racism is inevitable is uncomfortable (I almost said painful
This book was a much needed kick in the face. I read it slowly, put it down just to return repeatedly, and found myself in knots. Acknowledging and accepting that racism is inevitable is uncomfortable (I almost said painful
simonmartin's review
1.0
dnf. the writing is tedious and repetitive, so i skimmed through to get the gist of this book’s argument, which is repulsive and similarly tedious
diangelo is a white diversity consultant that is brought into workplaces to do “anti-racism seminars”, yet does not consider the social structures and power dynamics that exist in workplaces which make it a less than ideal place to confront racism in yourself, and particularly make it a
dangerous and/or tedious experience for those that are targets of racism. she offers no form of anti-racist action one can take beyond performative self flagellation, listening, reflection and education - perhaps by buying her book and attending the seminars she is paid to run?
zizek argues that a hallmark of capitalist ideology is the overvaluing of belief - if i believe the right things, then i am free to continue to do the bad things because i know and believe that it is wrong. this is diangelo and neoliberalism’s approach to racism - i understand that as i am white, i am racist, and will always be racist because society is racist, and thus i of course have to continue to accept racism because it is the only system i have ever known and i can not fathom an alternative besides buying the books and listening to the correct opinions and apologising to POC. this interpassivity completely undermines any capacity to organise, respond, or imagine an alternative way of organising society that excludes racist belief. to quote j.c. pan’s incredible article on this book in the new republic, “self-reflection is ultimately a much easier undertaking than working to build a durable political coalition.”
diangelo is a white diversity consultant that is brought into workplaces to do “anti-racism seminars”, yet does not consider the social structures and power dynamics that exist in workplaces which make it a less than ideal place to confront racism in yourself, and particularly make it a
dangerous and/or tedious experience for those that are targets of racism. she offers no form of anti-racist action one can take beyond performative self flagellation, listening, reflection and education - perhaps by buying her book and attending the seminars she is paid to run?
zizek argues that a hallmark of capitalist ideology is the overvaluing of belief - if i believe the right things, then i am free to continue to do the bad things because i know and believe that it is wrong. this is diangelo and neoliberalism’s approach to racism - i understand that as i am white, i am racist, and will always be racist because society is racist, and thus i of course have to continue to accept racism because it is the only system i have ever known and i can not fathom an alternative besides buying the books and listening to the correct opinions and apologising to POC. this interpassivity completely undermines any capacity to organise, respond, or imagine an alternative way of organising society that excludes racist belief. to quote j.c. pan’s incredible article on this book in the new republic, “self-reflection is ultimately a much easier undertaking than working to build a durable political coalition.”