28. White Fragility by Robin Diangelo

I heard this book so lambasted in some circles that I thought I should read it. It is not so bad after all. I found it contributes value to the dialogue. I looked at her website, and the summary of her approach in her workshops sums up the book. So I am cutting and pasting it here. 

I take an anti-racist approach. An anti-racist approach rests upon these basic tenets:

• Racism is the foundation of Western society; we are socialized into a racial hierarchy
• All of us are shaped by the forces of racism; no one is exempt
• All white people benefit from the racial hierarchy, regardless of intentions
• No one chose to be socialized into racism (so no one is “bad”)
• Racism must be continually identified, analyzed and challenged; no one is ever done
• The question is not if racism is at play, but how is it at play?
• The racial hierarchy is invisible and taken for granted for most white people

My work seeks to make racism more visible so that it can be challenged. In recognition of the above tenets, I make sure to (1) set a constructive climate for grappling with sensitive issues through role-modeling and use of self, (2) take into account the groups’ racial diversity and how that impacts the group’s dynamics, (3) balance the intellectual with the emotional components of learning, and (4) make continuing learning resources available. In addition to content knowledge, my expertise is in clearly and accessibly presenting information that is politically and emotionally charged. My primary objective is to deepen cross-racial skills and relationships and build the commitment and capacity to continue working towards racial justice.

Objectives

• Provide a shared framework for differentiating between prejudice, discrimination, and systematic racism
• Understand the basic dynamics of current race relations in the U.S.
• Examine the concept of whiteness and white racial socialization
• Identify and make everyday patterns of whiteness recognizable
• Recognize common barriers to bridging racial divides and introduce the skills necessary for bridging them
• Recognize the above as an on-going process and build motivation to continue
• Identify resources for supporting the work of racial equity