White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo
RECOMMENDED DISCUSSION PRINCIPLES
Keep the following principles in mind.
1. A strong opinion is not the same as informed knowledge.
2. There is a difference between agreement and understanding. When discussing complex social and institutional dynamics such as racism, consider whether "I don’t agree" may actually mean "I don’t understand."
3. We have a deep interest in denying the forms of oppression that benefit us.
4. Racism goes beyond individual intentions to collective group patterns.
5. We don’t have to be aware of racism in order for it to exist.
6. Our racial position (whether we identify as white, a person of color, or multiracial) will greatly affect our ability to see racism. For example, if we swim against the "current" of racial privilege, it’s often easier to recognize, while it’s harder to recognize if we swim with the current.
7. Putting our effort into protecting rather than expanding our current worldview prevents our intellectual and emotional growth.
Discussion Questions for White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo
- Was there a moment when you recognized yourself in one of the chapters?
- What was your reaction, if any, when you read some issues raised by Black people such as being asked why they are in a certain neighborhood, or being accused of shop lifting and followed when in a store, or feeling frightened when they see a police car behind them on the road? Have you ever had those same feelings?
- Have you heard white people try to change the subject by saying things like “all lives matter” in order not to feel uncomfortable in a discussion about race?
- In what ways do you experience white supremacy in your life experience?
- Have you ever witnessed “white women’s tears”?
