White fragility

[Trade]

This is an interesting theory of why so many white people are in denial about racism.


https://www.newyorker.com/books/pag...vents-white-americans-from-confronting-racism

In more than twenty years of running diversity-training and cultural-competency workshops for American companies, the academic and educator Robin DiAngelo has noticed that white people are sensationally, histrionically bad at discussing racism. Like waves on sand, their reactions form predictable patterns: they will insist that they “were taught to treat everyone the same,” that they are “color-blind,” that they “don’t care if you are pink, purple, or polka-dotted.” They will point to friends and family members of color, a history of civil-rights activism, or a more “salient” issue, such as class or gender. They will shout and bluster. They will cry. In 2011, DiAngelo coined the term “white fragility” to describe the disbelieving defensiveness that white people exhibit when their ideas about race and racism are challenged—and particularly when they feel implicated in white supremacy. Why, she wondered, did her feedback prompt such resistance, as if the mention of racism were more offensive than the fact or practice of it?
In a new book, “White Fragility,” DiAngelo attempts to explicate the phenomenon of white people’s paper-thin skin. She argues that our largely segregated society is set up to insulate whites from racial discomfort, so that they fall to pieces at the first application of stress—such as, for instance, when someone suggests that “flesh-toned” may not be an appropriate name for a beige crayon. Unused to unpleasantness (more than unused to it—racial hierarchies tell white people that they are entitled to peace and deference), they lack the “racial stamina” to engage in difficult conversations. This leads them to respond to “racial triggers”—the show “Dear White People,” the term “wypipo”—with “emotions such as anger, fear and guilt,” DiAngelo writes, “and behaviors such as argumentation, silence, and withdrawal from the stress-inducing situation.”

https://www.newyorker.com/books/pag...vents-white-americans-from-confronting-racism

 

[Warrigal]

Segregation of any kind, whether it be by design or the consequence of financial inequality, does not serve any society well. We need to rub up against each other if we are ever to understand each other. We need to understand each other's circumstances, histories, ways of thinking and only then can we develop genuine empathy.

 

[Aunt Bea]

I don't see it as an explanation I see it as a theory or an opinion.

 

[Trade]

I don't see it as an explanation I see it as a theory.

OK, I edited it to read "theory" instead of "explanation".

 

[MeAgain]

Nobody here will benefit from this argument, it is political.

 

[applecruncher]

that they “don’t care if you are pink, purple, or polka-dotted.”

Very common, heard it a lot.

 

[rgp]

I don't see it as an explanation I see it as a theory.

Exactly, we as a society segregate all the time. We tend to gather with our own, in almost all manor. Economic level / income earned, ethnicity, color & so-on. Even personal pursuits, hunting, fishing,golf, etc. We tend to gather together. But so many will deny it.

In & of itself, segregation is not a bad thing, it is human nature. The bad starts when harm/crime starts against the "others" .

For example, I don't mix much with people of color, or homosexuals.....But I would never harm them singularly or collectively . If they are law abiding tax paying citizens [as am I] then they have every right to whatever I every right to...........jmo

 

[AZ Jim]

RPG.....No offense but in two posts now you have used "Manor" when you mean Manner". Manor is a large house with land. I hope you understand I'm just trying to help. No harm, no foul.