Book discussion: "White Fragility: Why It's So Hard For White People to Talk About Racism"

As a Feminist and Sociology minor, I am always seeking out ways to learn about social issues or the events occurring throughout the world that should be discussed. When George Floyd was murdered in May 2020, the Black Lives Matter boomed and gained media coverage. This also sparked posts about All Lives Matter and Blue Lives Matter.

I instantly wanted to learn more about the issues that minorities face and learn more about the topic. Because of this, I picked up the book “White Fragility” by Robin DiAngelo to widen my knowledge and relearn things I may have been taught in my Racial and Ethnic Issues class in college.

Right away readers learn that the author of the book is a white woman, which I was not expecting. A white person talking about race issues? That’s what made it interesting. As a white person myself, I will admit that I do find it uncomfortable to talk about racism at times. Now, if someone says something that is totally 100% not okay, I have no issue on calling them out and telling them not to say stuff like that. But I have also been in a position where I accompanied someone at their WHITE family party and the n word was said like it was nothing. I did bring up how uncomfortable I was at the party with the person afterward, but unfortunately, stayed silent at the moment because I was scared. That is a moment that I could have fought for my black brothers and sisters and I regret that I didn’t, but unfortunately can’t go back to do so. For that, I am sorry.

The book discussed points on how to combat racism, what to do if someone calls you out on being racist, etc. One of the most eye-opening parts for me was the discussion on primarily black vs white neighborhoods. DiAngelo points out that you can be a white person and still be a minority in some places, but you won’t stay that way. That part hit home for me because I experienced that growing up.

I grew up in a highly diverse neighborhood-Niche.com gives it an A+ in diversity. Because of this, I honestly thought that was normal. I was surrounded by every time of being you could think of for 12 years of my life. Then, we moved to a mostly white town-B in diversity. I am white and I still had no idea what to do with being surrounded by so many white people. I literally had to get used to it, I could not even imagine being a minority in that town.

Personally, I would love to raise my kids in a diverse town, so they can learn from other cultures and make friends with people who don’t necessarily look like them. I want my children to be as open-minded and accepting as possible no matter what the outside world wants them to believe.

This book is a must-read for everyone, especially white people who believe that reverse racism exists (yeah, I went there and newsflash, it doesn’t), or on the total other end of the spectrum, the ones who believe you don’t have any racist bone in your body. Everyone has implicit biases, rather you want to think so or not.

Accept your mistakes, broaden your views, and listen to what others have to say.

Thanks for reading,

Elisa Reamer

"There Is absolutely, Positively Nothing That Life Can throw At me That I Cannot handle."-The Fates Will Harmonize For You, RH Fowler