What Is White Fragility?

White fragility is the defensive response that many white people have when confronted with discussions or criticisms of racism and their own racial privilege. It was first used in the book titled White Fragility involves discomfort, defensiveness, and an unwillingness to engage in meaningful dialogue or reflection.

Explanation:

White fragility is a phrase coined by sociologist Robin DiAngelo in her book titled White Fragility: "Why It's So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism." It refers to the defensive reactions, discomfort, and resistance exhibited by white individuals when confronted with discussions and challenges regarding race and racism. White fragility reflects the inherent difficulty white people experience in acknowledging, understanding, and addressing the impact of racism, both personally and systemically. One of the primary characteristics of white fragility is defensiveness. When faced with discussions about racism, white individuals often become defensive as they perceive it as a personal criticism or attack on their character, rather than an examination of systemic inequality.

Was this helpful?