Why do white men clam up when conversations steer toward race? Why are white women prone to crying when discussing this topic (and how can those tears …
Why do white men clam up when conversations steer toward race? Why are white women prone to crying when discussing this topic (and how can those tears silence women of color)? Why do some leaders feel uncomfortable and reluctant to get feedback on how their actions and behaviors are perceived?
If these sound like familiar reactions—or how you respond yourself—to conversations around race, you’re not alone.
I’ve been doing more reading on this as of late. I think it is a powerful moment as DiAngelo identifies this feeling and perspective.
There’s a term for this type of defensive reaction, and it’s called white fragility.
Inherent biases are discomforting and problematic, but it shouldn’t be a problem to acknowledge and address they exist. White fragility shapes American culture and society—in ways both obvious and unconscious.
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