i always knew i had to educate myself better on race and racism. after all, i am a white woman living in luxembourg. that story of privilege kind of writes itself.
however, i always saw myself as ‘removed’ from the problem because i aim to be a kind and open-minded person who worked hard on her bsc in social psychology. how could little innocent me, full of good intentions, be part of the problem?
well, as it turns out, after reading ‘white fragility’ by robin diangelo, the more appropriate question is: how could i ever think i wasn’t part of the problem?
in my opinion, there are two key takeaways from this book, which is first and foremost aimed at white people living in western societies:
- racism is not an ‘either / or’ binary but rather a continuum. since racism is a societal issue and we all make up society together, it is inevitable that we absorb some (or more) of it from the moment we are born. we all do, to some extent.
- the real challenge is to accept and grapple with this truth. to not see yourself as above or separate from it. to resist the urge to be defensive, to push back, or to come up with reasons why you are different and why this truth does not apply to you.
btw, this set of behaviours is what she refers to as ‘white fragility’.
the most interesting part of this book, however, is that while diangelo describes white fragility in a not-too-dense prose, she simultaneously engages with and challenges the reader’s inevitable white fragility.
it’s subtle, but it feels like diangelo anticipated many of my thoughts, feelings, and gut reactions, incorporating them into her writing and creating a very engaging experience.
i realised that i am no different from the many people who have participated in her workshops in the past and the many who will hopefully do so in the future.
as i continue my education, i can only hope to hold on to these lessons and the discomfort that comes with them, keeping them in my awareness and letting them guide me to challenge white fragility around me.
