A lecturer on racial and social justice in the United States of America [US] for more than 20 years, DiAngelo summarises her work in this field in her book ‘White fragility why it’s so hard for white people to talk about racism’ [White Fragility].
In White Fragility DiAngelo predominately explores racism with reference to her base in the US, often using an African American-White American racial comparative frame in the shared scenarios. The term “white fragility” describes the responses and reactions that people of white heritage may display when their assumptions about race are challenged.
As an education academic, Diangelo provides definitions of terms, descriptions of behaviours and narrative tales throughout the book and provides an extensive reference list in support. However, the book is not presented in a ‘textbook’ writing style. The content may be challenging but the writing style is not. Nonetheless, White Fragility makes for an uncomfortable read. I highly recommend you read this book in small sections over a period of time so you can reflect on the messages and gain a deeper understanding of how similar situations may present, be enacted and translated in your world.
Undoubtedly White Fragility seeks to provoke uncomfortable conversations around racial attitudes and behaviours. DiAngelo describes racism as individual acts of intentional meanness. I don’t think any of us set out to be intentionally mean. But it’s not pleasant when our worldview is disrupted and familiar social cues, behaviours and personal viewpoints are examined and found wanting. However, from this space of awareness people can then reflect on how to enact change.
If White Fragility sets out to challenge our status quo – it achieves this goal. This might not be a place where we seek to be, but as educators, we need to be. As the New Zealand education system (finally!) begins a journey towards Mana Ōrite mō te mātauranga Māori – equal status and recognition for the realm of Māori knowledge in education - these conversations are ones that New Zealand teachers need to have.
If you are interested in taking some initial steps on this journey, and wish to self-check yourself and your attitudes towards white privilege, social justice and un-biased behaviours in the classroom, this book at just over 150 pages, while not an easy read, provides a great place to start this self-reflective journey.
- Dr Wendy Slatter