Robin DiAngelo

Definition

Robin DiAngelo is an American author and educator best known for her work on race, racism, and white privilege. Her influential book, 'White Fragility,' explores how white people often react defensively when their racial biases are confronted, which can hinder productive conversations about race. DiAngelo's work emphasizes the importance of understanding systemic racism and recognizing how white privilege operates in society.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. DiAngelo highlights that white people often possess a lack of awareness about their own privilege, which can lead to misunderstanding and resistance in discussions about race.
2. Her concept of 'white fragility' serves as a lens to analyze how discomfort with race discussions can prevent meaningful dialogue and progress.
3. DiAngelo argues that acknowledging white privilege is essential for white individuals to engage in anti-racist work effectively.
4. She encourages people to examine their socialization in a racially stratified society and how it shapes their perspectives on race.
5. DiAngelo's work has sparked widespread discussions and debates around race, privilege, and the responsibilities of white individuals in addressing systemic racism.

Review Questions

• How does Robin DiAngelo define 'white fragility,' and what are its implications for conversations about race?
  • 'White fragility' is defined by DiAngelo as the defensive responses that many white people exhibit when their racial beliefs or behaviors are challenged. This defensiveness can manifest as anger, denial, or withdrawal, which ultimately disrupts constructive dialogue about race. The implications are significant, as such reactions can prevent deeper understanding of racial issues and hinder efforts toward anti-racism.
• Analyze the connection between DiAngelo's concept of white privilege and the systemic nature of racism in society.
  • DiAngelo's notion of white privilege underscores how societal structures benefit white individuals at the expense of people of color. This privilege manifests in various aspects of life, including access to education, employment opportunities, and legal protections. By recognizing this systemic advantage, individuals can better understand their role in perpetuating inequality and take steps toward addressing these imbalances.
• Evaluate the impact of Robin DiAngelo's work on public discourse regarding race and the responses it has elicited from various communities.
  • DiAngelo's work has significantly influenced public discourse on race, particularly by bringing attention to uncomfortable truths about white privilege and systemic racism. Her ideas have led to both support and backlash from different communities; some embrace her call for accountability and reflection, while others push back against perceived accusations of guilt or complicity. This polarized response highlights the complexities of discussing race in contemporary society and underscores the need for ongoing dialogue around these critical issues.

Related terms

White Fragility: A term coined by DiAngelo that describes the defensive reactions many white people have when their racial identities or behaviors are challenged.

Critical Race Theory: An academic framework that examines the relationship between race, law, and power, and challenges the ways in which racial inequality is maintained in society.

Implicit Bias: Unconscious attitudes or stereotypes that affect our understanding, actions, and decisions regarding race and other social categories.