General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsI'm in a book club, we're reading "White Fragility" by Robin DiAngelo
I just finished chapter 1 (after reading Michael Eric Dyson's foreword, and the introduction).
Wow.
It's only Chapter 1 (and the introductory material) but what an amazingly accurate portrayal of what I see being enacted out loud and in real time since George Floyd's murder.
On edit: maybe it would be more accurate to say this behavior has become more explicit since November 2016.
I highly recommend this book to both white people and POC and BIPOC
Reading the reviews on Amazon is also an amazing display of white fragility.
JonLP24
(29,322 posts)I thought about starting a topic here but I figured it would be the same problem on Twitter -- people that never read the book commenting on it. I never read the book so I don't have an opinion other than a lot of the criticisms seems to prove the point of the book. This is a bigger discussion on Twitter than DU.
For background
https://taibbi.substack.com/p/on-white-fragility?r=7g0ku&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&utm_source=twitter
FTR Taibbi has been losing me in recent weeks as well as the show Rising.
I wanted to know people's thoughts on his criticisms.
Coventina
(27,223 posts)(I just want to know if I want to listen to it tonight or wait until tomorrow).
JonLP24
(29,322 posts)Which is probably quicker. The video is just him expanding his thoughts on the article. The video is 9 minutes.
I'm interested in people that read that book and what they think.
Coventina
(27,223 posts)I started reading the article carefully, and quickly came to the conclusion that in order to be fair to both parties, I will have to complete "White Fragility" - or at least read the sections from which he pulls his quotes.
Once I am able to do that, I will let you know! I will bookmark your post to remind myself!
underpants
(182,988 posts)I saw the Fragility author on Fallon and wasnt impressed. It sounded like mental soft serve.
MuseRider
(34,136 posts)Right now I am just starting White Trash. Apparently Rev. Al Sharpton put out a list. I cannot remember who I got if from on Facebook, one of my activist friends who I highly respect, but that was the first of maybe 5 books on the list.
tulipsandroses
(5,131 posts)Predictably someone responded All white people are not fragile Thus making the point of the complete title- Why is it so hard for white people to talk about racism?
Coventina
(27,223 posts)Withywindle
(9,988 posts)I feel that after a while it started to feel repetitive and not quite really getting to the heart of the matter? It's definitely good for helping people realize some things, and as a white writer, she can definitely reach some white people in a way that, sadly a POC might not.
Another one I liked even better is So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35099718-so-you-want-to-talk-about-race
A Black writer (with a white mother and she talks a lot about mixed-race families and the alienation racism can bring even between people who love each other) pulling no punches but still assuming good faith from white readers.
I've been reading them together and the combination is excellent.
Horse with no Name
(33,958 posts)I just bought the book but havent had time to read yet.
cilla4progress
(24,791 posts)Begin Again, reinspiring James Baldwin! Audiobook. Gentle soul