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Reinventing Racism: Why “White Fragility” Is the Wrong Way to Think About Racial Inequality
The theory of white fragility is one of the most influential ideas to emerge in recent years on the topics of race, racism, and racial inequality. White fragility is defined as an unwillingness on the part of white people to engage in the difficult conversations necessary to address racial inequality. This "fragility" allegedly undermines the fight against racial inequality.
Despite its wide acclaim and rapid acceptance, the theory of white fragility has received no serious and sustained scrutiny. This book argues that the theory is flawed on numerous fronts. The theory functions as a divisive rhetorical device to shut down debate. It relies on the flawed premise of implicit bias. It posits a faulty way of understanding racism. It has serious methodological problems. It conflates objectivity and neutrality. It exploits narrative at the expense of facts. It distorts many of the ideas upon which the theory relies.
This book also offers a more constructive way to think about Whiteness, white privilege, and "white fragility," pointing us to a more promising vision for addressing racial inequality.
Despite its wide acclaim and rapid acceptance, the theory of white fragility has received no serious and sustained scrutiny. This book argues that the theory is flawed on numerous fronts. The theory functions as a divisive rhetorical device to shut down debate. It relies on the flawed premise of implicit bias. It posits a faulty way of understanding racism. It has serious methodological problems. It conflates objectivity and neutrality. It exploits narrative at the expense of facts. It distorts many of the ideas upon which the theory relies.
This book also offers a more constructive way to think about Whiteness, white privilege, and "white fragility," pointing us to a more promising vision for addressing racial inequality.
- GenresNonfiction
299 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 3, 2020
13 people are currently reading
96 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
May 27, 2021
The amount of time and focus the authors spends trying to rewrite the ideas on white fragility show me that he is, in fact, suffering from white fragility. To pick apart and deconstruct a major theme that keeps momentum toward social justice is not a helpful tool for helping others come to the table. His attempts to pivot conversation by taking issue with language is exactly the kind of thing that trips up positive change in society. May his words be forgotten.
April 5, 2023
This is honestly just …sad?
Picking and choosing pieces of ideas (and honestly cutting out what didn’t fit his narrative) without either: 1. Fully reading what he referenced
or, worse
2. Knowingly and maliciously omitting information added what fit his “idea” (because that’s all it is: his idea)
This is a book that people read to comfort their discomfort when race (or as they are choosing to put it “identity politics”—despite you know DOCUMENTED EVIDENCE IN GOVERNMENT POLICY THAT HAS BARRED PEOPLE IF COLOR FROM MOST OF THE ACCESS WHITE PEOPLE HAVE HAD).
The irony sadly is lost in Church. That or he’s a little bit starved for attention.
I also was curious about what others who read this were reading. The 4 and 5 star reviewers were on brand—and my God it’s telling.
If you were looking for confirmation bias this is the book for you.
If you were looking for something well researched, vetted and looking to gain more knowledge just to have more sources: well, this won’t be it.
Save your eyes for something (ANYTHING) else.
Picking and choosing pieces of ideas (and honestly cutting out what didn’t fit his narrative) without either: 1. Fully reading what he referenced
or, worse
2. Knowingly and maliciously omitting information added what fit his “idea” (because that’s all it is: his idea)
This is a book that people read to comfort their discomfort when race (or as they are choosing to put it “identity politics”—despite you know DOCUMENTED EVIDENCE IN GOVERNMENT POLICY THAT HAS BARRED PEOPLE IF COLOR FROM MOST OF THE ACCESS WHITE PEOPLE HAVE HAD).
The irony sadly is lost in Church. That or he’s a little bit starved for attention.
I also was curious about what others who read this were reading. The 4 and 5 star reviewers were on brand—and my God it’s telling.
If you were looking for confirmation bias this is the book for you.
If you were looking for something well researched, vetted and looking to gain more knowledge just to have more sources: well, this won’t be it.
Save your eyes for something (ANYTHING) else.
July 3, 2024
This is not an “easy” read, as it contains much repetition, logic, and philosophy. However, I must say that the author nailed some issues I had with DiAngelo’s theory and book. As a researcher myself, I find it troubling when other “researchers” do not identify possible confounders in their study. I feel this author (Church) has identified confounders and sample size issues not properly identified by DiAngelo herself. I do not normally write reviews, but in this case, I felt it important to present another viewpoint. DiAngelo is dogmatic in the assertion of her theory and leaves no room for anyone to disagree with her. This seems too akin to “bullying” for me. For others who have reviewed this book negatively (one star) and made certain assertions about those of us who do not assign it one star - you are very comfortable in writing us off as being examples of white fragility. As a person whose daily job is centered in equity and belonging - yet a person who also felt like DiAngelo’s theory was troubling, this book helped me to articulate some of my concerns. If you are not intimidated by reading a viewpoint criticizing the methodology of the research supporting the theory of White Fragility, then this is a book for you to read. The arguments are valid to consider.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews