Faculty book discussion: ‘White Fragility’ by Robin DiAngelo
The Office of Faculty Development will host a book discussion of “White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism” by Robin DiAngelo.
The New York Times best-selling book exploring the counterproductive reactions white people have when their assumptions about race are challenged, and how these reactions maintain racial inequality.
In this “vital, necessary, and beautiful book” (Michael Eric Dyson), antiracist educator Robin DiAngelo deftly illuminates the phenomenon of white fragility and “allows us to understand racism as a practice not restricted to ‘bad people’” (Claudia Rankine).
Referring to the defensive moves that white people make when challenged racially, white fragility is characterized by emotions such as anger, fear and guilt, and by behaviors including argumentation and silence. These behaviors, in turn, function to reinstate white racial equilibrium and prevent any meaningful cross-racial dialogue.
In this in-depth exploration, DiAngelo examines how white fragility develops, how it protects racial inequality and what we can do to engage more constructively.
Discussion led by:
Brian Zink, M.D., senior associate dean for faculty and faculty development
Date: Monday, July 13
Time: 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Location: Held online – Link will be sent after registration
Space is limited – make your reservation early! A copy of the book will be provided in advance.
This workshop is hosted by the Office of Faculty Development and is intended for faculty. If you are a person with a disability who requires an accommodation to attend this workshop or have questions about accessibility, please contact us at UMMS-Faculty-Development@med.umich.edu.
Website: https://faculty.medicine.umich.edu/workshops/book-discussion-white-fragility-robin-diangelo
