Research Guides: Racism: White Fragility

White Fragility - Definition

White Fragility is a state in which even a minimum amount of racial stress becomes intolerable, triggering a range of defensive moves. These moves include the outward display of emotions such as anger, fear, and guilt, and behaviors such as argumentation, silence, and leaving the stress-inducing situation.

- Robin DiAngelo

White Privilege - Definition

White privilege refers to the unquestioned and unearned set of advantages, entitlements, benefits and choices bestowed on people solely because they are white. Generally white people who experience such privilege do so without being conscious of it.

- Community Anti-Racism Education Initiative (C.A.R.E.)

Useful Links

Robin DiAngelo Discusses "White Fragility"

University of Washington professor Dr. Robin DiAngelo reads from her book "White Fragility: Why It's So Hard for White People to Talk about RAcism." explains the phenomenon, and discusses how white people can develop their capacity to engage more constructively across race.

Tim Wise: On White Privilege (Clip)

Expertly overcoming the defensiveness that often surrounds these issues, Wise provides a non-confrontational explanation of white privilege and the damage it does not only to people of color, but to white people as well.

Learn more about Tim Wise.

How Racist Are You? - Jane Elliott's Blue Eyes/Brown Eyes Exercise

For 40 years Jane Elliott (A Class Divided) has been running an exercise that has ignited controversy around the world. She says it lays bare the hidden truth about racism in white societies. Many disagree, some vehemently. She's about to divide this group. Her aim: Simulate a racist apartheid style regime. Does it reveal that we're all more racist than we'd like to admit? How Racist Are You? is a documentary investigating one of the most taboo subjects in society.

Learn more about Jane Elliot and the Blue Eyes/Brown Eyes exercise.

James Corden Gets a Lesson on White Privilege

As James Corden shares ways people can help in the fight against racial injustice and inequality in the United States, one of his writers, Olivia Harewood explains how Jame's inherited priviledge is a tool he and other white people can use for good.