Week One Readings and Videos

Welcome to the West Hill summer book study on, "White Fragility; Why it's so Hard for White People to Talk about Racism." 

The program and questions we will be using were graciously given to us by The Pachamama Alliance organization, with whom Deb did this book study last winter.  They describe their purpose this way: 

Purpose

Pachamama Alliance, empowered by our partnership with indigenous people, is dedicated to bringing forth an environmentally sustainable, spiritually fulfilling, socially just human presence on this planet.

Our unique contribution is to generate and engage people everywhere in transformational conversations and experiences consistent with this purpose. We weave together indigenous and modern worldviews such that human beings are in touch with their dignity and are ennobled by the magnificence, mystery, and opportunity of what is possible for humanity at this time.

We are here to inspire and galvanize the human family to generate a critical mass of conscious commitment to a thriving, just and sustainable way of life on Earth. This is a commitment to transforming human systems and structures that separate us, and to transforming our relationships with ourselves, with one another, and with the natural world.

If you are interested in learning more about them, click here:

Pachamama Alliance: https://www.pachamama.org

After each session, the following week's readings, questions, and any supplemental resources (e.g., videos) will be posted here on the blog.   

Week One Readings and Videos

Author’s Note (pages xiii – xvii)

Introduction (pages 1 – 5)

Introduction

In the introduction, the author explains that North Americans live in a society that is deeply separate and unequal by race, that white people are socialized into a deeply internalized sense of racial superiority, and that conversations about race often challenge a white person’s sense of identity. The author, focusing on white progressives, explains that the book will define “white fragility,” discuss how it develops, how it protects racial inequality, and what can be done to overcome it.

Optional pre-reading questions:

• What is your previous experience discussing race and racism?
• Why have you decided to read and discuss this book?
• What questions do you have prior to reading?

Supplemental Resources: 2 short videos

White Fragility Welcome and Introduction


Stretch Zone and Compass of Reactions