Chapter 1 (pages 7 – 14)
Chapter 2 (pages 15 – 38)
Reading Summary
Chapter 1
This chapter explains that two major challenges of talking to white people about racism are a limited understanding of socialization and a simplistic understanding of racism. White people have been socialized to see that race matters, but not their own race. Specifically, the Western ideologies of individualism and objectivity make it difficult for white people to explore the collective aspects of white experience. Thus, collectively white people do not see themselves in racial terms. Naming race, however, is a critical component of cross-racial skill building and is necessary in order to engage critically with the topic of race. Also, to increase the racial stamina that counters white fragility, white people must reflect on the whole of their identities and the impact of being members of their racial group.
Optional pre-reading question:
Reflect on this quote from the book: “Yet our simplistic definition of racism—as intentional acts of racial discrimination committed by immoral individuals—engenders a confidence that we are not part of the problem and that our learning is thus complete.” (p. 9)
Chapter 2
Chapter 2 outlines key information about racism and white supremacy in the United States. The author emphasizes that race is socially constructed; however, the belief that race and differences associated with it are biological is deep-seated. Race is an evolving social idea that was created to legitimize racial inequality and protect white advantage. Historically and contemporarily, being perceived as white carries legal, political, economic, and social rights and privileges that are denied to others. White supremacy is the overarching political, economic, and social system of domination that describes the culture we live in and that positions whiteness as ideal. Naming white supremacy makes the system visible and shifts the locus of change onto white people, where it belongs. Challenging complicity with and investment in racism is life-long work for white people.
Optional pre-reading question:
Reflect on this quote from the book: “Similarly, racism—like sexism and other forms of oppression—occurs when a racial group’s prejudice is backed by legal authority and institutional control. This authority and control transforms individual prejudices into a far-reaching system that no longer depends on the good intentions of individual actors; it becomes the default of the society and is reproduced automatically.” (p. 21)
Supplemental Resources (2 Videos)
Discussion Questions for Next Session:
Did you discover anything about some of the ways in which your race has shaped your life?
For example:
How racially diverse was your neighborhood growing up?
How often have you had a teacher or professor of your own race(s)?
How often have you been to a wedding that was either all or virtually all white?
How often have you been to a funeral that was virtually all white?
What came up for you in reading Robin DiAngelo’s descriptions of race and racism?
What was your reaction to seeing the statistics, either in the reading (p. 31) or the supplemental video, about the extent to which white people control major institutions?
What does Robin DiAngelo’s reframing of Jackie Robinson as “the first black man whites allowed to play major-league baseball” (p. 26) bring up for you?
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