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Is white fragility real? Is white fragility real?
Yes, white fragility is real Yes, white fragility is real
No, white fragility does not exist No, white fragility does not exist
White fragility looks at how white people become defensive when racism is discussed White fragility looks at how white people become defensive when racism is discussed
White fragility highlights that only non-whites are "raced" White fragility highlights that only non-whites are "raced"
White fragility exposes how white people are established as perfectly privileged and socialized to think they are superior White fragility exposes how white people are established as perfectly privileged and socialized to think they are superior
White fragility promotes ending racism through open dialogue White fragility promotes ending racism through open dialogue
White fragility is a racist concept White fragility is a racist concept
White Fragility has an epistemological problem White Fragility has an epistemological problem
White fragility prevents meaningful dialogue White fragility prevents meaningful dialogue
White fragility typifies Social Justice Warrior fragility White fragility typifies Social Justice Warrior fragility
White fragility patronises Black people White fragility patronises Black people
White fragility is white supremacy White fragility is white supremacy
If race is a construct, white fragility cannot exist If race is a construct, white fragility cannot exist
The white fragility focus on white guilt oversimplifies a very complex debate The white fragility focus on white guilt oversimplifies a very complex debate
White fragility fails to acknowledge that racism is collective, not individual White fragility fails to acknowledge that racism is collective, not individual
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Is white fragility real?
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No, white fragility does not exist

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White fragility patronises Black people

The theory asks white people for a level of racial sensitivity that demeans and dehumanizes black people. It suggests that they must be treated like children, and acts in opposition to black empowerment.
John McWhorter
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The Argument

The idea of white fragility is patronizing to Black people. By acknowledging white fragility, white people can become patronizing and hyper-aware of their interactions with other people, which only perpetuates differences and tense race relations.[1] White fragility does not empower Black people, but makes white people treat them as children with extreme care and sensitivity, instead of equal humans. [2] White fragility promotes racism by separating white people further from non-whites and making dialogue between races something that people fear. For example, white fragility claims that white people will never be able to overcome their biases and that they should keep silent and not communicate their grievances because Black people have it worse. White fragility is an excuse for white people to dehumanize and treat Black people as lesser than themselves through patronization or condescension. It can also be an excuse for white people to not have conversations with Black people at all. [1] White fragility does not empower Black people and allows white people to continue dehumanizing and upholding the systemic racism that creates barriers and hardships to Black people.

Counter arguments

White fragility is real and forces white people to acknowledge their own privileges and biases in order to be more empathetic. Understanding white privilege and the embedded nature of white supremacy in the United States will help bring an end to systemic racism and the dehumanization of Black people. [3] Furthermore, the concept of white fragility allows for more open dialogue between white and Black people, which is beneficial to strengthening interpersonal relationships and ending racism. White fragility is real and a concept that forces white people to evaluate their own privilege and biases so they can lift up Black people and empower them by using white privilege to promote change for Black people.

Proponents

Premises

Rejecting the premises

References

  1. https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/07/dehumanizing-condescension-white-fragility/614146/
  2. https://www.foxnews.com/media/john-mcwhorter-white-fragility-robin-diangelo-atlantic
  3. https://www.tolerance.org/magazine/fall-2018/what-is-white-privilege-really

In the Wild

This page was last edited on Monday, 21 Sep 2020 at 19:02 UTC

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