White Fragility: Why Understanding Racism Can Be So Hard for White People (Adapted for Young Adults)

Book Information

A reimagining of the best-selling book that gives young adults the tools to ask questions, engage in dialogue, challenge their ways of thinking, and take action to create a more racially just world.
 
“I was taught to treat everyone the same.” “I don’t see color.” “My parents voted for Obama.” When white people have the opportunity to think and talk about race and racism, they more often than not don’t know how.

In this adaptation of Dr. Robin DiAngelo’s best-selling book White Fragility, anti-racist educators Toni Graves Williamson and Ali Michael explain the concept of systemic racism to young adult readers and how to recognize it in themselves and the world around them. Along the way, Williamson and Michael provide tools for taking action to challenge systems of inequity and racism as they move into adulthood. 
 
Throughout the book, readers will find the following:
· A dialogue between the adaptors that models anti-racist discussions
· Definitions of key terms
· Personal stories from this multiracial team
· Discussion prompts to encourage readers to journal their reactions and feelings
· Illustrations to help concepts of white fragility and systemic racism come alive
· Portraits of scholars and activists, including Carol Anderson, Ta-Nehisi Coates, and Ijeoma Oluo, whose work is amplified throughout Dr. DiAngelo’s theory of white fragility.

Challenges & Bans

Challenges to this title often occur within the broader context of the political debate surrounding Critical Race Theory and DEI initiatives in education. The argument is often that the content causes “discomfort” or “guilt” in white students, which some state laws now prohibit.

Several states have passed legislation limiting how teachers can discuss topics related to race, racism, and implicit bias, leading to increased scrutiny of books like DiAngelo’s.

Awards & Accolades

No awards noted.

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