I've read a lot of critical and negative commentary about White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo.
From White and Black people.
Some themes:
• it's written with circular logic
• it's condescending to Black people
• it's a no-win situation for White people
• it's written in a smug tone
• White people aren't fragile, they're cowardly
I'm not here to argue any of those points. I think they all have a lot of merit. They're all valid.
And, I think the biggest problem with the book is that, because it's so popular and ubiquitous, it becomes the only book that a lot of White people read about racism.
They read this book, maybe understand the main themes but maybe not, maybe agree with some of it but maybe not, maybe are inspired to self-reflect and act but maybe not, maybe join a book club with other people similarly unable or unwilling to fully explore the concepts in the book or maybe not. . .
And that's it. Their antiracism work is over. They read the book, didn't really get it – or really, really got it – and now their racism worldview is unilaterally shaped by one person's perspective.
So, it's not that the book shouldn't be read. It should. There is a lot to learn from it.
And, if you're truly committed to antiracism, reading one book and calling it a day ain't gonna cut it.