Bibliographic Information:
Title: White Fragility: Why Understanding Racism Can Be So Hard For White People - Adapted for Young Adults
Authors: Robin DiAngelo, Toni Graves Williamson, Ali Michael
ISBN: 9780807016091
Publisher: Beacon Press, Boston, Massachusetts
Copyright Date: 2022
Genre: Nonfiction
Format: Print Book/eBook
Awards/Honors: None as of this post
Reading Level/Interest Level: Ages 14+
Plot Summary:
White Fragility explains systemic racism to young adults, how it came to be, and how it continues to be prevalent today. The book calls for young adults to recognize systemic racism both within themselves as well as in the world around them, both politically and socially. The novel comprises definitions of key terms, first hand experiences, studies done on racism, historical lessons, how to be part of anti-racist discussions, and how to recognize racism even in its most passive form. The plot is not some big adventure in a faraway land: it is about the daily struggles of many people in the current world.
Author Background:
Robin DiAngelo is a PhD holding author and professor who specializes in Whiteness Studies and Critical Discourse Analysis. While she has authored many books and articles, White Fragility is easily her bestselling novel, having been published in thirteen different languages and adapted for younger audiences. Having grown up poor she understood the differences between classes plainly, but she did not realize the privilege she experienced as a white woman in general until a question in a class was posed to her to self-reflect. This led to the article about white fragility that later became the book (Robin DiAngelo - About Me).
Toni Graves Williamson was one of the adapters of White Fragility for young adults. Williamson is a diversity practitioner and consultant who is currently serving as Director of Equity and Inclusion at Friends Select School in Philadelphia. She works with other groups to help with equity and inclusion in the school place, as well as facilitating these discussions among school administrators (Beacon Press).
Ali Michael is currently the Co-Director for the Race Institute for K-12 Educators, working with schools across the country to research race, whiteness, and education about those topics more accessible to teachers. Having written many of her own books, Michael worked to adapt White Fragility with Williamson to make the novel more accessible to teenagers. Although her degree is in education, Michael did not want to be a full time teacher but rather work with educators to improve classrooms (Ali Michael. About.).
Critical Evaluation:
With the adaptation for young adults new components of the book were included: illustrations of key political figures, discussion questions, and ideas for journaling while reading the book. I think these additions would be good for the adult version as well: they call on the reader to do a self inventory of their own ideas towards race and examine them truthfully. This book was a necessary read: it made me realize a lot more than I thought about myself and my own biases. While I have never been outwardly racist, I definitely have benefited from the privilege of being a straight, cis, white woman. Part of reading this book was realizing just how much of an advantage that has given me in multiple parts of my life. The book is easy to read, but hard in the sense that it forces the reader to be accountable for their own conscience.
Creative Use for a Library Program:
An acting scenario: many are presented within the book of scenarios where people can either stand up for what’s right, or stay quiet. Going through those situations and practicing them would be a great way for those who want to stand up in the future to practice the words they will use so they aren’t caught off guard when the situation presents itself. Although this isn’t a fun activity, I think it goes well with the book and with the call to action presented within the pages.
Speed-Round Book Talk or Short Book Trailer:
“My parents voted for Obama”, “I don’t see color”, “I couldn’t be racist if I tried!” Plenty of people say these things without realizing that these phrases are inherently racist. Authors DiAngelo, Michael, and Williamson composed this book to explore systemic racism and how to confront it head on - both in others and in yourself.
Potential Challenge Issues and Defense Preparation:
There could be some serious issues from parents claiming that this book promotes reverse racism/encourages white guilt. The authors directly counter argue this by explaining reverse racism does not exist in the way that they want it to, and that if they are concerned with causing white guilt it is because they have something to be guilty of. If anyone were to challenge this resource I would make them actually read it before it would be considered for removal from the collection.
Reason for Inclusion:
The original version of this book was a New York Times Bestseller for a reason, it opens up a discussion that can be difficult to have, but in a way that forces the reader to self reflect on why it is difficult in the first place. Having an adapted version for young adults would be a great addition to a collection as it could help young adults confront their implicit biases they may not know they even have.
References:
(n.d.). Ali Michael. About. https://www.alimichael.org/about
(n.d.). Beacon Press: Toni Graves Williamson. https://www.beacon.org/cw_contributorinfo.aspx?ContribID=11874&Name=Toni+Graves+Williamson
(n.d.). Robin DiAngelo - About Me. https://www.robindiangelo.com/about-me/
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