White Fragility: What It Is, What It Isn’t, and What We Can Do About It
- Erin Pederson (Iowa State University)
Abstract
White people are needed in the movement to challenge and decrease the individual and institutional effects of racism. Even when caring and wanting to make a difference, something that might keep white folks on the sidelines has been termed white fragility. The concept of white fragility refers to when white persons feel overwhelmed about something involving racism, including getting defensive or withdrawing when one’s white privilege or racist thoughts or behaviors get pointed out. This session is presented by two ISU staff who identify as white and who are on the journey of strengthening their social justice work and helping others in that journey. People of all racial and ethnic identities are welcome to attend this session that aims to—without shaming—help audience members learn about white fragility, why it happens, how it shows up, and ways to strengthen resilience in doing anti-racism and other social justice work.