white fragility

American  

[hwahyt fruh-jil-i-tee, wahyt] / ˈʰwaɪt frəˌdʒɪl ɪ ti, ˈwaɪt /

noun

1. the tendency among members of the dominant white cultural group to have a defensive, wounded, angry, or dismissive response to evidence of racism.

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Etymology

Origin of white fragility

Coined by Robin DiAngelo (born 1956), U.S. academic and author, in her article “White Fragility” (2011)

Example Sentences

Harris showed that new ways of drawing an audience were possible and that Black playwrights didn’t have to tread gingerly on white fragility to be deemed successful.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 27, 2021

DiAngelo's discussion of "white fragility" is not a position readily identified with CRT.

From Salon • Aug. 1, 2021

After the May 25 death of George Floyd under the knee of a Minneapolis police officer, words around racial justice experienced spikes, including fascism, anti-fascism, defund and white fragility.

From Washington Times • Nov. 30, 2020

It is not tone policing, protecting white fragility or covering up abuse.

From New York Times • Aug. 17, 2019

DiAngelo in her writings argues that white fragility comes from an understandable source.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 20, 2018