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.

---

Etymology

Origin of white fragility

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

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

white fragility

In trainings, Sherman-Conroy called chaplains out about white fragility, defensiveness and resistance to recognizing implicit biases.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 25, 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

Here are a few ways I check myself against white fragility.

From Salon ● Jul. 18, 2016