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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

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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

From Salon • Aug. 1, 2021

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 considers white fragility a form of bullying that effectively shuts down conversations about race and racism before the first layers of opinion and prejudice have been peeled back.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 26, 2017

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