What is white fragility?

A look at some of the common responses from white people when it comes to conversations about racism.
This segment aired as a part of The Handle: Living While Black - Episode 6.
The Handle: Living While Black is presented by Bank of America. Education support is provided by the Equity Fund, an Amarillo Area Foundation Community Collaboration.

[@phily8716]

Imagine telling someone they're inherently guilty of something, no matter how they've lived their lives and treated people around them. Then, when they disagree asking "why are you defensive?"

[@Yaaark]

Well lots of you are in fact racist. Lots of micro aggressions and stereotypes that get ppl profiled and killed. Y’all don’t even just disagree without saying something racist😂 Sorry someone calling you racist hurts your feelings 😢

[@Lizzyvic3]

It's not that you're guilty of something. It's that as white people we are born with privilege of having our skin color never make over lives systemically more difficult. We didn't ask for this privilege but it's the world we were born into and if we have any amount of empathy and understanding towards other people we will drop the defensiveness and learn.

[@phily8716]

@@Lizzyvic3 list the privileges

[@Lizzyvic3]

@@phily8716 well I think it’s important to first note that these systems of oppression have been in place for so long that it feels “normal” or “just how it is” to privileged people. But these are systems that have been intentionally created and upheld

[@Lizzyvic3]

@@phily8716 in terms of white privileged, some are: - white peoples are less likely to be arrested and less likely to be convicted for the same crimes as black people - white people can assume when they go shopping they will be treated as a serious customer and not a shoplifter - most white people are not segregated into communities that isolate them from the best job/housing/education opportunities - white peoples can always expect to see representation of themselves in the media - white people are able to feel like individuals and not boiled down to just a member of their racial group

[@comedychannels]

These people think oppression is exclusively a black person's experience , I'll leave it there.

[@monstramonstrocity2233]

It's because it is. Tell me the last time white people been oppressed in America? Ill wait,

[@comedychannels]

@@monstramonstrocity2233 lol .... zero brains

[@monstramonstrocity2233]

@@comedychannels exactly you cat tell me,

[@KR-us9pj]

Anyone who says “Our people” has already created a group identity barrier.

[@Tibdibs]

I don't fucking care

[@TrollingRacist-ng9fd]

White fragility😂

[@mizzou1016]

@@Tibdibsof course you don’t. You’re a black supremacist

[@Pewtoy]

@@Tibdibs no one cares about you either

[@Tibdibs]

@@Pewtoy my mom does

[@MrSalad-om8td]

It’s kinda scary how obsessed these people are with race and privilege

[@wowza2050]

Is it weird that a chemist is obsessed with chemistry? Is it weird that a teacher is obsessed with teaching? Is it weird that activists are obsessed with human rights? No. You're just fragile.

[@thefarcenteristhepartyyoun4787]

There are Americans, there are Africans, and there is no such thing as African Americans, unless they just moved here.

[@nomus1172]

No Africans and African Americans are too genetically and culturally different . Plus what about the different African ethnic groups. An African American isn’t part of those unless their recent ancestors are actually from Africa and kept the culture and traditions

[@The_Egyptian_queen]

There are native Americans and the rest of " Americans" are just British " Americans" who enslaved African people ( who are named black " Americans" ) and use them to build the occupied land of America. And until know British " Americans" are still treating native Americans ( real Americans) as they do Not exist. And treat enslaved Africans the Same way.

[@kaheemkaheem]

The information is there. But people choose to not listen

[@Tibdibs]

Honestly i dont give a fuck about being called RACIST anymore because at this point the left has made everything thing racist, not trying to be racist IS racist, ignoring skin color is ALSO RACIST and just being white means YOU have to take extreme measures just to prove you aren’t racist so at this point i don’t even give a SHIT have race issues with over policing there is in black neighborhoods because lm sick of a country where white people are racist at birth and black people are victims at birth because that NOT true. At this point I thought to offensive side of this country would shrink but it hasn’t and 2 years later we have gotten even more weak so at this point YES I GUESS IM RACIST.

[@elefant5772]

I don't care anymore, I don't listen anymore. Tired of being the scapegoat for black jerks.

[@yoooo790]

You mean white people choose not to listen nor hear.

[@godsoloved24]

It's racism from a book written by a self avowed racist.

[@kastelvetro1491]

black fragility is never going away, much like black men being raised by single black moms isnt goint away no wait the black womb is acutally disappearing as blacks are racially mixing so much more. thats real progress. once the black womb is gone so goes with it black fragility

[@wowza2050]

@@kastelvetro1491 what. The. Fuck.

[@jaysantana3078]

Fragile

[@TrollingRacist-ng9fd]

So fragile.

[@joelhungerford8388]

​@@jaysantana3078 get over it

[@mommar4858]

If anyone wants examples of what she's describing, read this comment section.

[@elliottbaker201]

Disagreement is healthy, don't be scared and dismiss it as "fragility"

[@mommar4858]

@elliottbaker201 Exactly, and we both added our opinions too. ✌️

[@laughingvampire7555]

No, America is not a nation of immigrants, is a nation of British people escaping the British crown, that is why you speak English and not other language.

[@mr.mayhem5438]

Omg this is complete bull

[@TrollingRacist-ng9fd]

White fragility😂

[@cristop5]

I must automatically learn to see everyone primarily in terms of their race rather than our common humanity. Then I must insure race doesn't factor into the way I judge them. Unless they're white.

[@jaysantana3078]

Fragility

[@SorrySoup]

See people as individuals but have an awareness for how being from different cultures has a major impact on our lives. Asking us to be willing to self reflect without ego stopping us from actually correcting deeply imprinted false assumptions we make about other people based off being from another culture. Its a complex issue with an equally complex solution.

[@cristop5]

@@SorrySoup It's really very simple. It becomes complicated when racism/"anti-racism" becomes an ideology, i.e. an academic discipline.

[@elliottbaker201]

​@@jaysantana3078mere disagreement. Don't let a mere disagreement get you all fussy now

[@JaakuDesu]

How is this line of thought productive?

[@brianmeen2158]

It isn’t. It’s actually counter productive

[@orange70383]

Who gets upset? this video is very racist.

[@kaheemkaheem]

White people it's ignorant not to try any learn

[@bangbang44500]

@@kaheemkaheem If you were smart you would recognize the correlation I just put out in front of you.

[@TrollingRacist-ng9fd]

White fragility😂

[@michaelwhite8031]

We are all the same race.

[@devonmarr9872]

I never chose to be born into the family I was born into. The color of my skin was never a choice. I have tried to push for legal changes to remove racial inequalities. At the end of the day the issue is much more the elites vs the middle/lower class than it is all white people being racist and all black people being perfect people who are kept down by the racist white people.

[@laughingvampire7555]

countries should be monoracial and monocultural. that is why Sweden and Japan are successful.

[@black.listed]

Sweden is most definitely not monoracial or monocultural, nor would I label Japan as a successful country

[@someweirdguy]

@@black.listedcap japan is doing good probably not the best.

[@joelhungerford8388]

Sweden was fine until they let in too many 3rd worlders

[@shakfox8795]

So the accusation that all white people of being latent racists and never being able to understand and commensurate with minorities is a racist notion. I think you get a defensive reaction from white people because critical race theory is racist against white people. Racism, sexism, misogyny and homophobia are all best handled on a case by case basis. You can continue to feel oppressed and shudder your talent or you dismiss this foolish dialog and live your truth. Everyone has supporters. Everyone has critics. Everyone has allies. Everyone deals with oppression. You either buckle under the pressure and get lost in the sauce, or you become the most genuine version of yourself and shine in guiltless confidence - however that makes sense to you. It's okay if Dianglo thinks your a racist. Real systemic genocide is still a thing. Maybe this energy surrounding race theory should be applied in places where racism is actually happening and not in places where it isn't.

[@wowza2050]

I haven't watched the whole video but in it, they say all white people are racist?

[@shakfox8795]

@@wowza2050 "Fragility" is the defensive stance that supposedly all white people presume when questioned about race. It's a pretty auspicious claim given the history of civilization. With this, I invite the mob; let's discuss Libya.

[@shakfox8795]

@Kelly Robinson Your welcome, puritan.

[@wowza2050]

@@shakfox8795 where does it say ALL??? I'm sick and tired of white people swooping in and changing definitions of terms just to make it fit a narrative that they've made up in their head. THAT is white fragility my friend. Just because it means YOU, doesn't mean it means ALL.

[@shakfox8795]

@@wowza2050 Then why push this in public schools? If I understand the premise correctly, it is that European Americans are disassociated to the plight of minorites because of systemic racism in America. The problem with CRT's generalization of all whiteness is that European history in America springs fourth from many diving boards and from many different places and it is all terribly complicated. Just because I run to the chance to defend that history from sweeping revisionist curriculums like CRT doesn't make me a racist. I respect the sacrifice made by the protagonists and antagonists in our quest for greater civil rights . It makes me sad that all the tumult the world has gone through in this century has been a violent quest to define virtue and yet - inspite of all sacrifice - the state still seeks to divide us on racial lines. The public school system has been dissolved into a daycare for the indoctrinating soul crushing state propaganda to hopelessly vulnerable young minds. To impress upon the European-American Youth that they are, by default, complicit in the attribution of racism in this country is a menace of a notion. They should be brought to inspiration regardless of their nationality, orientation or creed.

[@SmartDave60]

As a black person born w/ opportunity in America it would be nice if more white people could acknowledge the same for themselves; rather than acting like as success is the result solely of individual merit. If we wanna solve the black issue in America we have to increase opportunity for black Americans so more can be safe, stable and productive.

[@77tubuck]

Of course success is not the result of individual merit. Less qualified black people are getting jobs through affirmative action.

[@SmartDave60]

@@77tubuck and blacks and a women weren’t allowed to compete in America w/ white men until modern times. That’s the ultimate affirmative action. A woman’s place was considered to be in the home. In modern times tho’ we see women physicians, engineers, attorneys, etc. That was virtually unheard of before the 1960s.

[@77tubuck]

@@SmartDave60 I don't care. Two wrongs don't make a right.

[@SmartDave60]

@@77tubuck well I wouldn’t call it two wrongs. I would say that a party was harmed and is required to be made whole and provided equal opportunity.

[@77tubuck]

@@SmartDave60 So you think you should get special treatment because of something that happened to your race before you were even born. Geese what a grievous sense of entitlement.

[@Xbox360mIRC]

Antiwhiteism

[@TrollingRacist-ng9fd]

No you're displaying white fragility😂

[@Doc_McStuffins]

As a black American, I am not an immigrant. I respect these people for putting themselves and their viewpoints out there, so I won't be critical of anything anyone has said I appreciate their willingness to speak out about such an important issue. I am so sick and tired of the gaslighting. Racism is real. It happens all the time and being on the receiving end of it is exhausting. Being told that it isn't racism or that racism doesn't exist, or that I'm racism for labeling it for what it is, is the ultimate gut punch.

[@afgone]

No one is saying racism doesn't exist - it's the notion of "white privilege" that doesn't exist. What privilege does a poor white kid with a single mother have over a rich black kid with a stable nuclear family?

[@Doc_McStuffins]

@@afgone here we go. Your anecdote about white poverty doesn't negate the privilege you have as a white person not to be discriminated against, on an institutional level, _because of your race_. And why you compare yourself to the unicorn that is a wealthy black person from a stable home, as you say, is beyond me, when statistically speaking, your socioeconomic situation is not that of the average white family and that which you described of a black person isn't typical for a black American. But if you want to compare outliers and make them the rule and completely deny the work of 400 years and institutional racism, that's your prerogative. But I'll say for the record that white privilege =/= wealth. Nobody ever said that but uninformed white people.

[@amindra963]

True! I've experienced raw rabid racism for 56 years. In Canada! Where there is NO racism. Cannot speak of such attrocities in public; lest be labelled a dark racist.

[@Doc_McStuffins]

@Trey Redfield yes. Bc racist ppl just volunteer that they're racist all the time. Right. But a hit dog sure will hollar! Hence, your uninvited, unhelpful post. I must've struck a nerve. Seems like you should take your own advice about that mouth.

[@joemccann5376]

@@Doc_McStuffins every single appeal to lived experience is an anecdote.

[@hairyasstruman2257]

She reminded us three times in six minutes that she has biracial children

[@Youarelovewalk]

Ok, and?

[@joelhungerford8388]

She's proud of having mutts

[@elliottbaker201]

​@@Youarelovewalkit's her pedestal to affirm she's one of "the good ones"

[@snowy5419]

1:47 when are yall gonna learn that they don't like being called that

[@katey03]

I’m interested in understanding more. I am not African American, I am white with distant African American ancestry. I think this ties with everything going on right now. I can understand everyone has different experiences and not the same experiences being open to learning , understanding is important.

[@redbarron6659]

I work for a company that employs mostly Chinese and African people and I'm most definitely being discriminated against

[@CosmicPandaKing]

Let me guess your white?

[@The_Egyptian_queen]

No you are Not, because the other 99% of companies are welcoming you.

[@Pumpy_88]

@@The_Egyptian_queenbruh what are you even saying😂, total clownery right here 🤡

[@elliottbaker201]

​@@The_Egyptian_queenjust not the company they work at.. sounds like y'all trying to take jobs from white folks🤔🇺🇲

[@projectacuhope]

Rights come with responsibility. People should have rights commensurate to the responsibilities they are willing to take on.

[@donovanumbra9704]

What if the system deliberately blocks opportunity from learning about and taking on responsibility? Which this systems in fact does to black people.

[@elliottbaker201]

​@@donovanumbra9704does it though, fragile little fella?

[@bicuriousdirtbikeboi2594]

I never thought I'd see a PBS for Panhandle 😆

[@solomoon3083]

People like you are the very REASON why videos like this are being made.

[@mstone-wd7kc]

@@solomoon3083 LoL what

[@joshotey2967]

"Unless you're Native American, you're not native". Not true, please see the definition of native.

[@Juan-yq3fb]

The natives in the Americas were the first people. Go back to school.

[@joshotey2967]

@@Juan-yq3fb no need. I was born in the USA. I'm a native here.

[@streetsdisciple0014]

Correct aboriginal is more appropriate

[@kaydod3190]

@@streetsdisciple0014 No

[@wowza2050]

@@joshotey2967 You are an AMERICAN native. Native to the nation. Not native to the land. Not NATIVE AMERICAN. American (race) ≠ (American) Nationality.

[@PilloryClinton]

😭

[@Poetry-For-The-Itch-Of-It]

Only in America can one live on this contentment for 402 years and never be able to call themselves a native. In European countries, one is considered a native after three or four generations. It doesn't matter where on the globe an immigrant came from. My people's first entry onto the American continent occurred on November 21, 1620, at Cape Cod. I feel like I should be able to call myself a native American, but some people find this notion to be offensive. As a side note: For what it's worth, I have felt guilty about being from the people who caused the genocide of indigenous Americans. When I was younger and studying American history (as well as church history and Xn theology) and reflecting on human on human crime, I felt the blood on my hands. I washed and scrubbed my hands but they didn't come clean. I've tried to explain this experience, but most folks don't understand or just think I am a crazy liberal.

[@mavebabe1292]

this is an important conversation we all must understand. we need to be constantly understanding and listening to what black and poc have to say. and if you think this video is racey, how so? to say that it is racey it is just proving the white fragility point. and no i’m not saying any race is better than the other. but i am saying that other races are often disregarded and disrespected because of the skin they were born in.

[@jesusisdead]

White fragility is not a point. It a word group that is weaponized to ruin any opposition. Watch this..Black Fragility. Now if black people become Defensive I will use those words and be proved right