On Monday, 14 September at 7:00 p.m. we will conclude our conversation with a discussion on chapters 11 and 12.
Here is the Zoom link to join the discussion. Meeting ID: 815 3309 5399 Password: 727559
Below you’ll find some questions on which to reflect in preparation for this session; we’ll have an opportunity to discuss some of these questions in small groups.
Reflection Questions for Chapters 11 and 12
Chapter 11: White Women's Tears
DiAngelo writes, “In this way, emotions are not natural; they are the result of the frameworks we are using to make sense of social relations. And, of course, social relations are political. Our emotions are also political because they are often externalized; our emotions drive behaviors that impact other people.”
Do you agree with this characterization of emotions?
DiAngelo quotes one of her African-American colleagues as saying,” when a white woman cries, a black man gets hurt.” Why (and when) are white women's tears problematical? Do men compound the problems of white women's tears?
Chapter 12: Where Do We Go From Here?
The final chapter of the book begins with an example of how feedback on a racial issue in the workplace might be better processed. A member of the equity team who has been insensitive with the new web developer seeks out a discussion to broaden her understanding of how to better structure the relationship. Have you ever been in such a situation? As the equity team member? As the web developer? How did you react to the situation?
DiAngelo goes on by writing, “In chapter 9, I identified the common emotions, behaviors, claims, and underlying assumptions of white fragility. In this chapter, we’ll see how those elements would change if we transformed our racial paradigm.” How much change do you feel there would be if we followed her advice?
What would it take to “transform our racial paradigm?
Here is the Zoom link to join the discussion Meeting ID: 815 3309 5399 Password: 727559
