There's a completely different way forward to people who happen to be "white" and genuinely care about social justice and a better future and aren't well versed yet in these subjects (the foregoing, though not set forth here, "my viewpoint"). This article reveals the degree to which Ms. DiAngelo has projected her personal experience onto everyone else she deems to be part of a cultural group with and believes that applicable on a broad scale. If I am "white" and my viewpoint is different from hers - and give me the benefit of the doubt I have been as much a part of the fight for social justice as she has and am not a white privilege denier (though I define it differently) - then it seems if I challenge her viewpoint she will call it "fragility," basically saying "you just proved me right by disagreeing with me" and equating having a different view with defensiveness. That's a path down the rabbit hole of fascism and even cult mentality. Which is why people like her, imo, create people like Stephen Miller and increase division and get Trumps elected. In short, if you can exclude the sexual politics components of Camille Paglia's writing, which I have no opinion on, Paglia is spot on. Many of the criticisms of critical race theory are valid -- and to say my saying that makes me part of the problem is a deeply mistaken projection, intellectually, ethically, and in terms of creating a better future world. But hardcore proponents equate all forms of criticism of their view. Kind of like Scientologists. I am white, I agree systemic racism and implicit bias need to be fixed and I have privilege, and you are completely wrong in how you're going about this. That does not mean I'm defending my privilege or in denial of it. I have thought about this deeply and have the life experience and the heart to say it with authenticity.

p.s.: A different take from African-American academic, linguist and writer John McWhorter, who has been described as a "radical centrist":

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/20…

I have to agree with stelthz on a lot of his/her points. This piece talks some great sense - but overanalyzes the subject to the point of coming across as the white fragility of white fragility. I grew up in a highly diverse environment so I understand that many people don't have the same benefit of getting to know a human being without a second thought to their skintone or accent. But at some point - if this really matters to you - you have to submit to common sense. Remove race from any of the author's exemplary anecdotes and you have a very common sense example of basic social etiquette, i.e. the webmaster. She did not know the webmaster and so it was a poorly chosen time to assert her "I'm white but I "get it" so its (extra) cool for me to make jokes about racism around my (blackity black) black friends". Result: white fagility fragility. But basic human respect goes way beyond race, creed or orientation. Until she internalizes the fact that people are people first, she will continue to make jokes about gay-muslim-amputees in front of gay-muslim amputees whom she doesn't know - and feel fine about it as long as she didn't permanently fuck up her status as a "cool white chick". I know it sounds harsh to say, but social ignorance is social ignorance no matter what color you so judiciously decline to not slap on it. Most people in the world are much more worried about the color red right now. So I suggest the author take a year off to travel the (real) world, and learn more about what makes a person a person.

I can't believe there are only three comments on this article.

I have to agree with Aurelius that DiAngelo is over analyzing this and putting too much psychobabble in it which is going to be a turn off for many white people - like she notes that they'll just withdraw.

Something I've wondered about in terms of race issues, and am throwing this out to anyone reading is the how the role of simplistic cultural differences plays into racism, perceived racism, etc. For instance, speech, speed of talking and animation of speech. In a big generalization, I would say white people speak slower and are less animated in general speech than black people. What role does this play in white cops shooting black people? In videos you often see them say 'calm down' and the black person say's 'I am calm...', but they might be waving their hands around (animated speech), which white people are not used to and find threatening. Same with volume of speech, speed, etc. I don't have a solution, but I never hear things like this being talked about. It's always about the bias, white privilege, subtle racism, etc. which are real, but I think there are some very real, maybe call them physiological issues to address.

Thank you, Mercury, for this article. We can't discuss race and white privilege enough.

Chris Front - so you discuss it then what? Racism is solved?

the amount of projection going on in this lady's mind is pretty mind boggling. also, she obviously did not grow up in an area with a sizable population of american blacks. just because you feel fragile doesn't mean that everyone else does, sister.