Speaker to cover topics of whiteness, white fragility April 12 and 13

Educator Robin DiAngelo will speak at Western Washington University April 12 and 13 for several events on the topic of race:

• From 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 12, in Viking Union Room 462 A and B, DiAngelo will present "Seeing the Water: Whiteness in Daily Life." A description of DiAngelo's talk: "What does it mean to be white in a society that proclaims race meaningless yet is deeply divided by race? DiAngelo will describe the way race shapes the lives of white people, explain what makes racism so hard for white people to see and identify common white racial patterns that prevent us from moving towards greater racial equity. Weaving information, analysis, stories, images, and familiar examples, she provides the framework needed to develop white racial literacy. Although the focus is on white racial identity development, people of color may also find the analysis valuable as it is one that is rarely affirmed or provided in mainstream society."
• From 4 to 5:30 p.m. April 12 in VU565, a reception will be held for DiAngelo.
• From 10:30 a.m. to noon April 13, in VU565, DiAngelo will speak on the topic of white fragility. A description of DiAngelo's talk: "White people in the U.S. live in a racially insular social environment. Because our racial perspectives are so rarely challenged within this environment, we have not had to develop the stamina needed to tolerate racial stress. I term this lack of stamina 'White Fragility.' When we are challenged in cross-racial interactions, white fragility triggers a range of defensive moves including: argumentation, invalidation, silence, withdrawal and claims of being attacked and unsafe. While these moves are effective at blocking the challenge and regaining our racial equilibrium, they are also damaging to people of color and prevent us from developing the skills we need to create a racially just society. This session will overview white fragility and provide the perspectives needed for more constructive cross-racial interactions." 

These presentations are sponsored by the Dean of Students Cultural Competence Professional Development Committee, Target Corporation, the WWU Campus Equity and Inclusion Forum and the senior vice president and vice president of Enrollment and Student Services.

DiAngelo is a former associate professor of education. She is a two-time winner of the Student's Choice Award for Educator of the Year. Her scholarship is in White Racial Identity and Race Relations. In addition to her academic work, Dr. DiAngelo has extensive experience as a workplace consultant in issues of race relations and racial justice. She was appointed to co-design, develop and deliver the City of Seattle’s Race and Social Justice Initiative. She has numerous publications and just completed the 2nd edition of her book, “What Does it Mean to be White?: Developing White Racial Literacy. Her work on White Fragility has been featured in Alternet, Salon.com, NPR and Colorlines.