Nice Racism: How Progressive White People Perpetuate Racial Harm

by Robin DiAngelo

Let’s use a checklist adapted from a handout created by professor of education John Raible to measure how likely it is that the white people I stand in front of every day are in fact the choir and can claim most of these skills: • I demonstrate knowledge and awareness of racism. • I continually educate myself about racism and the perspectives of BIPOC people. • I hold awareness of my whiteness in all settings and that awareness guides how I engage. • I am involved in anti-racist projects and programs. • I raise issues about racism over and over, both in public and in private. • I make sure anti-racism is part of the discussion in meetings and project planning. • I avoid personalizing racial issues as they are raised in conversation. • I can identify many aspects of racism as they are happening. • I attend to group dynamics to ensure the inclusion of BIPOC people. • I support and validate the contributions of BIPOC people. • I have personal relationships and know the private lives of a range of BIPOC people, including Black people. • I use my position as a white “insider” to share information with BIPOC people. • I have developed the skills to strategically intervene in racist dynamics. • I have demonstrated that I can accept leadership from BIPOC people. • I debrief with BIPOC people to give and get “reality checks” and affirmations after meetings and interactions. • I accept—with no explanations or “proof” necessary—a person of color’s experience. • I can be present emoti...