Rebecca answers “Why is the term 'White Fragility' is not...”

A Goodreads user asked this question about White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism:

Why is the term 'White Fragility' is not equally as offensive and unjust as a coloured person being accused of 'playing the race card' or 'victim card?' The defensive moves include: 'anger, fear, guilt, argumentation and silence (The whimsical contradiction of the last two is staggering) What is your average, non-racist white person to do when they are accused of being racist? I'm not white nor am I black.

Rebecca It *is* equally offensive.

My suggestion for your other question, and for accusations of every type:

If a person is accused of some kind of moral offen…moreIt *is* equally offensive.

My suggestion for your other question, and for accusations of every type:

If a person is accused of some kind of moral offense, probably the best response is to say, "Would you be willing to explain?" If they say no, say, "Oh, okay; well, thanks anyway. I'll think about what you said." Then go home and think about it and come up with your own conclusions about whether you want to change or not.

If they do explain, say "Thanks for the explanation. I'll think more about what you said." And then go home and think about it and come up with your own conclusion.

These are just handy communication tools for dealing with conflict in a calm and respectful way. Look at that: two brief paragraphs, and nothing about race. Her book could have been a whole lot shorter.

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