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Is white fragility real? Is white fragility real?
Yes, white fragility is real Yes, white fragility is real
No, white fragility does not exist No, white fragility does not exist
White fragility looks at how white people become defensive when racism is discussed White fragility looks at how white people become defensive when racism is discussed
White fragility highlights that only non-whites are "raced" White fragility highlights that only non-whites are "raced"
White fragility exposes how white people are established as perfectly privileged and socialized to think they are superior White fragility exposes how white people are established as perfectly privileged and socialized to think they are superior
White fragility promotes ending racism through open dialogue White fragility promotes ending racism through open dialogue
White fragility is a racist concept White fragility is a racist concept
White Fragility has an epistemological problem White Fragility has an epistemological problem
White fragility prevents meaningful dialogue White fragility prevents meaningful dialogue
White fragility typifies Social Justice Warrior fragility White fragility typifies Social Justice Warrior fragility
White fragility patronises Black people White fragility patronises Black people
White fragility is white supremacy White fragility is white supremacy
If race is a construct, white fragility cannot exist If race is a construct, white fragility cannot exist
The white fragility focus on white guilt oversimplifies a very complex debate The white fragility focus on white guilt oversimplifies a very complex debate
White fragility fails to acknowledge that racism is collective, not individual White fragility fails to acknowledge that racism is collective, not individual
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Is white fragility real?
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No, white fragility does not exist

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If race is a construct, white fragility cannot exist

Race, like gender, is a construct. To suggest otherwise is to participate in dangerous eugenic ideas. Therefore, white fragility cannot exist.
Cornell West
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Context

The context of the argument is that race is a construct.This essentially means the political , economic and social conditions in the society that are alienating , oppression and marginalisation. This pre-disposes that the constructs of slavery ,segregation and colonialism were frameworks established.The construct also pre-disposes that until the construct is eliminated then emancipation shall never be realised. This essentially means that a form of a Revolution to eliminate these structures are of necessity .That as long as these structures exist then class struggle against the Black will persist.The only solution available is a form of a Marxist revolution to eliminate the structures. This then eliminates the fragility realism

The Argument

The argument is that as much as structures do exist to ostracise the black and oppress the black, then the psychoanalytical pre-disposition that the white individuals are the source of the crisis. This also qualifies that the result of an oppressor and oppressed is one that is majorly predicated on superstructure and base structure. That the base structure, corporate systems, political systems control and oppress the minority African -Americans.[1]

Counter arguments

The issue established calls for a radical solution.The de-prioritisation of white fragility then shifts the attention from re-constructing pre-existing narratives to seek radical solutions.In the worst case scenario armament of the black people is one that is a requirement.Secondly, the interrogation is specific that its an interrogation on structures , the power relations and the oppressor -oppressed existence in the status quo. [6]

Proponents

Framing

The Framing on the argument is on the basis that structural analysis of the American society is a reliable form of metric to understand the Black issues within the United States of America.This type of framing then eliminates the existence of White Fragility and presents a perspective that white fragility is an idealist concept.That it doesn't deeply interrogate the real material problems; the social and economic relations that exists within the society.So the best form of analysis that seeks to establish concrete truth is one that is based on structural analysis of the society to asses the race problem than an idealist form of White Fragility analysis.

Premises

The essence of falsifying white fragility is to provide a pragmatic analysis of the complex issues of race.That the primary focus should be structure , the benefits , privilege and power benefits accrued by the white supremacists .This then ensures a push through protests for institutional and structural change. A push for reforms for the rights of Black workers , the rights of black women being recognised and protected within the work policies.This lens of interrogating race also involves establishment of critical race theories than a reliance on white fragility [2] [3] [4] [5]

Rejecting the premises

The realisation of change through a view and analysis of the complex racial issues through structural analysis omits the inherent biases and prejudice hate that is perpetuated in the society.It takes a materialistic perspective and form of analysis.It omits the unequal power dynamics that exists amongst racial classes.That there's a deep epistemological bias that exists, that within family Units some families do propagate hate against the Black through partisanship to enhance white supremacy. It ignores the existence of black on black problems perpetuated by crimes within some contexts in America and European states such as Chicago and Dixon in Canada . [7]

References

  1. https://libcom.org/files/Black%20Marxism-Cedric%20J.%20Robinson.pdf
  2. https://againstthecurrent.org/atc050/p3079/
  3. https://monthlyreview.org/product/ethical_dimensions_of_marxist_thought/
  4. https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/cifamerica/2011/jun/04/race-barack-obama
  5. https://theintercept.com/2019/03/07/cornel-west-on-bernie-trump-and-racism/
  6. https://fee.org/articles/book-review-marxism-philosophy-and-economics-by-thomas-sowell/
  7. https://nationalpost.com/news/toronto/the-dixon-road-bloods-are-back-six-alleged-gang-members-arrested-in-connection-to-murder
This page was last edited on Wednesday, 9 Sep 2020 at 16:18 UTC

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