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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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Nice Racism summary
How Progressive White People Perpetuate Racial Harm
29 mins
Brief summary
Nice Racism by Robin DiAngelo is an insightful read that explores how even well-intentioned people can inadvertently contribute to and uphold systemic racism through their actions and attitudes.
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Nice Racism
Summary of 9 key ideas
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Key idea 1 of 9
Nice racists often do the most harm.
What do you think a racist person looks like? Try to conjure up an image – do you see a hooded member of the Ku Klux Klan? Or perhaps an angry face belonging to a white nationalist group, like the Proud Boys who stormed the US Capitol?
It’s true that far-right, racist extremism is on the rise in the United States. But if you’re white and you want to find a racist, start closer to home. That is, look in the mirror.
But I’m not that kind of white person! you may be protesting. I’m on the diversity board at work, I march for Black Lives Matter, and I chose my kid’s school solely because it was diverse. Well, if that’s your reaction, there’s some bad news: chances are, you’re a “nice racist.”
The key message here is: Nice racists often do the most harm.
Many of us think of the far right as the villains when it comes to racism. But the truth is, well-intentioned white people who are extra careful to say and do the "right things" actually inflict the most daily harm.
That doesn’t make any sense, you’re thinking. These people sign up for diversity committees and try to hang out with Black parents at their child’s school! Well, they also flock to diverse neighborhoods, gentrifying them in the process. And they subject the Black people they encounter to a constant stream of racist microaggressions – like noting how “articulate” they are or suddenly using hip-hop slang whenever Black people are around.
Face it: being “nice” isn’t the same as being educated about white supremacy or taking responsibility for the harm you cause. It doesn’t mean you’re actually invested in changing the status quo – just that you like performing the part. On diversity boards, nice racists actively impede progress by being all talk and no action, or by foregrounding their own feelings over those of their Black colleagues.
Of course, nice racists have the best of intentions. But good intentions don’t solve the intractable problems of racism and white supremacy. If you’re white, you’ve grown up in a thick soup of racist messaging: you’re superior, you earned all the advantages you enjoy in life, and Black people would prosper if they only tried a bit harder. These, of course, are all lies. The good news is, they’re lies you can unlearn. But first you’ll have to give up on being so “nice.”
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What is Nice Racism about?
Nice Racism (2021) challenges everything we think we know about racism. Most racists don’t belong to the far right, and they don’t consciously support white supremacy. Instead, they’re “nice” progressive white people who commit daily microaggressions because they’ve never properly confronted their own biases. By abandoning niceness and becoming accountable instead, white people can develop into better allies in the fight for racial justice.
Nice Racism Review
Nice Racism (2021) explores the concept of systemic racism and the ways it persists in our society. Here's why this book is worth reading:
- With insightful analysis and examples, it challenges our understanding of racism and encourages meaningful conversations about it.
- The book offers a comprehensive exploration of the ways in which well-intentioned individuals inadvertently contribute to systemic racism, fostering self-reflection and personal growth.
- Through thought-provoking insights and thoughtfully presented evidence, the book stimulates critical thinking, making it an engaging and enlightening read.
Who should read Nice Racism?
- White activists seeking better tools to fight racism
- White would-be allies who are ready to confront their internal biases
- Black people and people of color interested in learning more about the workings of white supremacy
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Nice Racism FAQs
What is the main message of Nice Racism?
The main message of Nice Racism is that being well-intentioned is not enough to dismantle racism; it requires active and ongoing engagement.
How long does it take to read Nice Racism?
The reading time for Nice Racism varies depending on the reader's speed. However, the Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is Nice Racism a good book? Is it worth reading?
Nice Racism is a thought-provoking read that challenges conventional notions of racism. It offers valuable insights into the complexities of addressing racism in a well-meaning society.
Who is the author of Nice Racism?
Robin DiAngelo is the author of Nice Racism.
What to read after Nice Racism?
If you're wondering what to read next after Nice Racism, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo
- So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo
- Ain’t I a Woman by bell hooks
- How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi
- Gender Trouble by Judith Butler
- The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo
- The End of Race Politics by Coleman Hughes
- Simulacra and Simulation by Jean Baudrillard
- Born a Crime by Trevor Noah
- Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer