Racism in a Culture of Niceness: How Well Intended White People Cause Racial Harm
Join Dr. Robin DiAngelo for a deep dive into systemic racism, its impact, and how we can drive meaningful change.
Mar 17, 2025 — 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
The murder of George Floyd in 2020 sparked a global reckoning on race, bringing widespread awareness to the fact that racism is not just a series of isolated incidents but a deeply embedded system within society. This shift in understanding moved conversations beyond the idea of racism as individual acts of prejudice, toward recognizing it as a hierarchical structure that shapes our interactions, regardless of personal identity or intent.
In this thought-provoking presentation, Dr. Robin DiAngelo will examine common patterns among well-meaning white individuals that contribute to racial harm and reinforce systemic racism. She will challenge the notion that a culture of "niceness" is the solution to racism and instead offer practical, constructive ways to engage in meaningful change.
While the discussion will primarily focus on white participants’ roles in this dynamic, IBPOC attendees may find it affirming and valuable in navigating these interactions.
About the Guest Speaker:
Dr. DiAngelo is an Affiliate Associate Professor of Education at the University of Washington. In addition, she holds two Honorary Doctorates.
She is a two-time winner of the Student’s Choice Award for Educator of the Year at the University of Washington’s School of Social Work. In 2011 she coined the term White Fragility in an academic article which has influenced the international dialogue on race.
Her book, White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard For White People To Talk About Racism was released in June of 2018 and debuted on the New York Times Bestseller List, where it remained for over three years and has been translated into 12 languages. It has now been adapted for young adults. Her follow-up book, released in June of 2021, is: Nice Racism: How Progressive White People Perpetuate Racial Harm. Her work or interviews have been featured in the New York Times, The Guardian, CNN, MSNBC, CBS, NPR, PBS, and The BBC, among many other forums. In addition to her academic work, Dr. DiAngelo has been a consultant, educator and facilitator for over 20 years on issues of racial and social justice.