The problem is this combines with DiAngelo’s other constant assertion that the best way for white people to understand their racism is to listen to black people who are preternaturally gifted at understanding racism. The end result being even worse than what Ben said originally: when a black person tells you you’re racist your best response is “of course I was...”
If you’re dealing with a blindspot that’s distributed across a group of people, then yes, it’s more effective to talk with people outside that group who don’t share the blindspot, because they’re less likely to collaborate with you to keep the spot blind. Obviously it’s not helpful, or even very possible, to just believe whatever other people tell you (it’s not possible to meaningfully believe something you don’t understand). Does DiAngelo actually say to do that? My impression is no, what she says is about what to do if you’re in a group blindspot.
The problem is this combines with DiAngelo’s other constant assertion that the best way for white people to understand their racism is to listen to black people who are preternaturally gifted at understanding racism. The end result being even worse than what Ben said originally: when a black person tells you you’re racist your best response is “of course I was...”
If you’re dealing with a blindspot that’s distributed across a group of people, then yes, it’s more effective to talk with people outside that group who don’t share the blindspot, because they’re less likely to collaborate with you to keep the spot blind. Obviously it’s not helpful, or even very possible, to just believe whatever other people tell you (it’s not possible to meaningfully believe something you don’t understand). Does DiAngelo actually say to do that? My impression is no, what she says is about what to do if you’re in a group blindspot.