This PPO book studies course is based on the book: White Fragility: Why It’s so Hard for White People to talk about Racism.  The purpose of this PPO book study course is to encourage individuals traditionally identified as privileged in society, particularly white interpreters, to consider how they may benefit from and contribute to important conversations about race and other issues involving diversity, inclusion, and social justice. 

Overview: DiAngelo stresses that all white people play a role in perpetuating white supremacy—and that it is possible for them to change this if they are willing to examine how underlying assumptions influence their behavior.

Amazon’s Review:

The New York Times best-selling book explores the counterproductive reactions white people have when their assumptions about race are challenged, and how these reactions maintain racial inequality.
In this “vital, necessary, and beautiful book” (Michael Eric Dyson), antiracist educator Robin DiAngelo deftly illuminates the phenomenon of white fragility and “allows us to understand racism as a practice not restricted to ‘bad people’ (Claudia Rankine). Referring to the defensive moves that white people make when challenged racially, white fragility is characterized by emotions such as anger, fear, and guilt, and by behaviors including argumentation and silence. These behaviors, in turn, function to reinstate white racial equilibrium and prevent any meaningful cross-racial dialogue. In this in-depth exploration, DiAngelo examines how white fragility develops, how it protects racial inequality, and what we can do to engage more constructively. (Credit: Amazon.com book club)

Target Audience for this Webinar: Working Interpreters

(Please note: interpreting students should NOT participate in this course. For student oriented material, please email [email protected])

Educational Objectives for White Fragility:

1. Participants will define “White Fragility” and the impact of power, privilege, and oppression has on their role as an interpreter.
2. Participants will identify and understand concepts such as White Supremacy, Racism, Socialized Whiteness, and Social Identities--and connect those concepts in their work with Deaf People of Color.
3. Participants will identify and apply at least three strategies for combating racism, prejudice, discrimination, and/or oppression in their daily teachings and/or interpreting practices.
4. Participants will develop an action plan to address how they will reduce White Fragility in their work and/or social interactions with DPOC or ITOC.  

Diversity Academy for Interpreters is an Approved RID CMP Sponsor for continuing education activities. This PPO Professional Studies program is offered for 1.0 CEUs at the Little/None Content Knowledge Level.

Diversity Academy promotes and supports policies of non-discrimination and an environment that is mutually respectful and free from bias. 

Requests for accommodations must be submitted to [email protected]. 

The proceeds from this course will be used to compensate diverse Deaf People of Color presenters and BIPOC facilitators in Diversity Academy.

This course is available to Diversity Academy members for $50 or to non-members for $75.

Facilitators: 

Dr. Suzette Garay is Deaf BIPOC and a third generational Latina(x) from South America, Nicaragua and a third member of my family who was born Deaf. She holds the following degrees: BA, MA. PSY.S, and a Ph.D. Her major areas of studies are Special Education with an emphasis on Deafness and Learning Disabilities, Psychology, and teaching of American Sign Language. She is currently a retired Educational Psychologist and teaches online diversity training courses and/or Interpreting sign language courses and currently facilitates the Dear White Interpreter course with the CAITE BHI program. She also co-owns a private online website working with many families, individuals, and private business owners about interpreting, accessibility, diversity, and advocacy with diverse DHHDB consumers at www.thediversityacademy.com.

Dr. Garay’s resume includes the following qualifications: 25+ years of direct teaching, evaluating, and mentoring with Special Education students, ASL/Interpreter students, working nationally-certified interpreters, and/or community business members who use American Sign Language for communicating with their consumers. She also has invaluable personal experience and success teaching, evaluating, and mentoring diverse deaf individuals and/or consumers from underprivileged socio-economic backgrounds.

LJ Williams - Mr. Joseph (LJ) Williams, who is originally from Detroit MI, is Deaf Black, and person who is also Blind, and has CP. He has been working in Michigan for several years as a Deaf Interpreter and Mentor in various school settings for Deaf and Hard of Hearing students. Most recently, he has worked as a Case Manager for Deaf and Hard of Hearing consumers in the Orlando Florida area.  His professional work and personal experience as a Deaf and Blind person (DeafBlind and CP) have given him access to working as a Deaf interpreter and sharing his lived experiences of using interpreters and for addressing concerns that specifically come up from the “users point of view” for interpreters to consider when providing access. Currently, LJ lives in Utah and works with Sorenson. When not working, he enjoys spending time with his wife and family.

Renee Phillips has a BA from University of Arkansas in Little Rock. Her degree is in Liberal Arts with a focus on non-profit leadership. Renee is involved in many different leadership activities, including the Non-Profit Leadership Summit held in Chicago. Renee is a teacher by day for high school students and studying to become a CDI. Renee is the recipient of the Optimist Scholarship award. She believes in the importance of helping others achieve their highest good and leads discussions on social justice and systemic racism. Renee currently co-facilitates several Antiracist PPO CEUs online courses offered at Diversity Academy for Interpreters.

Diversity Academy for Interpreters is an Approved RID CMP Sponsor for continuing education activities. This PPO Professional Studies program is offered for 1.0 CEUs at the Little/None Content Knowledge Level.

Diversity Academy promotes and supports policies of non-discrimination and an environment that is mutually respectful and free from bias.

Requests for accommodations must be submitted to [email protected]. 

Cancellation Policy: 

In the event that this course has to be canceled, we will notify you within 48 hours. We will provide an alternative course date. 

Should you decide that any of these courses are not for you, you may cancel with a full refund before the first meeting of the course.