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• The perpetuation of anti-Black racism within Arab societies finds its roots in what Bahraini cultural critic Nader Kadhem identifies as the dehumanization of Black people.
• This includes characterizations that caricature them with mental weakness, moral impotence, excessive sexual energy, foolishness and a tendency to laziness.
• While racist portrayals have faced increasing criticism in recent years, anti-Black racism endures, sustained in part by a form of white fragility.

White fragility in the Arab world

• The term white fragility refers to the defensive reactions and discomfort exhibited by white people when discussing race and racism.
• Not all facets of white fragility seamlessly translate into the modern Arab cultural landscape, but echoes of its influence resonate and shed light on the multifaceted nature of anti-Black racism in the Arab world.

Examples of white fragility

• When confronted with discussions on anti-Black racism, those with light-skinned privilege in Arab societies often display manifestations of white fragility.
• These can include expressions of anger, refusal, avoidance, debate, withdrawal or denial.
• These defensive responses illustrate the common reactions among lighter-skinned Arabs when their racial privilege or involvement in systemic racism is called into question.
• This defensive stance contributes to the persistence of racial inequity by obstructing constructive discourse and sabotaging attempts to confront systemic racism.

Unraveling white Arab fragility

• Acknowledging the prevalence of racism against Black people within Arab societies could challenge this belief, leading to discomfort and uncertainty among “white” Arabs.
• Claiming to have a Black or other racialized family member represents yet another manifestation of white fragility within DiAngelo’s American framework.
• Marriages between Black and white Arabs are less prevelant in the Arab world, and even when there is a Black family member, there is a reluctance to acknowledge it.
• White fragility is a potent mechanism that maintains privilege.

Amir Al-Azraki does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.