A term coined by anthropologist Pierre Bordieu, habitus refers to the way people perceive the world around them and react to it. These behaviors are often based on a person’s “field” (environment) and “capital” (the social value a person holds in that environment). DiAngelo uses habitus to explain white fragility, arguing that when white people find themselves in an unfamiliar social position (e.g., being questioned about racism or racist behavior), they use white fragility to restore their social comfort. In this way, white fragility it is a kind of habitus that white people use to navigate uncomfortable conversations of race.
Get the entire White Fragility LitChart as a printable PDF.
Habitus Term Timeline in White Fragility
The timeline below shows where the term Habitus appears in White Fragility. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 7
DiAngelo cites anthropologist Pierre Bordieu’s concept of habitus to understand white fragility, Habitus indicates how people perceive the world around them and react...
(full context)
When social cues are unfamiliar or when they challenge a person’s capital, they’ll use habitus to regain social comfort. In this sense, white fragility is a form of habitus in...
(full context)
