When this book was published in 2018, it caused a division among anti-racist white Americans who describe themselves as far-progressives, far from racial discrimination. It also caused resentment among some Black people who considered the author to arrogantly believe that she understands their feelings towards racism. Some even described the book as racist despite the sincere intentions of its author. Robin DiAngelo, a specialist in critical discourse analysis, whiteness studies, and diversity consultant, coined the term "white fragility" to express a system of political, social, cultural, and psychological policies and motivations that prevent white people from recognizing their hidden and evasive forms of racism.