Hi dear friends,

I spent this weekend read both White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo and the Heart of Buddha Teaching by Thích Nhất Hạnh. I found both books have surprisingly similar concepts and methods when it comes to talking and receiving feedback with an open heart is the only way to learn/ reduce your suffering. Both books also promote the concepts of oneness, how to realize as a white person, you benefit from the system even if you don't consider yourself a racist (from Robin DiAngelo's book) and how to understand that "He who experiences the unity of life sees himself in all beings, and all beings in himself. He looks on everything with an impartial eye." (from Thích Nhất Hạnh's book).

However, there is one difference between them that has been on my mind for a while now. Robin DiAngelo mentions pretty early in the book that equal treatment isn't the solution to end racism. They have an example like you can't give an elderly person a paper with small prints when she is in a classroom with younger people. Just because she's in that classroom doesn't mean her needs and difficulties disappear. This is Robin DiAngelo's reasoning to combat colorblind racism. In the Heart of Buddha Teaching, Thích Nhất Hạnh mentions that you have to treat and love all being equally because, at the core, we're members of the human family, regardless of our race or religion. Thích Nhất Hạnh says this to emphasize the concepts of nonself and impermanence.

I'm a bit confused about the contradicting of the statements above. Did I understand them correctly or is there a perspective I haven't considered yet? I would love to hear everyone's opinion on this. Thank you!

Disclaimer: English is not my first language so please excuse the grammar and spelling mistakes. I'm also a new Buddism practitioner so please excuse my lack of knowledge in the post or in further discussion in the comment section. I truly appreciate your opinion so please speak your mind. Thank you :)

Edit: Dear friends, thank you so much for taking the time to share your knowledge with me. I have to eat dinner now and I don't think I will answer any comment for awhile.