“White fatigue” is a concept introduced by Dr. Joseph Flynn, an educator and scholar specializing in race, education, and cultural studies. In his book, White Fatigue: Rethinking Resistance for Social Justice, Dr. Flynn explores how white fatigue shows up in conversations about race, privilege, and systemic racism.

At its core, white fatigue refers to the exhaustion, frustration, and resistance that white individuals may experience when engaging in sustained anti-racism work. Dr. Flynn highlights how this fatigue often manifests as:

• Defensive behaviors.
• A lack of long-term commitment to anti-racist work.
• Feelings of discomfort or avoidance during difficult conversations.

These responses don’t just hinder progress—they also place additional burdens on Black and marginalized communities, who are left to carry the weight of justice work.

"White Fatigue Is Built on Black Resilience" myisha t hll

Dr. Flynn’s concept resonates deeply with my own observations in this work. White fatigue also  thrives on the assumption that Black and marginalized people will keep showing up, holding space, and doing the labor—no matter what.

When white individuals retreat into fatigue, they often default to rugged individualism, stepping away from the collective under the guise of “boundaries” or “self-care.”

But for those of us living with the daily realities of systemic racism, disengagement isn’t an option. The work doesn’t pause because it’s hard or uncomfortable—it’s a constant part of our survival.

Boundaries vs. Community

Boundaries are essential. They are a necessary part of self-preservation, especially in work that challenges systems of oppression.

But boundaries don’t have to mean disengaging from the collective. They don’t have to mean centering individual comfort over community care.

The problem arises when boundaries are used as an excuse to step away from anti-racism work altogether. When people retreat in the name of self-care, they leave behind those of us who don’t have the privilege to look away.

For Black and marginalized people, boundaries aren’t a way to escape the weight of racism—they’re a way to manage it while continuing to survive.

Community Over Rugged Individualism

Rugged individualism—the idea that we should prioritize independence and self-reliance above all else—has no place in the work of anti-racism. This isn’t work that can be done in isolation. It requires collective action, accountability, and care.

When white fatigue drives people to retreat into individualism, the burden of justice work falls even heavier on those of us who live with its realities every day.

The Call to Stay

If you’re someone who has felt overwhelmed by the weight of liberation work, I want to invite you to reflect on this:

• How can you honor your boundaries while staying in the work?
• How can you center community care alongside self-care?
• How can you resist the urge to retreat into individualism and instead lean into the collective?

Liberation isn’t just about dismantling systems—it’s about showing up for one another, especially when it’s hard.

A Commitment to Collective Care

For those of us who can’t look away, this work is not optional. It’s a daily reality. And we need those in white bodies to stay—not perfectly, not endlessly, but consistently.

Boundaries should be a bridge, not a wall. They should allow us to care for ourselves and remain connected to the collective.

White fatigue may be a reality, but it doesn’t have to be the end of the story. Together, we can choose community over comfort, care over isolation, and collective action over individual retreat.

With love and accountability,
myisha t hill