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These interviews about anti-racism help explain America in 2020

(Washington Post illustration; photo by Bryan R. Smith/AFP/Getty Images)

To understand what’s behind the Black Lives Matter demonstrations around the country you need to understand the past — and the present.

In these episodes of my podcast “Cape Up,” Robin DiAngelo introduces us to “white fragility” and how it perpetuates white supremacy. Carol Anderson carries the argument forward to show how that fragility has manifested itself as “white rage” throughout American history. And Jonathan Metzl talks about how people are “dying of whiteness” rather than support policies they view as also helping minorities.

You can listen to these interviews below and subscribe to “Cape Up,” my weekly podcast, to get future episodes.

Robin DiAngelo (Gabriel Solis)

“Racism is a white problem. It was created by white people. It is wielded by white people, it benefits white people.”

Interview with Robin DiAngelo, the author of “White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk about Racism.”

Carol Anderson (Stephen Nowland/Emory University)

“For every action of African-American advancement, there’s a reaction, a backlash.”

Interview with Carol Anderson, the author of “White Rage: The Unspoken Truth of Our Racial Divide.”

Jonathan Metzl (John Russell/Vanderbilt University)

“To be white in America ... means to have to block the advances of other groups.”

Interview with Jonathan Metzl, the author of “Dying of Whiteness: How the Politics of Racial Resentment Is Killing America’s Heartland.”

What changes do you hope will come out of protests and debates about police and race? Write to The Post.

Read more:

Jonathan Capehart: From ‘white fragility’ to ‘white rage’: The broken promise of America

Voices of the Movement: Stories from civil rights leaders who changed America

Radley Balko: There’s overwhelming evidence that the criminal-justice system is racist. Here’s the proof.

Karen Attiah: Monuments of white supremacy obscure the history of colonial crimes. That’s why they must come down.

Muriel Bowser: The protests show why D.C. statehood matters

The Post’s View: A black pastor was arrested simply for defending himself on his own property

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