Critical White Studies Part I ~ White Privilege

Critical White Studies Part I ~ White Privilege

ByJorge D. H. Prosperi

A controversial topic at the table of American discourse is always the construct of “Whiteness.”
A civil discussion requires a semblance of historical knowledge, context, language, critical research and thinking.
These are the tools that provide veracity, confidence and consideration of different perspectives and perceptions.
These tools also provide emotional intelligence and moral courage to stay the course, continue the conversation and even enhance it.
The discourse is not a walk in the park and can be personally exhaustive and painful.
But to fear critically examining and dissecting the tenets of -isms and phobias only speaks to the desperation of keeping such fallacies alive.
The five part series provides awareness, insights and possible solutions that remain in our hands.
The choice to engage or not has always been ours.

Five Part Series ~
Critical White Studies 1: White Privilege
Critical White Studies II: The Knapsack
Critical White Studies III: White Capital
Critical White Studies IV: Aversive Racism by the Well Intentioned
Critical White Studies V: White Loss

Critical White Studies Part II ~ The Knapsack of Privileges

Critical White Studies Part II ~ The Knapsack of Privileges

ByJorge D. H. Prosperi

“White privilege is like an invisible weightless knapsack of special provisions, maps, passports, codebooks, visas, clothes, tools and blank checks. Describing White privilege makes one newly accountable. As we in Women’s Studies work to reveal male privilege and ask men to give up some of their power, so one who writes abut white privilege must ask – Having described it, what will I do to lessen or end it?”
– Peggy Macintosh

Five Part Series ~
Critical White Studies I: White Privilege
Critical White Studies II: The Knapsack
Critical White Studies III: White Capital
Critical White Studies IV: Aversive Racism by the Well Intentioned
Critical White Studies V: White Loss

Critical White Studies Part III ~ White Capital

Critical White Studies Part III ~ White Capital

ByJorge D. H. Prosperi

What has value and worth in our lives?
What has significance, capital and access to power, control and dominance?
How about the “capital” of our identity and that of others?

Part III of Critical White Studies provides some answers and of course, critical questions that may linger.

Five Part Series ~
Critical White Studies I: White Privilege
Critical White Studies II: White Knapsack
Critical White Studies III: White Capital
Critical White Studies IV: Aversive Racism by the Well Intentioned
Critical White Studies V: White Loss

Critical White Studies Part IV ~ Aversive Racism by the Well-Intentioned

Critical White Studies Part IV ~ Aversive Racism by the Well-Intentioned

ByJorge D. H. Prosperi

“Hey, slavery happened long, long ago!” “We were not there!” “We do not own slaves!”
“We no longer lynch anyone!”
“I harbor no ill will towards anyone.” “We are now a color blind society.” “We are a melting pot.”
“I do not believe or support White Supremacy, Domestic Terrorism and Hate Groups!”
“I understand that all lives matter.” “What more do you want from White America?”
One of the most difficult concepts to explain is “aversive racism by the well intentioned.”

Five Part Series ~
Critical White Studies I: White Privilege
Critical White Studies II: White Knapsack
Critical White Studies III: White Capital
Critical White Studies IV: Aversive Racism by the Well Intentioned
Critical White Studies V: White Loss

Critical White Studies Part V ~ White Loss

Critical White Studies Part V ~ White Loss

ByJorge D. H. Prosperi

Diversity has always been with us.
So why the division on inclusivity and equity?
Why the lingering fear by some “white people” of losing their power, control and of being replaced?
Why the contrived “fear mongering” meant to divide, exclude and suppress?

A Democracy calls for all citizens to be included, treated with dignity and empowered in order to enhance the quality of life for all.

So why the angst with “white loss”?

“The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” Franklin D. Roosevelt 1933