Over Racism

“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

“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

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