Basic definitions of white supremacy, white privilege, white fragility and white responsibility
As an American born man who was raised in Canada by Filipino parents, I have not experienced the extent of racism that many Black people, Indigenous peoples and many people of colour have experienced. For that I am very privileged. That being said, I have been both a perpetrator, victim and bystander of racism. As such, I must work hard to actively fight against racism — a tool of oppression — and the way I believe I can is through conversation and education. I continue to converse, to read, watch, and listen, and am learning and unlearning many things regarding bias, racism, education, and communication. I am no way an expert. Please correct me if I’ve written anything that is questionable, inaccurate or misinforming. I’m prepared to be wrong, and want to learn more. But for now, these are the definitions I’ve come to learn and I thought I’d share them, especially with white people as this may help you come to terms with your role in all of this (spoiler: It’s a huge role):
White Supremacy…
is an ideology with the premise that white people are a superior race. The belief is that white people are stronger, more accomplished and thus more entitled to the land, power, wealth and status that they’ve worked hard to achieve. Many people have the misconception that white supremacy is an ideology reserved for or exclusively held by the alt-right or groups like the KKK. This is wrong. The western world, beginning with colonialism, the eventual development of capitalism, and the creation of the Americas, was built with white supremacist ideology as a foundational premise and as such, white people (and people with white complexion) have had a leg up since then. Consequently, this ideology is pervasive in all the systems, structures and cultures that were created henceforth. This is most evidently manifested in examples such as the Atlantic Slave Trade, Jim Crow, segregation, redlining, racial biases, police brutality, media representation, microaggressions, racial bias and racism in several forms. As a more progressive thinker than your ancestors, you might not believe in white supremacy, but that does not mean it does not exist as an ideology that has influenced so much and continues to do so to this day (including you), in both conscious and subconscious ways, and in both obvious and insidious ways. It can be argued that our institutions, whether we recognize it or not, our systems, our structures, our policies, our world views and our culture are in some way influenced by white supremacist ideology (if you want more information on this, please comment). In short, white supremacy has led to white privilege.
White Privilege…
is the impact and effect of white supremacy. Because white supremacy ideology is pervasive in our systems, structures, biases, beliefs, and cultures… white people (and white passing people) have benefited from and continue to benefit from white supremacist ideology. In short, whiteness is the standard, and anything other than white is substandard or “other.” In other words, by virtue of being white you have advantages that many do not. Moreover, you are not hindered by many of the disadvantages others are hindered by, by virtue of not being white, or being of another less superior colour (If you need more information or evidence of this, please comment below). And while you, a white person, may vehemently disagree with the ideology of white supremacy, you nonetheless benefit from it, and that is what white privilege is. It is an inevitable fact that as a white person, you do not have to suffer many of the disadvantages that many people of colour suffer… but please know that simply having white privilege does not make you a bad person. And though recognizing your privilege might make you feel guilt or shame for being white, you must not wallow in that guilt. Instead you must recognize that the guilt comes from a place of knowing something is unfair and unjust (the systems and world-views white supremacy has created). You must accept the fact that you have white privilege and have benefited from white supremacist ideologies. Thus, you must acknowledge that your privileges as a person were bought/given as a result of the oppression of others (if you need more information on this, please comment). This is difficult because of white fragility.
White Fragility…
is the inevitable response many people experience when confronted with the reality that they are benefactors of a white supremacist system, a system that has oppressed so many non whites. They feel guilt, shame, denial, anger, defensiveness. These feelings are understandable. Even justifiable. Especially if you are one that vehemently disagrees with white supremacist ideology and do not consciously believe you are racist or have perpetuated racism in anyway. In fact, you may even be someone who has actively fought racism, and as such, might feel completely at odds with the suggestion that you have benefited from white privilege and the oppression of others, or that you have participated in racism. The idea that you have participated in racism may be at complete odds with who you believe you are; the idea of you as a racist or someone who has participated in or perpetuated racism is uncomfortable to say the least, as it feels like a lie about your identity. The cognitive dissonance or shame of this might make you feel offended, angry, in denial and perhaps focus your attention on proving your innocence (that you are not racist) or dismissing the suggestion that you are guilty of racism. This response makes you dismiss the reality that racism does in fact hurt many people, that systemic racism is real, that your actions may have helped cause hurt, and that the existence of white supremacy ideology is the root of all of it. Your own insecurities about your white privilege and the fact that you’ve benefited from the oppression of others, can unfortunately make you feel very hurt, ashamed, angry and defensive but these feelings will only get in the way of truly recognizing and understanding the hurt experienced by the victims of this oppressive system, which will only in turn serve to perpetuate the oppression. Because instead of focusing on the actual issue (that people are oppressed by racism), you will focus on your own hurt, shame, and insecurity, and will focus on needing to feel better, as opposed to helping the oppressed. In short, instead of helping those who need help, you will be licking your own wounds. What can you do about this?
White Responsibility…
is what you need to have. Instead of wallowing in guilt and shame, and feeling paralyzed and hopeless about the oppressive system we live in… and instead of fighting back in anger, and trying to convince others and yourself of your innocence in the oppressive systems, a white person must take responsibility. Instead of feeling guilt… feel responsibility. Recognize that your privilege is a power and instead of feeling shame about it, use it to dismantle the system that has victimized all of us (including you). Work towards lifting up other white people out of their shame and guilt, and call them to be accountable and take responsibility…To work towards building a society that does not discriminate, that has a level playing field, and one in which your privileges are no longer exclusive to you. This is a challenge. A great difficulty. Especially because the road to realizing this begins with overcoming your shame and then giving up your privileges for the sake of creating a more just and equal society. You have the most to lose, so to speak. The saying, “with great power comes great responsibility” is more true than ever. You have a responsibility to make things better. Realize that racism, specifically, racism that is rooted in white supremacy, is a white problem that needs to be fixed by white people, not by the people oppressed by it.
This can apply to all people who benefit from white supremacy (even non-white people of colour). And remember, you are not a saviour but an ally! White people, please learn more about this…we are depending on you to. Don’t be like the person in the comic below:
