White supremacy

Definition

White supremacy is a social, political, and economic ideology that maintains the belief that white people are superior to those of other racial backgrounds, leading to systemic discrimination and oppression against non-white individuals. This ideology manifests in various forms, including institutional racism, cultural hegemony, and social practices that privilege white individuals over others. Understanding this concept is crucial for recognizing the ways in which power dynamics operate within society, particularly through the lens of white privilege.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. White supremacy has roots in colonialism and slavery, which established hierarchies based on race that persist today.
2. The ideology is perpetuated through social norms, media representation, and educational systems that often favor white perspectives.
3. White supremacy can be both overt, such as hate groups promoting racial violence, and covert, such as policies that disproportionately affect non-white communities.
4. The concept of white privilege helps to explain the unearned advantages white individuals experience in various aspects of life due to systemic racism.
5. Combating white supremacy requires not only addressing individual attitudes but also dismantling the systems that perpetuate inequality.

Review Questions

• How does white supremacy relate to institutional racism in society?
  • White supremacy is closely linked to institutional racism because both concepts deal with systems that perpetuate inequality based on race. Institutional racism encompasses policies and practices within organizations that result in disadvantages for people of color. White supremacy reinforces these systems by legitimizing beliefs and actions that maintain white dominance, making it difficult for marginalized groups to access equal opportunities and resources.
• In what ways does cultural hegemony support the ideology of white supremacy?
  • Cultural hegemony supports white supremacy by promoting norms and values that prioritize white experiences while marginalizing other racial and cultural perspectives. This dominance is evident in media representation, literature, and educational curricula, which often reflect and reinforce a white-centric viewpoint. As a result, these cultural narratives can shape public perception, reinforce stereotypes, and perpetuate systemic inequalities that benefit white individuals.
• Evaluate the impact of white supremacy on systemic oppression and how it affects marginalized communities.
  • White supremacy significantly impacts systemic oppression by creating and maintaining structures that disadvantage marginalized communities across various domains such as education, employment, and healthcare. This ideology fosters environments where discriminatory practices can thrive, leading to unequal treatment and access to resources for people of color. Understanding this relationship is essential for addressing the root causes of inequality and advocating for meaningful change that dismantles oppressive systems.

Related terms

Institutional Racism: Policies and practices within institutions that result in the systematic disadvantage of certain racial groups.

Cultural Hegemony:

The dominance of one cultural group over others, often maintained through societal norms and values that marginalize alternative cultures.

Systemic Oppression: A form of oppression that is embedded in the normal practices of a society, affecting marginalized groups at multiple levels.