“Why do we have to call it white supremacy? Wouldn’t it be received better if we called it something else?”
“The term white privilege is too off-putting. Can’t we use a softer term?”
“You talk a lot about whiteness. Do you hate white people?”
I could paint a sign on my forehead that I don’t hate white people, but I’m doubtful that would help. We could change all the words above, replacing white supremacy, white privilege, and whiteness, but we'd still need accurate terms to describe the concepts used. The revamped terms would likely still be off-putting and threatening.
Why do you think that is? How does this resistance to naming these concepts affect our workplaces, our friendships, our faith communities, our narratives about people?
We can’t fight racism or sexism—or any form of oppression—without accurate terms. Oppression, racial and otherwise, requires control of the message about oppressed peoples and their resistance.
I’ve facilitated sessions with thousands of adults to unpack White Supremacy Culture by Tema Okun. Inevitably participants ask “why did you change the definition? It used to mean the KKK and now you say white supremacy is a part of EVERYTHING in the United States?!” We spend significant energy unpacking concepts like racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion. We consider definitions we grew up with, and who those previous definitions protect. For example, this definition of white supremacy, as defined by David Gillborne, is very different from “just” the KKK and overt hate groups.
Source: Greenpeace. Original graphic created by Ellen Tuzzolo.
White supremacy is "A political, economic and cultural system in which whites overwhelmingly control power and material resources, conscious and unconscious ideas of white superiority and entitlement are widespread, and relations of white dominance and non-white subordination are daily reenacted across a broad array of institutions and social settings."
What words jump out at you?
Many examples are provided in this triangle graphic, defining components of white supremacy culture that are overt (above the surface) and covert (deemed unacceptable and yet still very, very present).
How do you see these showing up in the US, in your state, in your community, your life?
Another example of varying terms is illustrated in the definitions of racism and racist.
"Typical mainstream definition of racist: An individual who consciously does not like people based on race and is intentionally mean to them."
- Robin DiAngelo
This definition serves to protect a racist system or person. People can be murdered in public, or in their beds at night sleeping, recorded for the world to see—and still not be held accountable, because of the power structure they are in and the ability for their acts to not be considered racist, according to the above definition.
Instead, consider these definitions:
Racism: Two elements are required in order for racism to exist: racial prejudice, and social power to codify and enforce this prejudice into an entire society. - Patricia Bidol, 1970
Racist: One who is supporting a racist policy through their actions or inaction or expressing a racist idea. - Ibram X Kendi, How to be an Antiracist, 2019
A common understanding of terms about a problem is integrally necessary to be able to do something about that problem. What if two doctors chose to use different definitions of anatomy, yet they were both performing a surgical operation on you? If two airplane pilots, flying the same plane, used different terms for plane components and gauges, would you risk your life in that airplane?
This misalignment of definitions, particularly using old definitions to protect the oppressive systems, is evidenced every day. Texan legislators work to take anti-racism out of school curriculum by inciting fear and protection for white youth; liberation movements like Black Lives Matter are vilified as being Marxist; and Critical Race Theory is intentionally misrepresented to protect the status quo. Growing up, I didn’t know the true history of the Black Panthers. I thought Malcom X was a villain. I didn’t know Billie Holiday was hunted down and eventually died because she refused to stop singing Strange Fruit. I was enculturated to believe lies about native peoples and dismiss their genocide.
Where do you see the vilification of liberation movements and leaders?
After George Floyd's murder last year, and the ensuing rush to write glorious public statements, white leaders everywhere have been trying to figure out what racial justice means in their organization, or not. Call things what they are without hesitation or toning it down in an attempt to make our words more palatable. Otherwise, we are protecting oppression and dominance.
Fellow leaders and learners, I wish you courage and resilience for the journey.
Peace to you,
What I’m Reading & Watching
Regarding This Topic:
- Considerations for EDI and Anti-Racism Work at Orchestras Jessica Schmidt, Principal Consultant - Orchestrate Inclusion August 2020 (This applies to all contexts, not just symphony orchestras.)
- Black Lives Matter Fights Disinformation To Keep The Movement Strong – via National Public Radio
- Ask the Expert: What is critical race theory and why is it under attack in our schools? Via Michigan State University
- What critical race theory is -- and isn't via Faith Karimi on CNN
- The Miseducation of White Children: The attacks on critical race theory are just another attempt to prevent this country from reckoning with its racist past and present—by keeping white kids ignorant. By Elie Mystal
- The United States vs. Billie Holiday - Trailer (Official) • A Hulu Original
Questions for Consideration
Regarding This Topic:
- What did you learn about anti-oppression movements growing up, that you unlearned and relearned? How does that impact you today?
- Do you know of dozens of white folks that marched for justice last summer after George Floyd’s murder? What are they doing now?
- What conflicting definitions do you see evidenced? How do you know which to believe?
Catch-up on Previous
Leadership & Learning Topics:
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