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Studies In Whiteness
White
people appreciate their identity.
Black studies have become an acceptable part of American life
with many researching the effects racism and lack of opportunity have
on people's lives. Now a growing body of research is studying the attitudes
and beliefs of white people, especially in the context of race relations.
The field of Whiteness Studies has its own conferences, university classes
and even 'Whiteness Scholars.'
The University of Minnesota recently held what was said to be the first
national telephone survey of white people discussing their concept of
racial identity as part of a controversial field of scholarly research
called 'Critical Whiteness Studies,' which switches some of the issues
surrounding race relations on to the white majority.
Researchers found it surprising when the survey revealed that 74% of
white Americans interviewed said that their racial identity was important,
believing that most white people simply took their race for granted.
However another way to view these results is that most white people appreciate
their white identity because they are aware of how difficult life in
the US can be if you are not white.
A similar study in 2003 of 2,000 people of various races revealed similar
findings. The participants, who consisted of 1,000 white, 500 black,
400 Hispanic and 100 other members of racial minorities were interviewed
by telephone.
Three quarters of the white people interviewed and 91 percent of the
racial minorities, said their cultures must be preserved. But only a
small minority in each group belonged to organisations dedicated to that
goal.
Fewer than 50 percent of white respondents thought U.S. laws and institutions
contributed to disadvantages for black people, whilst 81 percent of minority
groups believed they did.
Many of the professors and critics that come together to discuss whiteness
seek to eliminate the social, political and cultural advantages given
to whites in American society. They argue that these advantages seem
invisible to most whites, but obvious to others.
Courtney Walls, a white graduate student at Howard University said, 'I don’t think all white people are aware of their advantage. Because of my work in social work, I’m aware. 'Some people in my family aren’t aware of the prejudices and struggles other people have had to endure, so they’re ignorant that they have any type of upper-hand. But I do think most wealthy and informed whites are aware. It varies.'
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