White Supremacy

Definition

White supremacy is the belief, theory, or doctrine that the white race is inherently superior to all other races and that white people should have control over people of other races. It is a form of racism that has been used to justify the oppression, exploitation, and subjugation of non-white populations throughout history.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. White supremacy has been used to justify the colonization, enslavement, and genocide of non-white populations throughout history.
2. Feminist theories of ethics challenge the patriarchal and racist foundations of traditional ethical frameworks, which have historically privileged the perspectives and experiences of white men.
3. Intersectional feminist approaches recognize the intersections of race, gender, and other social identities in shaping experiences of oppression and marginalization.
4. White feminists have been critiqued for centering the experiences of white women and failing to adequately address the unique challenges faced by women of color.
5. Decolonial and anti-racist feminist theories seek to dismantle the white supremacist and patriarchal structures that have dominated the field of ethics.

Review Questions

• Explain how white supremacy has influenced the development of traditional ethical frameworks and theories.
  • Traditional ethical theories, such as Kantian deontology and utilitarian approaches, have been critiqued by feminist thinkers for being rooted in the perspectives and experiences of white, male, Western philosophers. These frameworks have often failed to adequately address the unique ethical concerns and lived realities of marginalized groups, including women and people of color, who have been systematically excluded from the dominant discourse. Feminist theories of ethics challenge the white supremacist and patriarchal foundations of mainstream ethical thought, seeking to center the voices and experiences of those who have been oppressed and marginalized.
• Describe how an intersectional feminist approach to ethics can address the complexities of white supremacy and its intersection with other forms of oppression.
  • Intersectional feminist theories recognize that experiences of oppression and marginalization are shaped by the interplay of multiple, intersecting social identities, such as race, gender, class, sexuality, and disability. This approach acknowledges that the unique challenges faced by women of color, for example, cannot be fully understood or addressed by simply adding race or gender to the analysis. Instead, intersectional frameworks examine how white supremacy, patriarchy, and other systems of domination and privilege mutually reinforce each other, creating complex, overlapping forms of oppression. By centering the perspectives and lived experiences of those at the margins, intersectional feminist ethics seeks to dismantle the white supremacist and patriarchal structures that have historically dominated the field of ethics.
• Evaluate how decolonial and anti-racist feminist theories can contribute to the transformation of ethical frameworks and the promotion of social justice.
  • Decolonial and anti-racist feminist theories are essential in the ongoing effort to dismantle the white supremacist and patriarchal foundations of traditional ethical thought. These approaches recognize that the dominant ethical frameworks have been shaped by the colonial and imperialist legacies of the Global North, privileging the perspectives and experiences of white, Western, male philosophers. Decolonial and anti-racist feminist theories seek to center the voices and knowledge systems of marginalized communities, challenging the Eurocentrism and racial biases inherent in mainstream ethical discourse. By foregrounding the experiences of those who have been oppressed and excluded, these theories can contribute to the development of more inclusive, equitable, and socially just ethical frameworks that are better equipped to address the complex realities of a globalized world.

Related terms

Racism: The belief that race is a fundamental determinant of human traits and capacities, and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race.

Privilege: Unearned advantages or benefits that an individual or group enjoys solely due to their social status or membership in a dominant group.

Systemic Oppression: The institutionalized dominance of one group over others, embedded in political, economic, and social structures, which limits the opportunities and agency of the oppressed group.