So lately as in this year or so I have heard the term “whiteness” always used in the pejorative, but never knew 100% what they were talking about. I was watching a show on the BBC were one person said whiteness just isn’t working anymore, so I started digging to find out what this meant and finally ran up on this from the ‘The National Museum of African American History & Culture’. I am sure I am behind the times on this word so apologies if this is a rehash.
As I was reading the charts of what whiteness was it started coming clear that whiteness is western civilization. Rugged individualism, the nuclear family, the scientific method including rational thinking and quantitative emphasis. Hard work bring the key to success and a justice system being based on English common law.
I posted the pics below, what is it that the left thinks is negative about whiteness that is laid out by the ‘The National Museum of African American History & Culture’ because what I see and one can correct me if I am wrong is a definition of what western civilization is. I had thought the way it was being used it was just a negative term for white people but when I read it laid out it seems a negative towards the west.
Take the idea of rugged individualism and work ethic. The assumption that if a white person is successful that they got themselves there. If a minority is successful it is because of some minority hire.
Or an assumption about the family structure of white people as opposed to black people.
Assumptions about culture and race is what I see this as a critique of.