One of the noteworthy developments in the realm of
multicultural and human diversity studies is the emergence of 'critical white
studies.' This evolving field aims to shift the focus away from the entrenched
centrality of whiteness in society, subjecting it to the rigorous examination
applied to other ethnic and racial minority groups in the United States.
Roediger, as indicated by the title of his book, emphasizes the imperative of
acknowledging that white is a color—a concept often overlooked when using terms
like 'people of color.' This color, intricately linked to power, privilege, and
the intricate racial divisions, extends its influence in nuanced and complex
ways, surpassing the apparent surface.
Roediger's extensive knowledge on this subject spans a
wide spectrum, delving into captivating nuances of American history and
exploring various facets of contemporary pop culture, encompassing realms like
rock music, movies, hip-hop magazines, and television. His writing unfolds at a
brisk pace, navigating unexpected directions that challenge readers to explore
unanticipated perspectives.
In Chapter 1, Roediger inaugurates his project by
debunking assertions from both scholarly and popular circles that argue for the
obsolescence of the concept of race. He counters this perspective by pointing
to the blending and blurring of racial and ethnic boundaries in society.
Notably, the chapter features a full-color reproduction of 'Eve,' a
computer-generated representation blending different American racial groups,
showcased on the 1993 Time magazine cover titled "The new face of
America." Roediger's primary critique of the 'beyond race' argument lies
not in its lack of appeal from a broad humanistic standpoint but in its
perceived shallowness, lacking a robust engagement with U.S. history, social
context, and a critical examination of how power has historically been equated
with whiteness. This historical entanglement with whiteness, Roediger argues,
hinders genuine progress in race relations, emphasizing the importance of
confronting these complexities rather than celebrating a vision of social
justice that remains incomplete for too many.
In the ensuing dozen chapters, the narrative takes
readers on a tumultuous journey through a range of topics. One focal point is
an exploration of how white politicians employ coded communications to make
racist appeals to conservative constituencies, carefully avoiding explicit
references to people of color while strongly implying the need to control them.
Examples, such as George Bush's emblematic 'Willie Horton' ad from 1988,
illustrate this tactic. The discussion extends to the reflection of white power
in Rush Limbaugh's post-minstrel TV show antics, a critique of how debates on
affirmative action are framed to under-acknowledge white beneficiaries like
women, veterans, and disabled individuals, and an examination of how ostensibly
race-neutral politics can inadvertently perpetuate racism. Notably, a chapter
delves into O.J. Simpson's pre-murder trial strategy for success, involving
distancing himself from the black community while projecting a non-threatening
'colorless' media image.
While many of these chapters succeed in bringing white
studies beyond academic confines and into the lived experiences of readers,
some chapters delve into esoteric topics that may prove challenging to follow.
For instance, the exploration of the pursuit of whiteness in the context of the
Lincoln-Douglas presidential debates may be intricate, and longer pieces on
John Brown's non-white radicalism and a 1929 anti-Eurocentric surrealist map of
the world may convey single ideas that might not warrant entire book chapters.
This raises questions about the intended audience. On one hand, the assumption
of considerable reader general knowledge and the occasionally abstract writing
style might make the book seem less accessible as a trade publication. On the
other hand, only certain chapters appear suitable for a college classroom
setting. Notably, two excellent chapters trace the evolution of
turn-of-the-century European immigrants from a status 'in between' white and
non-white to fully white and powerful, providing valuable insights into
historical shifts in racial identity.
No comments:
Post a Comment