Whiteness theory

Whiteness theory is a field within whiteness studies concerned with what white identity means in terms of social, political, racial, economic, culture, etc. Whiteness theory posits that when some Western societies make whiteness central to their respective national and cultural identities, their white populations may become blind to the privilege associated with White identity. This blindness helps preserve positive self-presentation and silence the harm caused by the whiteness, which is commonly described as maintaining white innocence. The theory examines how this blindness may lead white groups to absolve themselves of responsibility while excluding, otherizing, and harming non-white individuals and communities.

Whiteness theory is an offshoot of critical race theory that sees race as a social construct. It posits that whiteness is "practiced" by employing "visible systems of whiteness" that white people use to maintain power to benefit only white people. Critical whiteness theory (CWT) positions whiteness as the default of North American and European cultures. As a result of this default, many white people are not directly aware of the advantages of being white that are conferred upon them through ongoing social practices. Academics who study CWT describe these practices as the "performativity of whiteness," which refers to the historical and dominant socio-cultural processes that uphold whiteness. When this performativity aims to perpetuate racial privilege, assumed racial superiority, and secure the acceptance of dominance, it is referred to as white supremacy. Stemming from the lack of cultural awareness, humanity, and empathy with racial others as a result of being white, whiteness theory looks at the social, power, and economic challenges that arise from disregard or denial of white privilege, and the use of strategies of whiteness to protect white innocence and reassert white space, also known as white degeneracy.