White Supremacy and Racism

Module 4
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Module 4
Question 1
In her article "Why white supremacy?" Elizabeth 'Betita' Martinez argues that white supremacy is a systemic issue that profoundly affects society. She also suggests that using the term racism is not enough to capture the depth and complexity of this problem. Martinez asserts that racism is not just an individual problem but a systemic one. It is not just a matter of personal beliefs or actions; it is a set of societal structures that uphold and perpetuate inequalities. These structures include laws, policies, and cultural norms that benefit white people at the expense of people of color.
Martinez provides three reasons why she believes white supremacy should be used instead of racism. Firstly, she argues that using the term white supremacy acknowledges the historical and ongoing legacy of colonialism, imperialism, and enslavement. Secondly, she suggests that white supremacy is a more accurate term for how power is distributed in society. Lastly, she argues that using the term white supremacy recognizes the intersectional nature of oppression, where different forms of discrimination intersect and reinforce each other.
Martinez's first reason is that using the term white supremacy recognizes the historical and ongoing legacy of colonialism, imperialism, and enslavement. She contends that these practices have created a global system that values whiteness and oppresses people of color. This legacy continues to shape the way we live, work, and interact with each other.
The second reason Martinez uses the term white supremacy is that it accurately describes how power is distributed in society. She argues that white supremacy is not just about individual acts of discrimination but a systemic problem that benefits white people in ways that are often invisible to them.
Lastly, Martinez suggests that using the term white supremacy recognizes the intersectional nature of oppression. She contends that different forms of discrimination, such as racism, sexism, and homophobia, intersect and reinforce each other. She argues that by using the term white supremacy, we can better understand how these different forms of oppression work together to create inequality.
Question 2
In her article "Why white supremacy?" Elizabeth 'Betita' Martinez answers how white supremacy maintains and defends a system of wealth, power, and privilege. She argues that the ideology of whiteness is crucial in maintaining this system. Martinez explains that the ideology of whiteness is a social construct created to justify the exploitation and domination of people of color. The idea of white superiority was used to legitimize colonialism, slavery, and other forms of oppression. White people have internalized t...