Fundamental Approaches and Reasons for Studying Whiteness Race and Culture

STUDYING WHITENESS
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Studying Whiteness
Whether to study whiteness or not is a critical aspect that has brought a lot of debate in contemporary society. Whiteness studies refer to understanding structures that result in white privilege by considering specific elements such as race and culture (Doane and Bonilla-Silva, 2013). According to Garner (2017), the whiteness study also explores specific social phenomena resulting from the whites’ group behaviors, perceptions, and societal compositions. It is also directed towards social construction and sociological aspects of the white people. Some of the experts in the whiteness studies include Frankenberg Ruth, Allen Theodore, Baldwin James, and Dubois (McLaren, 2017). The studies on whiteness heavily emerged from the 1990s with different disciplines. Anthologies and different academic courses also emerged to ensure compelling study on whiteness. Different debates have arisen concerning whiteness due to different ideologies and approaches considered during such studies. Additionally, opponents argue that whiteness should not be studied since it promotes racism (Chen, 2017). Other opponents also stress that it gives white people power compared to black, a process that enhances discrimination. Therefore, there must be adequate justifications for studying whiteness instead of indirectly promoting white supremacy. Different areas such as sociological aspects, historical and cultural transformation must also be considered during the study. The paper provides adequate evidence for studying whiteness and elaborate approaches that should be considered during the study.
Reasons for Studying Whiteness
Based on personal opinion, I firmly believe whiteness should be studied. Studying whiteness does not mean that white supremacy should be enhanced. However, it should be structured to promote the importance of racial study rather than focusing on white dominancy. According to Applebaum (2016), whiteness is crucial since learners understand their race. Unfortunately, many scholars complain about whiteness studies instead of researching black life studies. All complaints have heavily been directed towards the whiteness study as a promoter of racism instead of focusing on the suitable ways to promote other racial studies. It is necessary to encourage whiteness studies since it creates a framework that focuses on understanding different roots of whiteness. White readers and learners understand their roots through whiteness studies, and it becomes easy to appreciate other races. According to Allen (1994), whiteness studies is not only aligned towards racism but a framework of understanding all race. Therefore, many complaints about whiteness studies tend to be baseless and racially rooted. It is necessary to view whiteness studies as any other subject other than linking to racially minded individuals and groups.
Additionally, it is essential to study whiteness since it creates awareness to the whites and other groups, which would require learning about races. For instance, appreciating the whiteness study allows the scholars to focus on other races. It creates a better framework for other races to reengineer their racia...