What does it mean to be White? Presented by Sonia Cavazos How would you answer this? Youtube videos: White.wmv What does it mean to be White in America

Whites say: denial, defensive, resentment conflicted about being other white ethnicities such as Italian annoyed by question illiminate racial differences do not think about it question stereotypes whites color isn’t important people are individuals being white is unimportant

Others State being white make people feel superior strong reaction about being mistaken as white they don’t admit they are wrong think they know all the answers they think they are never wrong don’t have to apologize views minorities as less competent you have the power to define reality deceive yourself into believing you’re not prejudice, privilege oblivious to advantages of being white.

The Invisible whiteness of being Whiteness is most visible to people of color when it is denied evokes puzzlement or negative reactions, and is equated with normalcy Not seldom a day when racial ethnicities are not reminded of being racially and culturally different from those around us Most white Americans have gone through a process of acculturation and assimilation

Understanding the dynamics of Whiteness perceive themselves as unbiased, do not harbor racist thoughts or feelings, assume working towards social justice, conscious desire to better life for those less fortunate. chronic exposure to ethnocentric monoculturalism – White supremacy difficult not to inherit the biases, prejudices, misinformation, deficit portrayals and stereotypes of their forebears don’t see it as a cultural system because dominant cultural norm in US, don’t accept their own racial identity

Understanding the dynamics of Whiteness white culture is omnipresent white is so embedded that Whites cannot see their beliefs, values, and behaviors as a distinct cultural group Invisible veil can unintentionally be manifested in therapy and cause harmful consequences to minority clients Unintentional racists are unaware of the harmful consequences of their behavior hard for them to see themselves as racists, they deny it

Models of White Racial Identity Development less aware subjects were of White identity the more racism more aware the greater multicultural competence, more positive opinions towards minority groups, better therapeutic alliance Higher level of mature interpersonal relationships, better sense of personal well being Women were more likely than men to display higher levels of White consciousness and less likely to be racist, correlated with experiences of discrimination and prejudice.

The Hardiman White Racial Identity Development Model naivete – lack of social consciousness acceptance – conscious belief in democratic ideal resistance – challenge assumptions of White superiority, denial of racism and discrimination, can be painful, uncomfortable, conflicting, events shatter the individuals denial system redefinition – realize relation to ones racial heritage, honestly confronting ones biases and prejudices, accept responsibility for ones Whiteness.

Cont…….. Internalization – form a new social and personal identity, commitment to social action

Limitations to Model select and limited sample makes for generalizations autobiographies of White Americans are not truly representative bound by era of times stages are tied to excisting social identity development theories no direct empirical or postmodern methods concerning the model

Helms White Racial Identity Development Model contact status – oblivious to unaware of racism, believe everyone equal chance to success, lack understanding of prejudice and discrimination, minimal experience with persons of color, color-blind disintegration – conflicted over irresolvable racial moral dilemmas, polar opposites, becomes more aware of whiteness, experiences dissonance and conflict, feelings of guilt, depression, helplessness, or anxiety

Cont……. Reintegration – regression in swinging back to basic belief of White superiority and minority inferiority, firmer and more conscious belief in White racial superiority, racial/ethnic minorities blamed for their own problems Pseudoindependence –painful or insightful encounter or event, awareness of visible ethnic/culture minorities, unfairness of their treatment, discomfort with racist White identity, lead them to identify with person of color.

Cont…. Immersion/emersion – personal exploration in understanding what it means to be White, personal meaning of racism and how benefit from White privilege, increase willingness to comfort own biases, redefine Whiteness, more activist in combating racism and oppression Autonomy – knowledgeable about racial, ethnic, and cultural differences, values diversity, no longer fearful, intimidated, or uncomfortable with the experiential reality of race, nonracist White identity

Criticisms Based on racial/ethnic minority identity development models Too much emphasis on development of White attitudes toward minorities and not themselves and identity Conceptual inaccuracy in putting model as developmental stages (linear) Based on White racial identity Attitude Scale labeled as “pseudoscience” not supported by empirical literature

Model of White Racial Consciousness Unachieved: a. avoidant type – avoid, ignore, deny, or minimize racial issues. b. dependent type – minimal racial attitudes developed through personal experiences or consideration. c. dissonant type – feel conflict between their belief systems and contradictory experiences

Cont…… Achieved: a. dominative type – ethnocentric, believe in White superiority, minority inferiority b. conflictive types – oppose direct and obvious discrimination but would be unwilling to change the status quo c. reactive type – have good awareness that racism exists but seem unaware of their personal responsibility in perpetuating it, paternalistic with minorities d. integrative type – integrated sense of Whiteness with a regard for racial/ethnic minorities

Process of white racial identity development 1.Racism is an integral part of U.S. life, permeates our culture 2. Whites are socialized into the society, inherit all the biases, stereotypes, racist attitudes. 3. How whites perceive themselves as racial beings follows an identifiable sequence, linear or nonlinear fashion. 4. Status of White racial identity development affects process of interracial relationships 5. Most desirable - Whites accept his/her Whiteness and defines, nondefensive and nonracist manner

Seven step process 1. Naivete phase – neutral with respect to racial/cultural differences 2. Conformity phase – Very ethnocentric, minimal awareness of self as a racial being acceptance of White superiority and minority inferiority 3. Dissonance phase – forced to deal with the inconsistencies, acknowledge Whiteness, examine own cultural values, see conflict

Cont…… 4. Resistance and immersion phase – question and challenge his/her racism, increase awareness about racism in U.S., awakens to realities of oppression 5. Introspective phase – a compromise from unconditional acceptance of White identity to a rejection of Whiteness, less motivated by guilt and defensiveness, accept Whiteness, redefine their own identity

Cont…… 6. Integrative awareness phase – a. understanding self as a racial/cultural being b. being aware of sociopolitical influences regarding racism c. appreciating racial/cultural diversity d. becoming more committed towards eradicating oppression 7. Commitment to antiracist action phase – social action, seeing wrong and actively working toward right, requires moral fortitude and direct action

Principles of prejudice reduction: Having intimate and close contact with others Cooperation rather than competition on common tasks Sharing mutual goals Exchanging accurate information rather than stereotypes Sharing an equal status relationship Support for prejudice reduction by authorities and leaders Feeling a sense of connection and belonging with one another

Note to self Understanding oneself as racial/cultural being level of White racial awareness is predictive of racism less aware of White racial identity, the more likely exhibit increased levels of racism Explore who you are!!!!!!!!

How to reduce intergroup conflict and hostility Learn about people of color from sources within the group Learn from healthy and strong people of the culture Learn from experiential reality Learn from constant vigilance of your biases and fears Learn from being committed to personal action against racism Educate yourself!!!!!!!! Explore and learn

Implications for clinical practice accept the fact that racism is a basic integral part of US level of White racial identity development in a cross-cultural encounter affects the process and outcome of an interracial relationship work on accepting your own Whiteness, but define it in a nondefensive and nonracist manner Spend time with healthy and strong people from another culture or racial group

Cont…… Know that becoming culturally aware and competent comes through lived experience and reality Attend cultural events, meetings, and activities led by minority communities When around persons of color, pay attention to feelings, thoughts, and assumptions that you have when race-related situations present themselves Dealing with racism means a personal commitment to action.