Summary of Whiteness

I found this article online written by Audrey Thompson called Summary of Whiteness Theory. I think this article's approach to the idea of whiteness so interesting. It talks about how whiteness is a normalised category and a social construction. Whiteness is therefore invisible and "blackness" or "brownness" is an ideology.

I find this to be so true in my life experiences; I find myself making racial categories but never including whites. It also talks about how white males are the "preferred condition" in the U.S; personally I find stereotype to be the most predominant in the U.S. In the recent Presidential election, CNN was talking about the number of whites voting for Mitt Romney vs. Barack Obama, the number of blacks voting for Romney vs. Obama and the Latino votes for Romney vs. Obama. They stated that Obama would have the minority votes because he is a minority. The main focus on this the voting of the minorities, obviously it's assumed the whites will be voting. The curriculum of History in the U.S consist of white history and then a small focus on minorities and white women. It's the "norm" to know about white male American history. I find this to hold true in Canada as well. When I was I school we spent every month on a different race/culture. But American history was always the beginning. 

The article list four theoretical frameworks on Whiteness that I had no idea existed. 

Material theories talks about groups of whites enjoying their access to goods like jobs, housing, education, health care and material items like cars etc. Institutional theories is a mix of material items and policies. Being part of certain groups or organisations is predominately run by whites and white privilege is sustained in this way. Some policies of work places etc state some hair styles or clothes are not acceptable but these are applying to minorities. The acceptable dress code is designed for whites. Personal theories refer to the white morals and values of obtaining a steady relationship, a home, children, steady job; those morals and values don't apply in everyone's culture but it is the "norm". Discursive theories focus on the media and how whites vs minorities are portrayed. 

These theories are a good outline of how our society lives. I almost feel like this is the way things are and I have to accept them whether I like it or not...