What is White Supremacy?
White supremacy is a set of beliefs or thoughts which suggest that white people are superior to people of other racial backgrounds. It is also a system of racial discrimination and racist power structures that work to support the advantages enjoyed by white people while perpetuating disadvantages and inequalities among people of color. White supremacy exists in many different forms, from explicit racism and violence to subtle, everyday bias that redirects resources and opportunities away from people of color.
The History of White Supremacy
White supremacy is deeply entrenched in the history of the United States. From the arrival of the first Europeans to the enslaved labor of Africans and the genocide of Native Americans, white supremacy was and continues to be a central organizing principle of the US political and economic system. This history of racial inequality and white privilege has not been adequately acknowledged or addressed, allowing white supremacy to remain alive and well in many parts of the country.
Modern Forms of White Supremacy
White supremacy is more than just violent, hate-filled organizations. It is embedded in everyday attitudes, laws, policies, and institutions that serve as both a reflection and a reinforcement of racial hierarchy and inequality. Examples of white supremacy in the contemporary US include police brutality and mass incarceration, whiter-than-average neighborhood schools and unequal access to housing and education, and employment discrimination and the system of segregated wealth.
White supremacy is a global problem, with imperialist countries extending their dominance by exploiting the resources and labor of nations in the global south. It is also a growing societal issue in the US, with white backlash against the election of a Black president and the emergence of the “alt-right”—a resurgence of explicit white supremacist ideologies and tactics.
Though white supremacy is devastating and far-reaching, it is essential to note that it is not simply an issue of individual racism—it is a systemic problem that requires collective action to dismantle. It is essential to recognize that all of us, regardless of race or ethnicity, benefit from and uphold white supremacist systems, whether consciously or not. Understanding this allows us to confront and challenge the privilege, racism, and power imbalances that uphold white supremacy, so that all people can have access to opportunity and justice.