The Possessive Investment in Whiteness: How White People Profit from Identity Politics
by George Lipsitz
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Read in May, 2008
Lipsitz contests the idea that white supremacy exists only in the minds of extremists on the margins. He acknowledges racism’s insidious and persistent nature, explaining how systems of oppression impose barriers to political agency for people of color on a daily basis stating:
Whiteness emerged as a relevant category in American life largely because of realities created by slavery and segregation, by immigration restriction and Indian policy, by conquest and colonialism. A fictive identit...more
Whiteness emerged as a relevant category in American life largely because of realities created by slavery and segregation, by immigration restriction and Indian policy, by conquest and colonialism. A fictive identit...more
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3 comments
This is a readable, engaging look at more than "whiteness" as a social construct but the ways in which those who benefit, presently and historically, from the construct possessively cling to its social currency, to the point, often, of delusional revisions of historical facts. Should be a must-read for anyone vested in progress in the USA, and in the erasure of "race" divides in the favor of respect for cultural diversity and social health.
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Read in May, 2007
This is an excellent place to begin if you want to expand your knowledge of how institutionalized racism has gone undercover, yet is still incredibly prevalent in the U.S. Very informative and enraging, but an important read especially for white people who continue to remain invisible and wonder why we can't just all get along.
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This is absolutely amazing. I read two chapters of it for my class on American ethnic minorities and I can't wait until this summer when I can finish it!
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Read in May, 2008
I need to read this for a workshop I'm putting on regarding white privilege..it's slow going so far, but really interesting.
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not the sexiest title or cover design, but nonetheless one of my favorites. a wonderful resource!
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This is one of the hardest books to read. Open to any page and you'll see why. Intense.
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