Destabilizing whiteness and black oppression in academe: a critical analysis of power, consciousness, and liberation

Abstract

Whiteness is a pernicious and pervasive problem deeply rooted in the fabric of public institutions and organizations. This article critically examines the intricate interplay between whiteness, black oppression, consciousness, power dynamics, and liberation within academe. The authors interrogate the historical and socio-political foundations of whiteness and its pervasive influence on systemic marginalization and oppression. We draw from Black studies, whiteness studies, and critical race theory to both theorize constructions of whiteness and analyze its impact on Black oppression in the academy. We advocate for shifts in institutional practice preceded by shifts in consciousness that would then influence behavior. We propose two alternative models to analyze whiteness: Framework 1: explores the nature of whiteness and white normativity as embedded in a paradigm that centers power in privilege, fear, and fragility; Framework 2 puts forth a liberatory vision, one that requires a shift from privilege to environmentally sustainable living, from fragility to internal resilience, and from fear to the decolonization of the mind. These frameworks call out and seek to disrupt oppressive structures, intending to decolonize and emancipate our minds and envision ways to dismantle and disentangle ourselves from blindly obeying norms perpetrated by whiteness.

Keywords:

• Black identity
• institutional racism
• liberation
• whiteness
• white supremacy

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1 “Whiteness” is defined here as mainstream heteronormative hegemonic reality, shaped explicitly by European and Euro-American cultural, historical, political and institutional norms and assumptions.

2 Periods such as the US Civil War, Reconstruction, slave rebellions, and revolutionary wars or resistance movements aimed at overthrowing colonial domination. Cunningham examines literature by David Walker, Ida B. Wells and Jean Rhys.

3 The lyrics popularized by Bob Marley in Redemption Songs were derived from Marcus Garvey’s 1937 speech in which Garvey stated, “We are going to emancipate ourselves from mental slavery because whilst others might free the body, none but ourselves can free the mind. Mind is your only ruler, sovereign. The man who is not able to develop and use his mind is bound to be the slave of the other man who uses his mind.”.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Karen D. Sweeting

Karen D. Sweeting is an Assistant Professor at the University of Rhode Island. Her research is theoretically nuanced but pragmatically focused drawing insight from over two decades of practical experience prior to her academic tenure. She views her research as a duty to public service, striving to examine how public service can be more equitable, inclusive, and just to better serve all people from all walks of life, specifically vulnerable, suffering, minoritized, and marginalized populations.

Catherine John Camara

Catherine John is Professor and Chair of the Africana Studies Department at the University of Rhode Island. She has published Clear Word and Third Sight: Folk Groundings and Diasporic Consciousness in African Caribbean Writing (Duke Press & University Press of the West Indies). Her second book Afroindigenization and Marasa Consciousness: Submerged Indigeneities in the Afrospora is currently under review.