This Unlearning Circle will focus on liberal white women’s role in perpetuating the violence of White Supremacy, especially on Black bodies. White people imagine danger into the bodies of Black people, when the inverse is actually true. Resmaa Menakem, a cultural trauma navigator, has observed that “the myth of the fragility of white bodies and the corresponding fear of Black ones lives on.”

White people like Amy Cooper regularly call upon police to sustain their sense of white superiority and control over others. White supremacy still protects white bodies and inflicts violence on Black-bodied people. White women have been both active participants and willing beneficiaries in upholding racial terror throughout our country’s history. Liberal women’s voices speak out for all humanity while preserving their comfort under the mantle of “niceness”. This gaslighting prevents bold, informed action to end the impact of the White Supremacy Culture.

This path is an opportunity for white identifying people to explore white supremacy culture and our role and responsibilities in undoing racism. We welcome and recognize the gift of the presence of any People of Color who choose to join us.

UWSA relies heavily on the Principles and steps of Undoing Racism promulgated by The People’s Institute for Survival and Beyond (PISAB). As our nation is in upheaval because of the violence perpetrated by White Supremacy Culture, we will explore the role of white liberal women in this experience.

This series is based on the PISAB principle of Identifying and Analyzing the Manifestations of Racism: Individual acts of racism are supported by institutions and are nurtured by the societal practices such as militarism and cultural racism, which enforce and perpetuate racism.  

Suggested Resources (Recommended reading, listening, and/or viewing to prepare for our conversation)

NPR’s On the Media: The weaponization of white womanhood (Radio Show)

https://www.wnycstudios.org/podcasts/otm/episodes/on-the-media-boiling-point

Dame Magazine: White Women Aren’t Afraid: They Want Power over Black People

https://www.damemagazine.com/2018/07/30/white-women-arent-afraid-of-black-people-they-want-pretty-power/

New York Times: How White Women Use Themselves as Instruments of Terror

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/27/opinion/racism-white-women.html

White Noise Collective Interview: Definition of White Womanhood and Systems of Violence

White Womanhood & Systems of Violence

Vox: How Southern Socialites Rewrote Civil War History (7 min video)

Washington Post: Amy Cooper and George Floyd represent two versions of racism black Americans face every day. Central Park and Minneapolis are not isolated incidents.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/05/28/how-amy-cooper-george-floyd-represent-two-versions-racism-that-black-americans-face-every-day/