Published In
Field Reports: Using The Color of Fear in the Classroom
Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
2008
Subjects
Technology -- Moral and ethical aspects, Technology -- Social aspects
Abstract
This chapter focuses on the role that power, innocence, and ignorance play in maintaining the position of white privilege. There are times when white people use their privilege in ways that overtly attempt to put and keep people of color in their places, but more often white privilege is less obvious. White privilege does not stand out in white people’s behavior at all times.When white behavior is normalized, it is masked. At these times, white privilege and power hide behind the masks of innocence and the masks of ignorance. White people can hide their location, with relation to power, from themselves and/or others. In the film, The Color of Fear (TCOF), David Christensen hides his power. As he hides his power, he keeps his privilege invisible, that is, behind a mask. In this chapter, we focus on the masking and unmasking of innocence and ignorance to get a better look at how the process of normalization of these masks makes whiteness powerful and consequently hides white privilege.
Persistent Identifier
http://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/10077
Citation Details
Jamie P. Ross (2008). “White Privilege and the Color of Fear.” Chapter in Lessons From The Color of Fear. In Victor Lee Lewis & Hugh Vasquez (eds.), Lessons from The Color of Fear Field Reports. Using the Color of Fear in the Classroom. Speak Out - The Institute for Democratic Education and Cultural.
Description
Published by Speak Out - The Institute for Democratic Education and Cultural