Introduction
I will begin by saying this will be a wee bit longer than my usual articles as I am attempting to place all of my thoughts in one place based on the online conversations I have been having. I am dedicated to the dismantling of this system that is harming us all. With that being said I will delve in. I hope you read/hear with an open heart and a transformative mind.
What is conditional whiteness?
Conditional whiteness refers to the phenomenon where certain ethnic groups, typically not initially classified as "white" by dominant standards, may gain access to the privileges associated with whiteness, but this access is contingent upon adherence to specific cultural, social, or political norms. The conditionality implies that this access can be revoked or challenged when individuals or groups step outside of these accepted parameters.
Historical Background:
Italian and Irish Immigrants in America: In the 19th and early 20th centuries, Italian and Irish immigrants faced significant discrimination and were not initially considered white upon their arrival in the United States. Their eventual assimilation into the category of whiteness was a complex process influenced by factors such as changes in immigration laws, economic mobility, and shifts in societal perceptions of race.
Jewish Assimilation: Jewish people in America and Europe have also experienced conditional whiteness. Despite achieving a considerable degree of social and economic success, (due to antisemitism and not wanting to do business with Jewish people) Jewish communities have remained vulnerable to antisemitism and exclusion, demonstrating the conditional nature of their acceptance into the category of whiteness.
Anti-Miscegenation Laws and the One-Drop Rule: In the U.S., anti-miscegenation laws and the one-drop rule (which stated that any person with even one ancestor of sub-Saharan-African ancestry is considered Black) further illustrate the conditional nature of whiteness. These laws served to maintain racial purity and white supremacy, strictly policing the boundaries of whiteness.
The Model Minority Myth: Asian Americans have also been subjected to conditional whiteness through the model minority stereotype, which portrays them as successful, hardworking, and compliant. While this stereotype can offer certain privileges, it also serves to silence discussions on racism and masks the diverse experiences and challenges faced by different Asian American communities.
The Indigenous Peoples of Turtle Island: Forced Assimilation and Erasure; Indigenous communities faced forced assimilation policies designed to eradicate their cultures, languages, and identities. The U.S. and Canadian governments established residential and boarding schools with the explicit goal of "civilizing" Indigenous children, a process that involved stripping them of their cultural heritage and pushing them to adopt white, Christian values and practices.
Blood Quantum Laws and Racial Classification: The U.S. government implemented blood quantum laws, determining Indigenous identity based on the degree of "Indian blood." This system not only served to undermine Indigenous notions of identity, which are typically based on kinship and community ties, but it also facilitated the erasure of Indigenous identity over generations. The imposition of racial classification systems reflects an attempt to subsume Indigenous identities into the colonial framework, contributing to the whitening of Indigenous peoples in bureaucratic terms.
Conditional whiteness illustrates how race is not a fixed category but a social construct that can be manipulated to uphold power structures and maintain dominance. The conditionality of whiteness serves as a mechanism of control, ensuring conformity to the established order and perpetuating a system of privilege and oppression.
White Racial Identity
To fully grasp the nuances of conditional whiteness, it is imperative to deconstruct and understand the evolution and functioning of white racial identity itself. The concept of conditional whiteness operates within the broader framework of racial identities and hierarchies, and to comprehend its intricacies, one must delve into the historical evolution and present-day functioning of white racial identity.
The Creation of White Racial Identity: