Maintaining the Status Quo of White Superiority in America

Is a wonderful color achievable by combining two very contrasting colors that simply just don't mix? If a color stands out, in what way can it remain as it is? This might be confusing enough yet when the color pertains to the skin, it becomes even more complex. Historically rooted in the European expansion in the sixteenth and twentieth century, the merging of two races - that of South Africa and US - resulted to an American society succumbing to the status quo of white superiority over the blacks (Fredrickson, 1981, p.XI). It is perhaps the period of slavery and segregation of the two races that produces this kind of biased attitude. Encarta defines white supremacy as the "belief in the innate superiority of white people to other races" (2006). For this reason, the whites are justified to enjoy special favors while on the other hand, the blacks suffer from unfair rights.

In an attempt to straighten out confusion brought about by this status quo to the society, the field of sociology came in the picture to extend its body of knowledge in explaining the phenomenon. Through the classic theories of sociology, the nature of white superiority can be very well-understood. In the line of thought of Herbert Spencer, the white superiority is "present from the beginning, though often in an inchoate, undertheorized, or taken-for-granted form" (Winant, 2000). Simply put, since the idea emerged years back, it has continued to develop until it has reached its present form. Perhaps, one of its original forms is slavery experienced by the Blacks centuries ago. On the other thought, on the perspective of Karl Marx, Winant (2000) narrated that racial themes can be attributed to slavery and other "hierarchizations" of the world. In other words, it is because of inequality in power and wealth that increases the division between blacks and whites. Lastly, based on the theory of functionalism, white superiority, just like other social customs and institutions "is seen as having a function in ensuring that society works efficiently" ("Functionalism", 2006). Whatever the function white superiority plays, it is certainly for the survival of the society. Therefore, any deviation from the norm, according to Encarta encyclopedia, can be considered as a "social sickness".

Further, the concept has been complicated enough and classical theories of sociology will not just suffice. Hence, contemporary approaches to the study of race, applicable to the Whites and Blacks in US were formulated. Winant (2000) wrote:

From the 1930s onwards, it was the US scholars who were tasked to the elaboration of the "theory of race" since the disaster of European fascism. Fascism was closely associated with eugenics movement; hence, it forced choices on the democratic and progress-responsive public. This "retreat of scientific racism" was an upshot of the unpleasant connections (Barkan 1992). Further, Marxism topped the surge of communism in the 1930s and 1940s and the growth of important black movements, both political and cultural, heavily affected the racism in the public. And the liberal democratic ethos, strongly invoked in the United States had tremendous influence (Myrdal 1944).

Winant tries to imply that with the contemporary time, the division between Blacks and Whites has been recognized and attempts to destroy the division in order to gain equality among the people have been done. The Marxist view gains more influence as people realize the inequality of the present state of affairs. It appears now, that the society is moving through a new trend of not just merely accepting racial inequality as an element of the society. There is now a rising endeavor of the society to move towards a new goal. However, of course, aspiring for new societal pattern means moving against the status quo, which has been established long before. This would not be easy, though, as steps on maintaining the existing state of affairs are being undertaken.

On Maintaining White Superiority

In different facets of American culture, efforts to retain the ideology of White superiority are extremely evident. For one, the White race is greatly uplifted in children's literature. As an example, a story entitled Diddie, Dumps and Tot by Louise Clarke Pyrnelle has a section showing prejudice against the Blacks.

She ain't no rich white folks...

Caze efn she wuz, she wouldn't be teachin' school for a livin', an' den ergin, efn she's so mighty rich, whar's her niggers? (as cited in MacCann, 2001)

Aside from Pyrnelle's work, numerous literary works contain "racial bias (that) reached White children through books, and also by way of the institutions that constantly impinged on their lives" (McCann, 2001). On the other hand, MacCann furthers that "the Black child... was treated in the publishing world as a legitimate target of derision" (2001). It should also be noted that white supremacy is not only evident in children's but on other literary works as well. Moreover, a more remarkable illustration of maintenance of White supremacy arises in the aspect of employment. In a study conducted by Cohn & Fossett (1995), it was found out that there is an "inequality (in employment) between 25-59-year-old white and black men in U.S. metropolitan areas in 1980". The study shed light on the matter by viewing the phenomenon in line with "racial prejudice and attitudes toward equality of opportunity" (as cited in Cohn & Fossett, 1995). In addition, Smith mentioned that there is predominance of White leaders over the Blacks, in Virginia after the World War I (2002). Also, the Black leaders had a difficult time in their terms because of too much competition among the Whites in terms of resources, etc. Racial inequality remains a significant issue. Furthermore, racial prejudice remains very evident and even radical as in some places where hate crimes are high. All these events just show that the society is still within the path of the present state of affairs and it is unlikely that it will diverge away from that track, at least, not anytime soon.

Conclusion

In summary, white supremacy in America is grounded on historical underpinnings, which account for the presence of White and Black races in the country. Nonetheless, beyond the history, the notion can also be best understood through the perspectives of different sociological theories. Moreover, the concept has transcended beyond the classical views as new emerging theories are being formulated to further our grasp on the matter. Furthermore, being deeply incorporated in the American society, discrimination between the races is manifested in a wide-range of everyday events - these include literature, employment, politics and personal prejudices. This biased behavior is what maintains the status quo of the American society. Although there are reports on the decline of racial prejudices, not to mention the various movements protesting for equality among races, the reality remains clear that the status quo is still being maintained and it appears as though, the American society is not yet ready to deviate from the present state of affairs.

Works Cited

Cohn, S. & Fossett, M. (1995). Why racial employment inequality is greater in northern labor markets: regional differences in white-black employment differentials. Social Forces, 74. April 6, 2008

MacCann, D. (2001). White supremacy in children's literature: characterizations of African Americans, 1830-1900. New York: Routledge. April 6, 2008

Fredrickson, G. (1981). White supremacy: a comparative study in American and South African history. New York: Oxford University Press. April 6, 2008

"Functionalism" (2006). Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia [computer software]. Redmond, WA: Microsoft Corporation.

Smith, D. (2002). Managing white supremacy: race, politics, and citizenship in Jim Crow Virginia. Chapel Hill, NC: University of North Carolina Press. April 7, 2008

"White supremacy" (2006). Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia [computer software]. Redmond, WA: Microsoft Corporation.

Winant, H. (2000). Race and Race Theory. Annual Review of Sociology. April 7, 2008