14 Sad, Weird and Damaging Things Whiteness Expects of Its People

Warning: Some of these may annoy you

The more I examine Whiteness, the more I realize just how much it has screwed the people inducted into its clan up. By requiring adherence to an unspoken code, it has damaged the souls of some of these same people. Such has left large swaths of White people bereft of empathy, feeling disconnected from fellow citizens and has caused profound feelings of loss and shame, with many being unable to identify precisely why they feel this way.

Today, let’s talk about some of the things we’ve observed or have heard people who identify as White outright admit about Whiteness and its unspoken rules.

Here are just a few things Whiteness all but demands of its people:

1. Look the Other Way

A lot of White people pretend not to see systemic oppression. Such is easy to do while refusing to listen to Black people and People of Color or when folk prefer alternate news sources reporting that conversations about racism aren’t actually real, but are just political theater. Deep down, we suspect that all White people know that Black people have been catching hell since being dragged out of Africa in chains, but Whiteness demands they do nothing about it and so most simply look the other way while pretending not to notice.

2. Be Quiet About What You Do See

Whiteness does not like its people to speak out against racism. Even when it’s blatant and undeniable, White people who want to stand up are, instead, told to hush lest they upset other White people and find themselves ostracized. Most, but not all, do exactly that out of loyalty to or fear of an unwritten, yet powerful, social contract.

3. Demand English-Only Environments

This applies mostly to American White people. Yes, high school French is allowed, but in public White people want everyone around them to speak English only. While there is no official language in the United States, there are numerous indigenous languages, foreign languages and American dialects spoken — some of which government agencies and other businesses will attempt to accommodate — but loyal White people often make a fuss about the willingness to do so and will sometimes loudly demand that others only speak English around them.

4. Make Racism Other People’s Problem and Not Whiteness Itself

Even though Whiteness is a construct created to degrade others, Whiteness teaches its people that racism is other people’s problem to solve. It’s like dumping a truckload of trash in the middle of a cul-de-sac and telling those who live there it’s their problem to either live with the mess or clean it up, but it is not the responsibility of the one who did the dumping. Because of this, some White people think they’re doing Black people and others of color a favor anytime they lend assistance to the clean up.

5. Only Accept White Definitions of Racism

Racism means what White people say it does. The definition is noted in dictionaries written by White academics and that is the only acceptable definition White people should ever acknowledge. The public acknowledgment of definitions reported by Black and other non-White people is to step out of line with Whiteness and, thus, risk being considered a traitor.

6. Do Not Upset the Wealthy Class

White people do not have to like the wealthy elite, but they are expected to do their part to help them maintain power whenever possible. The story they believe is that the wealthy class is needed to provide jobs and stability and so murmurings against them should be kept to a minimum. White people are expected to do the work necessary to keep this class in position by voting (even if it means doing so against their own interests) and advocating for this class whenever necessary.

7. Have as Many White Babies as Possible

Despite allowing groups which were formerly denied Whiteness into the fold (Italians, Irish, Arabs, Hispanics, etc.), Whiteness is still on track to become a minority in the United States in the next 20–25 years. To ensure that White women have as many White babies as possible, states have outlawed abortion and seek to restrict access to birth control. On their own, White women cannot be trusted to ensure that the White race continues. (NOTE: Do not be concerned that more Black and other non-White babies will also be born in non-abortion states since there are systems already in place ready to keep them in line.)

8. Never Question What Whiteness Actually Is

White people are just expected to accept admission into the club at birth and never truly question what it actually means to be White. If questioned, they should pretend that it is only a skin color while denying all social value or privileges that may be afforded their caste. If forced to admit that White privilege exists, White people are expected to only concede that it applies to the ultra-wealthy and not to them, personally.

9. Do Not Exhibit Solidarity With Disgruntled Non-Whites

White people are advised to never take sides against Whiteness, ever. To remain in good graces, they should not align with non-Whites who question or seek to challenge the status quo. Protesting alongside Black people and other non-Whites who want justice and equality qualifies a White person as a race traitor.

10. Forget or Severely Minimize One’s Cultural Heritage

It’s okay for a White person to acknowledge Spanish or Scottish ancestry, but they should not, under any circumstances, try to maintain too strong a connection with former languages, customs, religions, names or anything else that makes them stand out against plain Whiteness.

11. Teach Children the Rules of Whiteness Directly or Indirectly

Since Whiteness is not just about skin color, White people are required to pass these rules on to their children in order to keep the ruse going. Parents may do so either by flat out explaining the rules to their children or by strongly implying them. Regardless of how they are instructed, White children must learn early how to go along in order to get along.

12. Accept History As it’s Been Taught

White people are discouraged against ever questioning history as it has been taught no matter how whitewashed the version. The official story is meant to benefit Whiteness and, even if White folk don’t agree with its telling or feel like it’s not working in their interest, they should recognize that it’s working for Whiteness as a whole and, therefore, it should not be challenged.

13. Keep Segregation Alive

Laws may have changed, but the rules haven’t. To keep Whiteness working at its optimal best, it’s good to create and remain in White dominated spaces. This includes neighborhoods, schools, companies and cities. Others may be permitted into the fold because it’s against the law to keep them out, but outsiders need to do their level best to assimilate into White environments upon entry. If outsiders refuse to do so — or if too many invade a majority White space — White people should be prepared to take flight to new areas where Whiteness can once again be fully asserted without resistance.

Oh this rule doesn’t just stop at physical environments, but White people are expected to remain immersed in continual White programming through books, television and film, too.

14. Do Not Discuss Race

And avoid discussing class, too… unless, of course, someone pushes a discussion about race. If this happens, White people are trained to immediately dismiss any issues relating race and maintain that the issue is actually about class, instead. For the most part, however, White people should not discuss race or class lest they be in danger of accidentally discovering how they’re being used as pawns in the ultimate con.

Cracking the Code

At its core, Whiteness demands conformity in order to exist. As we all work toward dismantling the White dominated caste system in the U.S. and, really, White supremacy all over the world, it helps to understand the social contract White people are expected to conform to and that works to keep the construct operational.

From time to time I encounter people truly at odds with being White and it hurts my heart to hear that they feel trapped in something they want no parts of. Filled with hatred for what they believe lives inside of them without consent, some are unaware that they can divest from Whiteness. No, not today or tomorrow, but by consciously realizing what Whiteness is, the damage that it’s done to people and society, and by working to dismantle the racial hierarchy, people can work to strip Whiteness of its power and control. For now, everyone who is classified as White is in a prime position to help topple the White regime and assist in the ushering in of new ways of being.

So, What Do You Say?

What are your thoughts about the expectations Whiteness places on its own people? Is it fair to them and to the rest of humanity? Did I miss any points or overstate others? Now’s the time when you get to have your say in the comments.

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