Aspects & Assumptions of Whiteness & White Culture in the U.S.
Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture (plus some additions added by Robin)
Note from Robin: The way I see it is these individual aspects are not necessarily unique to white culture in the U.S. when they stand alone. I think if we look at this list as a cultural package a broad-brushed summary emerges.
1. Rugged Individualism
- The individual is the primary unit
- Self-reliance
- Independence & autonomy highly valued + rewarded
- Individuals assumed to be in control of their environment, “You get what you deserve”
- “I, me, mine” language
2. Family Structure
- The nuclear family: cis-man father, cis-woman mother, 2 children is the ideal social unit
- Husband is breadwinner and head of household
- Wife is homemaker and subordinate to the husband
- Children should have own rooms, be independent [babies sleep alone]
3. Emphasis on Scientific Method
- “Objective,” rational linear thinking
- Cause and effect relationships
- Quantitative emphasis
4. History
- Based on Northern European immigrants’ experience in the U.S.
- Heavy focus on the British Empire
- The primacy of Western (Greek, Roman) and Judeo-Christian tradition
5. Religion
- Christianity is the norm
- Anything other than Judeo-Christian tradition is foreign
- No tolerance for deviation from single god concept
6. Binary thinking
- Hyper-categorizing and judging people and situations as bad or good
- Gender = binary (M/F)
- Sexuality = binary (gay/straight)
7. Status, Power & Authority
- Wealth = worth
- Your job is who you are
- Respect authority
- Heavy value on ownership of goods, space, property
8. Time
- Follow rigid time schedule
- Time viewed as a commodity
9. Future Orientation
- Plan for future
- Delayed gratification
- Progress is always best
- “Tomorrow will be better”
10. Aesthetics
- Based on European culture
- Steak and potatoes; “bland is best”
- Woman’s beauty is based on blonde, thin – “Barbie”
- Man’s attractiveness based on economics status, power, intellect
11. Communication
- “The King’s English: rules
- Written tradition
- Avoid conflict, intimacy
- Don’t show emotion
- Don’t discuss personal life
- Be polite (unless you have power)
- Stuck in the head – numb in the body (physically stiff)
- Over-valuing personal opinions / lack of humility
12. Holidays
- Based on Christian religions [white-washed Jesus and God who is gendered male]
- Based on white history & male leaders
13. Justice
- Based on English common law
- Protect property & entitlements
- Intent counts
- Police others – rule-oriented
14. Competition
- Be #1
- Win at all costs
- Winner/loser dichotomy
- Action Orientation
- Master and control nature
- Must always “do something” about a situation
- Aggressiveness and Extroversion
- Decision-making
- Majority rules (when Whites have power)
- Compete to prove worthiness and value
15. Protestant Work Ethic
- Hard work is the key to success
- Work before play
- “If you didn’t meet your goals, you didn’t work hard enough”
- Perfectionism (but not for ppl with most power)
- Productivity over relationship