May 27, 2019

Excerpt 3 from "White Fragility"

Previously: 1, 2

On p. 30-1 of my copy:

Race scholars use the term white supremacy to describe a sociopolitical economic system of domination based on racial categories that benefits those defined and perceived as white. This system of structural power privileges, centralizes, and elevates white people as a group.

If, for example, we look at the racial breakdown of the people who control our institutions, we see telling numbers in 2016–2017:

  • Ten richest Americans: 100 percent white (seven of whom are among the ten richest in the world)
  • US Congress: 90 percent white
  • US governors: 96 percent white
  • Top military advisers: 100 percent white
  • US House Freedom Caucus: 99 percent white
  • Current US presidential cabinet: 91 percent white
  • People who decide which TV shows we see: 93 percent white
  • People who decide which books we read: 90 percent white
  • People who decide which news is covered: 85 percent white
  • People who decide which music is produced: 95 percent white
  • People who directed the one hundred top-grossing films of all time, worldwide: 95 percent white
  • Teachers: 82 percent white
  • Full-time college professors: 84 percent white
  • Owners of men’s professional football teams: 97 percent white