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The White Preface
The white preface, when attached to a movement, destroys credibility in the the movement and the individual given that label. The reason being is because white and whiteness, already considered the default in a system built to benefit them, then centers itself in movements constructed to help others, thereby allowing for racism in the guise of what is “best”.
White is Right
This is the established belief, particularly in locations where colonization took place, such as the U.S that allows white to direct the moral compass of an entire nation. Societal norms, laws are all taught and based off what the default of ‘whiteness’ considers acceptable and unacceptable. When ‘whiteness’ comes into a movement, they slap their own ‘white’ spin on it and are, oftentimes, considered the creator of a movement, rather than piggybacking off the creative minds — impassioned drive of minorities.
It’s important to understand that ‘white’ or ‘whiteness’ in this regard is not solely a skin color, but a mental construct that cages individuals of all backgrounds. It’s the belief that if a white person says, “Here’s what we need to focus on” or “this is wrong” it must be true just because a white person said it. It’s the mentality that being ‘white’, both in skin and mindset, means you think you know what’s right for everyone and woe to any minority that tries to correct you.
