White Supremacy Resurgences and Cultural Healing Responses

White Supremacy Resurgences

The modern world is still full of discriminatory practices, and the studied webinar discusses its roots and possible ways to solve the problem. White supremacy culture inherent in the system fuels racism and violence and allows it to develop further. This culture forms the system, influences the daily routine, distributes power and resources among the Whites, and provokes violence. Structural violence includes poverty, lack of quality food and access to health care, problems receiving a job, that is, the inability to maintain well-being. Cultural violence means justifying cruelty against a particular population group. These types are the roots of direct violence in communities. It is essential to start noticing it, particularly for white people, not just oppressed groups, to combat white supremacy. Despite the problem’s deep roots, progress in solving it is possible, but it is necessary both to speak and act.

The Problem’s Roots and Modern Manifestations

The issue of racism is most debated regarding African Americans. The legacy of slavery, Jim Crow laws, lynchings, and other manifestations are rooted in mentality and manifested in modern incidents, such as George Floyd’s death. Such injustice is unacceptable, but other groups are also oppressed, receiving less attention. However, the webinar fills some of these gaps and shows the problem’s extent. For instance, the Native Americans’ situation is unique compared to other nations in America since the country was built on their genocide, and violence against their community is deeply woven into politics. For example, laws such as the Indian Removal Act 1830 called for murder in history. Although such laws change over time, many people do not know about their existence and the actual state of affairs. Today, the unfavorable and violent environment in which racism plunges communities negatively affects families, children, their future, and, accordingly, the nation’s future.

The past laws also targeted Asian migrants, for instance, the Chinese Exclusion Act 1880 or the Immigration Exclusion Act of 1924. To prevent the emergence of more migrants from Asia, people created myths that spread and frightened the population. For example, in these myths, women from Asia appeared to be seducers, spreading diseases. The people also accused Chinese migrants of spreading the plague, which led first to isolation and then to the burning of Chinatowns. By the 1960s, attitudes began to change for several reasons. During this period, the civil rights movement intensified, and the United States became a superpower on the world stage. It was necessary to maintain the view that peoples thrive in this country. Stereotypes about Asian-Americans have changed – it has become widely believed that this group could become more prosperous – an example for other minorities. However, such prejudice prevents noticing the existing problems, reporting, and solving them.

Areas for Improvement

The problem of cruelty requires an effective solution to eliminate discrimination inherent in the system. Shannon CrossBear sees four directions for improvement and distributes them to the points of the compass:

1. East – developing education, information dissemination, and changing thinking patterns.
2. South – building relationships between communities and getting to the people’s hearts.
3. West – changing policies and procedures.
4. North – understanding the experience of people of color in America (NCTSN, 2021).

Another approach that has been formed to solve the problem is radical healing. It must take place in two places at the same time – it resists oppression and violence while moving towards well-being and healing. Its components are as follows:

1. Critical consciousness allows one to believe that actions can change the situation
2. Radical hope is the belief that efforts will be rewarded.
3. Strength and resistance mean the ability to live a happy life, despite racial cruelty.
4. Cultural authenticity and self-knowledge involve respect for the roots, identities, and wisdom of older generations.
5. Emotional and social support is understanding that personal healing and liberation take root in communities.

Thus, the key to changing the situation and solving the problem is to act instead of ignoring it.

Reference

The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN). (2021). White supremacy resurgences and cultural healing responses for Asian, Native, and Black American youth [Video file]. Web.