Sonn, Christopher and Green, Meredith J (2005) Examining discourses of whiteness and the potential for reconciliation. Journal of Community and Applied Social Psychology, 15 (6). pp. 478-492. ISSN 1052-9284

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to explore how examining discourses of whiteness can contribute to an anti-racism that does not simply reduce racism to problems located with the ‘other’ or focus on the benefits of anti-racism for the dominant group. We discuss how by examining discursive negotiations at the micro level we are able to critique dominance and privilege at the macro level. To illustrate this we use the findings from a discourse analysis (Henriques, Hollway, Urwin, Venn, & Walkerdine, 1998)of discussions with white Australians about their involvement in Reconciliation. In particular, we identify spaces for the examination and critique of whiteness within white Australians’ discursive negotiations of Reconciliation. We also discuss how engagement with Indigenous knowledges is a necessary part of the critique of whiteness.

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