Introduction
In her groundbreaking book "Me and White Supremacy," Layla Saad takes readers on a challenging but necessary journey to confront white supremacy and racism. This book isn't just for those who consider themselves racist - it's for anyone who benefits from a system built on white privilege, whether they realize it or not. Saad argues that white supremacy is deeply ingrained in our society, affecting all aspects of life, from education and healthcare to media representation and personal relationships.
The book began as a 28-day Instagram challenge, encouraging participants to reflect on their own experiences and biases. Now expanded into a full-length work, it serves as a guide for those who want to understand and dismantle the systems of oppression that continue to harm Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC).
Understanding White Supremacy and Privilege
The Pervasive Nature of White Supremacy
Saad begins by explaining that white supremacy isn't just about extremist groups or overt racism. It's a far-reaching ideology that benefits all white people, regardless of their personal beliefs or political leanings. This system is so deeply embedded in our culture that many white people don't even realize they're benefiting from it.
White supremacy manifests in countless ways, both big and small. It's in the history books that primarily focus on white achievements, the beauty standards that favor European features, and the assumption that white is the default in many situations. It's also in more serious issues, like the disproportionate targeting of BIPOC by law enforcement or the racial wealth gap that persists across generations.
Unpacking White Privilege
To help readers understand their own privilege, Saad references Peggy McIntosh's concept of the "invisible knapsack" - a set of unearned advantages that white people carry with them every day. These privileges might include:
- Being able to see people of your race widely represented in media and positions of power
- Not having to worry about your race negatively impacting your chances of getting a job or a loan
- Being able to shop without fear of being followed or harassed
- Not having to educate your children about systemic racism for their own safety
Saad emphasizes that having these privileges doesn't make someone a bad person. However, recognizing and understanding them is crucial for dismantling the system that unfairly benefits some while oppressing others.
The Impact on Children
The author highlights how deeply ingrained white supremacy is by referencing studies on children's racial attitudes. Even young children often show a preference for white dolls or associate positive traits with lighter skin tones. This demonstrates how early these biases can form and how important it is to actively work against them from a young age.
Common Pitfalls in Addressing Racism
White Exceptionalism and Fragility
Saad identifies several common reactions white people have when confronted with discussions about racism. One is "white exceptionalism" - the belief that you personally are not part of the problem because you have BIPOC friends or have never used racial slurs. This mindset ignores the systemic nature of racism and the ways in which all white people benefit from and participate in white supremacy, even unintentionally.
Another common reaction is "white fragility," a term coined by Robin DiAngelo. This refers to the defensive reactions many white people have when asked to confront racial issues. It might manifest as anger, denial, or even tears. White fragility often centers white people's feelings in discussions about racism, derailing the conversation and placing an additional burden on BIPOC to manage white emotions.
Silence and Apathy
Saad also addresses the problems of white silence and white apathy. Staying silent in the face of racism, whether out of discomfort or a desire to avoid conflict, is a form of complicity. Similarly, avoiding engagement with racial issues because it seems too difficult or overwhelming perpetuates the status quo.
The author emphasizes that dismantling white supremacy requires active participation from white people. It's not enough to simply not be racist; one must be actively anti-racist.
Harmful Stereotypes and Behaviors
Tone Policing and Racial Stereotyping
Saad delves into specific ways white people often interact with BIPOC that can be harmful, even when well-intentioned. One example is tone policing - criticizing the way BIPOC express themselves, particularly when discussing their experiences with racism. This often takes the form of telling someone they sound too angry or aggressive, which invalidates their emotions and experiences.
Racial stereotyping is another pervasive issue. These stereotypes might seem positive (like assuming all Asian people are good at math) or negative (like assuming Black men are dangerous), but they all serve to dehumanize BIPOC and reduce them to caricatures rather than complex individuals.
Cultural Appropriation
The author also addresses cultural appropriation - when members of a dominant culture adopt elements of a marginalized culture, often without understanding or respecting their significance. This can range from wearing traditional clothing as a costume to adopting musical or artistic styles without crediting their origins.
Saad emphasizes that cultural appropriation isn't about cultural exchange or appreciation. It's about power dynamics and the way dominant cultures often take from marginalized ones without giving back or acknowledging the source.
Specific Forms of Racism
Anti-Blackness
While the book addresses racism against all BIPOC, Saad dedicates specific attention to anti-Blackness. This form of racism targets people of African descent and has deep historical roots in slavery and colonialism.
Anti-Blackness manifests in various ways:
- For Black women, it often involves being stereotyped as angry, strong, or hypersexual. These stereotypes can have serious consequences, such as Black women being less likely to receive adequate medical care due to assumptions about their pain tolerance.
- Black men frequently face stereotypes of being violent, unintelligent, or sexually aggressive. These stereotypes can lead to dangerous situations, particularly in interactions with law enforcement.
- Even Black children are affected, often being perceived as older and less innocent than their white peers. This "adultification" can result in harsher treatment in schools and the justice system.
Intersectionality and White Feminism
Saad introduces the concept of intersectionality - the idea that different forms of oppression (like racism, sexism, and homophobia) intersect and compound each other. She criticizes "white feminism," which focuses primarily on the struggles of white women while ignoring or minimizing the unique challenges faced by women of color.
The author argues for an intersectional approach to feminism and social justice in general, recognizing that people's experiences are shaped by multiple aspects of their identity.
Superficial Engagement with Anti-Racism
The Problem with "Color Blindness"
Saad addresses several ways white people often try to engage with racial issues that end up being counterproductive. One common approach is claiming to be "color blind" - saying you don't see race at all. While often well-intentioned, this attitude ignores the very real impacts of race on people's lives and can prevent meaningful discussions about racism.
Color blindness allows white people to ignore their own privilege and the systemic nature of racism. It's a way of avoiding uncomfortable conversations and maintaining the status quo.
Tokenism and White Saviorism
Another superficial approach to diversity is tokenism - including a small number of BIPOC in predominantly white spaces without addressing underlying issues of inclusion and equity. This might look like a company hiring one person of color and featuring them prominently in marketing materials without making any substantial changes to their culture or practices.
White saviorism is another problematic behavior Saad identifies. This involves white people seeing themselves as rescuers or helpers of BIPOC, often without understanding the real needs or desires of the communities they claim to be helping. White saviorism centers white people's experiences and feelings, reinforcing the idea that white people know best and BIPOC need to be "saved."
White Centering
All of these behaviors - color blindness, tokenism, and white saviorism - are examples of what Saad calls "white centering." This is the tendency to make white people and white experiences the focus of discussions about race, even when trying to address racism.
White centering can take many forms, from dominating conversations about race to expecting BIPOC to educate white people about racism. It maintains white people's comfort at the expense of meaningful change.
Moving Towards True Allyship
Understanding Allyship
After identifying these problematic behaviors, Saad turns to what effective allyship looks like. She defines allyship as an ongoing process of working in solidarity with BIPOC, not a static identity or achievement.
True allyship involves:
- Continuously educating yourself about racism and privilege
- Listening to and amplifying BIPOC voices
- Using your privilege to challenge racist systems and behaviors
- Being willing to be uncomfortable and make mistakes
Accepting Criticism
An important part of allyship is being open to criticism and correction. Saad introduces the concepts of being "called out" (publicly challenged on problematic behavior) and "called in" (privately addressed about an issue). She emphasizes that these experiences, while uncomfortable, are opportunities for growth and learning.
The author advises against reacting defensively when called out or in. Instead, she encourages readers to listen, reflect, and focus on how to do better in the future. This process requires humility and a willingness to center the experiences of BIPOC rather than your own feelings.
Avoiding Performative Allyship
Saad warns against "optical allyship" - actions taken to make oneself look good rather than to create real change. This might include posting on social media about racial justice without taking any concrete actions, or loudly proclaiming oneself an ally without doing the ongoing work of anti-racism.
Real allyship, according to Saad, is often quieter and more consistent. It involves showing up repeatedly, even when it's not convenient or visible to others.
Taking Action
Educating Yourself and Others
One of the first steps Saad recommends for aspiring allies is self-education. This means reading books, articles, and other resources about racism and anti-racism, listening to BIPOC voices, and reflecting on your own experiences and biases. Importantly, this work should be done independently, not by relying on BIPOC to teach you.
Once you've begun this educational process, Saad encourages sharing what you've learned with others. This might involve having difficult conversations with friends and family, speaking up against racism in your workplace or community, or sharing resources on social media.
Supporting BIPOC
Saad offers several concrete ways to support BIPOC:
- Patronize BIPOC-owned businesses
- Donate to organizations working for racial justice
- Attend protests and rallies in support of BIPOC causes
- Use your platform (whether personal or professional) to amplify BIPOC voices
Making Space
Sometimes, being a good ally means stepping back. Saad encourages white people to consider whether they're taking up space that could be better filled by a person of color. This might mean recommending a BIPOC colleague for a speaking opportunity, or staying quiet in a discussion to allow BIPOC voices to be heard.
Committing to Ongoing Work
Throughout the book, Saad emphasizes that anti-racism is a lifelong journey, not a destination. She encourages readers to make concrete commitments to anti-racist actions and to regularly reassess and renew these commitments.
One suggestion she offers is keeping a journal to track your thoughts, experiences, and progress in your anti-racism work. This can help you stay accountable and reflect on your growth over time.
Conclusion
"Me and White Supremacy" is a challenging but crucial read for anyone looking to understand and combat racism. Saad doesn't shy away from difficult truths, pushing readers to confront their own biases and privileges. At the same time, she offers hope and practical guidance for those willing to do the work of anti-racism.
The author is clear that no single person can dismantle white supremacy alone. However, by understanding our own role in perpetuating racist systems and committing to ongoing anti-racist action, we can collectively work towards a more just and equitable society.
Saad's book serves as both a wake-up call and a roadmap. It asks white and white-passing readers to move beyond guilt or defensiveness and into action. For BIPOC readers, it offers validation of their experiences and a tool to use in discussions with white friends, family, and colleagues.
Ultimately, "Me and White Supremacy" is a call to action. It challenges us all to examine our beliefs, behaviors, and the systems we participate in. It asks us to do the uncomfortable but necessary work of confronting racism in all its forms - from the most overt to the most subtle. And it reminds us that this work is not optional, but a moral imperative for anyone who believes in justice and equality.
The journey towards anti-racism is long and often difficult, but as Saad powerfully argues, it's a journey we must all undertake. By facing the reality of white supremacy and actively working to dismantle it, we can move towards a world where everyone is truly valued and respected, regardless of the color of their skin.