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olleka's review
informative
medium-paced
3.5
I think it’sa good book for anyone who wants to start exploring the whiteness of the races in the not supremacy or potentially hurtful way. But if you’re already in the informed in the topic you might find only a few ideas as “new”. Also this book is from the 90’s soo it’s not weird it’s a little outdated. But it’sa good basic, starting point :)
stacysma's review against another edition
4.0
Started off strong. The first two chapters are a must-read, but kind of limited itself to specific film analyses in the second half.
The association of race and heterosexuality is inspiring and intersectional.
“The point of looking at whiteness is to dislodge it from its centrality and authority, not to reinstate it (and much less, to make a show of reinstating it, when, like male power, it doesn’t actually need reinstating).”
“I have often wondered whether white peoples know they are white. I know that Richard Dyer does.” (Helen Charles, 1993:99) — absolutely love this compliment lol
The association of race and heterosexuality is inspiring and intersectional.
“The point of looking at whiteness is to dislodge it from its centrality and authority, not to reinstate it (and much less, to make a show of reinstating it, when, like male power, it doesn’t actually need reinstating).”
“I have often wondered whether white peoples know they are white. I know that Richard Dyer does.” (Helen Charles, 1993:99) — absolutely love this compliment lol
elinightingale's review against another edition
3.0
the first two essays were incredible but as it went on it became more film review and i know thats his specialty but idk didnt love it
line_so_fine's review
4.0
A great combination of media theory and Whiteness studies. Especially hones in on the aesthetics of Whiteness as an ideal idea.
seregi85's review
4.0
Ooh I want to feel ashamed that I am white and privileged. Still new approaches to spot these falsities in the world. Swartzenegger is so wrong being superior as Conan the Barbarian. I wonder is this 13 years ago published book out dated or what additions could make. For example why in many cultures paler the better, expect in Western where tanned body means leisure.
This is just like when reading feminist books. Time to start spotting injustice!
This is just like when reading feminist books. Time to start spotting injustice!
sdbecque's review
5.0
This book is a game changer. It's so amazing. The scope and breadth of his argument is staggering. If you aren't familiar with the book he breaks it down like this in the introduction:
"But this then is why it is important to come to see whiteness. For those in power in the West, as long as whiteness is felt to be the human condition, then it alone both defines normality and fully inhabits it. As I suggested in my opening paragraphs, the equation of being white with being human secures a position of power. White people have power and believe that they think, feel and act like and for all people; white people, unable to see their particularity, cannot take account of other people's; white people create the dominant images of the world and don't quite see that they thus construct the world in their own image; white people set standards of humanity by which they are bound to succeed and others bound to fail. most of this is not done deliberately and maliciously; there are enormous variations of power amongst white people, to do with class, gender and other factors; goodwill is not unheard of in white people's engagement with others. White power none the less reproduces itself regardless of intention, power differences and goodwill, and overwhelmingly because it is not seen as whiteness, but as normal. White people need to learn to see themselves as white, to see their particularity. In other words, whiteness needs to be made strange."
Anyway, this is a book of cultural theory, and he doesn't shy away from the big words and ideas at times, then again I also found it immensely readable. If you are interested in the media, or representations of race, and you haven't read this book (I hadn't - I knew it existed and I knew the argument, but I hadn't sat down and read it) I urge you to read through it.
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