White supremacy is an ideology that is based on the belief that people of European descent, specifically those who are white, are inherently superior to people of other races and ethnicities. It is often associated with racism, bigotry, and discrimination against non-white individuals and groups. The ideology of white supremacy has been used throughout history to justify political and economic domination, genocide, slavery, colonialism, and other forms of oppression.
The concept of white supremacy has roots in European colonialism and imperialism, which involved the domination and exploitation of non-white peoples around the world. It also has ties to eugenics, a movement that sought to improve the genetic quality of the human population by promoting the reproduction of people with “desirable” traits and limiting the reproduction of people with “undesirable” traits.
White supremacy has been used to justify a wide range of discriminatory policies and practices, including slavery, segregation, and apartheid. In the United States, it has been used to justify policies such as redlining, which denied home loans and other forms of credit to non-white individuals and neighborhoods, and the “war on drugs,” which has been criticized for disproportionately targeting and incarcerating people of color.
White supremacy can also manifest in more subtle ways, such as implicit biases, microaggressions, and cultural appropriation. It can perpetuate harmful stereotypes and stigmatize people of color, leading to discrimination in employment, housing, education, and other areas of life.
Efforts to address white supremacy involve challenging its underlying beliefs and working to dismantle systems of oppression and inequality. This can include promoting diversity and inclusion, supporting policies that advance racial equity, and engaging in anti-racist education and advocacy. It is also important to acknowledge and address the historical and ongoing harm that has been inflicted upon communities of color as a result of white supremacy.