Exploring the Historical Roots and Collective Nature of the White Gaze Concept

The term ‘white gaze’ was popularised by author Toni Morrison in the 1990s, to describe the sense that the white experience was considered the norm. She said: “I've spent my entire writing life trying to make sure that the white gaze was not the dominant one in any of my books.” Adam Fleming speaks to Steve Garner, an associate professor of Sociology at Swansea University, to find out what people mean when they talk about the ‘white gaze’, and where the concept came from.