EP5: Is Whiteness Parasitic? (On Donald Moss’ “On Having Whiteness”)
Aug 9, 2023
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Delving into Donald Moss' controversial essay on Whiteness as a parasitic condition, the hosts question the outrage it sparked and explore the distinction between 'Whiteness' and 'whiteness'. They discuss the societal implications, self-reflection, and radical solutions to combat racism and redefine whiteness.
'Whiteness' is viewed as a parasitic condition by the psychoanalyst, emphasizing domination and power dynamics.
Personal reflection on biases and prejudices reveal problematic attitudes towards others.
Contrast between psychoanalysis and CBT highlights introspective vs. direct approaches in treating psychological phenomena.
Deep dives
Psychoanalyst Analyzes Whiteness as a Parasitic Condition
The podcast episode delves into an article by a psychoanalyst exploring the concept of 'whiteness' as a parasitic condition, distinct from racial identity. The psychoanalyst presents 'whiteness' as an epistemology of entitled domination, creating hierarchies and mapping vertical power dynamics. The article draws criticism for not delving into the historical and political underpinnings of 'whiteness,' leading to confusion and a lack of clarity on the analytical advantage of using this concept.
Personal Reflections and Case Studies on Vertical Mapping
The episode includes the author's personal reflections on biases and prejudices, revealing his own problematic attitudes towards others. Additionally, case studies discussed in the podcast highlight individuals fixated on vertical mapping, establishing rigid power dynamics in their worldview. The missed opportunity lies in not addressing how fixation on racial vertical mapping often correlates with other forms of vertical categorization, such as gender and sexual orientation, raising questions on the pathological nature of such mapping and the potential for constructive theories on appropriate hierarchy.
Critique of 'Whiteness' as a Universalizing Concept
Furthermore, the analysis critiques the use of 'whiteness' as a universalized and unchangeable condition, akin to a disease with no possibility of retreat. The lack of empirical measures and historical context in defining 'whiteness' raises questions about the analytical clarity and utility of this concept. Discussions center on the confusion caused by attributing personal biases and tendencies to 'whiteness' rather than individual accountability and behavioral analysis.
Psychoanalysis and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Perspectives
The episode delves into the contrast between psychoanalysis and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) approaches. It highlights how psychoanalysis focuses on reflecting on internal monologues and delving into childhood experiences to understand present behavior. In contrast, CBT aims to rationalize behavior and address impulses directly, which can clash with the introspective nature of psychoanalysis. The discussion emphasizes the divergent paths these therapeutic approaches take in analyzing and treating psychological phenomena.
Whiteness as a Concept in Psychoanalytic Theory
The podcast explores the concept of whiteness within the realm of psychoanalytic theory, scrutinizing its portrayal as a parasitic entity. It delves into the controversy surrounding the application of the term 'whiteness' in psychoanalytic discourse, questioning whether it helps in understanding human behavior or if it oversimplifies complex societal issues. The conversation navigates the fine line between using metaphorical frameworks in analysis and ensuring substantive arguments and evidence support theoretical assertions. The episode prompts a critical evaluation of how theoretical constructs like 'whiteness' are employed in academic settings.
When psychoanalyst Donald Moss published his essay “On Having Whiteness” in 2021, it caused the right-wing media outrage machine to move into high gear. For example, both the New York Post and the Daily Mail wrote articles that seemed, on our reading, to only react to what was in the abstract. So, we decided we should actually read the entire article and find out if any of this outrage is justified.
This week we ask the question, is Whiteness parasitic? Does it make white people act like assholes? Moss seems to think it does when he argues that Whiteness is “a malignant, parasitic-like condition to which ‘white’ people have a particular susceptibility”. As you’ll hear, the answer might depend on a distinction between “Whiteness” and “whiteness”. But is making distinctions based on capitalization contributing to analytical clarity or just confusion?
In this episode, we also mention a response to the article by Jon Mills, you can find that here. We also inserted an editor’s note regarding a subsequent set of letters to the editor published in the Journal of The American Psychoanalytic Association that we did not manage to discuss in the episode. You can find that issue here.
