From the archive: The invention of whiteness: the long history of a dangerous idea

Robert P. Baird, an insightful author on racial identity, delves into the historical concept of whiteness, emphasizing its creation before the 17th century and its reshaping of modern society. He explores the implications of whiteness through various lenses, including its cultural satire and the serious critique it faces today. Baird links the legacy of whiteness to systemic racism, the evolution of public discourse post-World War II, and ongoing social movements like Black Lives Matter, ultimately arguing for transformation through conscious effort.