PDF Summary:White Tears/Brown Scars, by Ruby Hamad

How have colonial biases and prejudicial views about womanhood shaped modern perceptions of race and gender? In White Tears/Brown Scars, Ruby Hamad dissects the historical roots and long-lasting impact of stereotypes that portray white women as pure and innocent, in contrast to the hypersexualized depictions of women of color. She examines how these distorted narratives have been perpetuated to justify oppression while elevating white women as the ideal feminine archetype.

Hamad further explores how white feminism often relegates women of diverse backgrounds to the periphery, inadvertently upholding racial biases under the guise of unity and solidarity. Through her incisive analysis, the author encourages readers to recognize the pervasive influence colonialism and white supremacy have in shaping social dynamics, urging vigilance against tactics that preserve existing power structures.

(continued)...

• The hierarchy in question is not static and has been challenged and changed over time through various civil rights movements and legislative changes.

The characterizations of "Mammy" and "Sapphire" emerged as a means to diminish the potential intimidation felt from the self-reliance of Black women.

The author depicts the emergence of new stereotypes that served to constrain and undermine the autonomy of African American women after slavery was abolished. The portrayal of the Mammy, characterized by her absence of sexual desire and a compliant attitude, exemplified the quintessential Black woman who embraced her position and devoted herself to serving the needs of white people. The archetype known as Sapphire depicted a vociferous and irate figure who defied the authority of men, personifying the "bad" Black woman who had the audacity to confront white supremacy. Hamad suggests that this binary perspective additionally restricted the ability of Black women to express the complete spectrum of human feelings.

Context

• The Mammy figure was often depicted as an older, overweight Black woman who was loyal and submissive to white families. This stereotype was used to romanticize the relationship between enslaved women and their enslavers, suggesting a false narrative of mutual affection and voluntary servitude, which obscured the realities of exploitation and abuse.
• Over time, Black women have actively resisted and challenged these stereotypes through cultural production, activism, and scholarship, seeking to reclaim their narratives and assert their full humanity.
• The Sapphire stereotype emerged during the Jim Crow era, a time when racial segregation laws were enforced in the United States, further entrenching racial stereotypes to justify the subjugation of Black people.

White women often profess a unity which, in practice, usually relegates women of color to the periphery by leveraging their racial privilege to establish control.

Ruby Hamad argues that the professed unity and sisterhood among white women often seem disingenuous, as their actions tend to reveal a deeper commitment to maintaining their white privilege rather than genuine solidarity with women of different ethnic backgrounds. She uncovers the historical participation of white women in colonial projects, like the forced removal of Indigenous children from their families, by portraying their complicity in the oppression of Indigenous women as an act of kindness. Ruby Hamad articulates that the compassion often extended within white feminism tends to be selective, revealing its inherent limitations by prioritizing its concerns over the liberation of all women.

Context

• The portrayal of these actions as kindness is critiqued for masking the underlying racial and cultural superiority that drove such policies, highlighting a paternalistic attitude rather than genuine humanitarian concern.

Other Perspectives

• The concept of unity in feminism is complex and can be manifested in various ways that do not always involve relegating others to the periphery; there are movements and groups within feminism that prioritize solidarity and shared goals across racial lines.
• The actions of some individuals should not be taken to represent the intentions or behaviors of an entire group, as this can lead to overgeneralization and unfair stereotyping.
• Compassion within any large movement can appear selective due to the diverse and sometimes conflicting interests of its members, not necessarily because of an intentional prioritization of one group's concerns over another's.

White women frequently claim a commitment to equality and social justice in ways that overshadow and co-opt the progress achieved by women of various ethnicities.

Hamad examines the tendency of white women to leverage narratives of their own fragility, distress, and assumed roles as victims to hinder the progress of women from diverse racial backgrounds. In her examination of personal stories, online conversations, and media coverage, Ruby Hamad examines the ways in which white women frequently employ their emotional reactions and a sense of fragility to avoid responsibility, shift focus away from their biases, and maintain the status quo of power relations.

White women often emphasize their perceived fragility, discomfort, and sensitive disposition when engaging in conversations about race.

This section delves into the specific tactics used by women of Caucasian descent to assert dominance and uphold their power over women from various ethnic backgrounds. Hamad reveals how claims of fragility, often expressed through profound emotional responses and tears shed by white women, serve as a powerful tool to shift the conversation away from racial matters and towards their own perceived vulnerability. This "weaponization of white women's tears," she contends, skews the longstanding view that white women personify innocence, which consequently undermines the legitimate complaints of women from diverse backgrounds and portrays them as the true provocateurs.

The strategy of depicting women of color as unduly hostile and illogical, thereby undermining the validity of their complaints, is executed by focusing on the discomfort felt by white women.

Hamad explores how societal structures shape situations where white women often respond to allegations of racism with tears. She argues that these tears, whether genuine or strategically employed, are not a sign of vulnerability but instead exploit the long-standing undervaluation of white women and the demonization of women of color. When white women cry, attention often diverts from the primary issue to their distress, obliging women of color to prioritize the white woman's comfort over the real issue at hand.

Context

• This strategy reflects broader power dynamics where dominant groups maintain control by discrediting and silencing marginalized voices, ensuring that their grievances are not taken seriously.

Other Perspectives

• It might be considered that the response of crying could be a genuine emotional reaction to being accused of racism, rather than a strategic or conditioned response.
• Focusing on the emotional reactions of individuals in a conflict may overlook the complexity of interpersonal dynamics and the possibility that multiple parties may feel genuine distress.
• The focus on obligation might overlook the efforts and instances where women of color successfully center the conversation on the real issues at hand, despite any discomfort it may cause to others.

Feminists and anti-racists of white descent sometimes exploit these principles to advance their own goals, potentially obstructing true advancement for women of diverse heritages.

The author examines the limitations present in movements for women's rights and racial equality, especially when those advocating for these causes fail to fully examine their own racial privileges and power. She underscores instances in which white women who claim to advocate for intersectional feminism also set their own terms and determine the essence of the criticisms put forth by women of various racial backgrounds, thus undermining their independence and silencing their voices. Ruby Hamad argues that this type of nominal backing primarily aims to maintain the existing societal position of white women, potentially obstructing genuine progress for all women.

Other Perspectives

• The concept of "exploitation" implies a deliberate and knowing misuse of principles, which may not accurately reflect the intentions or awareness of all white feminists and anti-racists; some may be acting out of a genuine desire for equality but lack the necessary perspective or education to avoid inadvertently centering themselves.
• The process of fully examining and understanding one's racial privileges is complex and ongoing, and while some may not have fully examined these privileges, it does not necessarily mean they are not committed to doing so.
• The criticism might overlook the collaborative efforts between white feminists and feminists of color that have been effective in addressing intersectional issues, suggesting that there is potential for solidarity and mutual support within the movement.
• Genuine progress can be subjective and multifaceted, and what may seem like an obstruction in one context could be viewed as progress in another.

Women of color frequently encounter significant resistance when they challenge the biases and behaviors that stem from white women, underscoring the substantial role these women play in muting differing perspectives.

Hamad suggests that a negative reaction occurs when women of color express their concerns about white feminism, which serves to silence them and maintain the existing racial hierarchy. In feminist circles, when women of color articulate their encounters with racism, they are often disregarded and labeled with terms like "confrontational," "irate," or "harmful," which diminishes their experiences and silences their perspectives. The writer argues that these tactics are used to control and maintain power disparities, which perpetuates oppression and makes genuine solidarity impossible.

Practical Tips

• Engage in role-playing exercises where you practice responding to situations where someone is being labeled unfairly. This can help you develop the skills to intervene in a constructive way when you witness women of color being described as "confrontational" or "irate," and advocate for a more accurate and respectful understanding of their experiences.
• You can recognize and challenge power disparities by starting a personal journal to reflect on daily interactions. Note any instances where you might have witnessed or been a part of a situation that reinforced power imbalances. Reflect on how these situations could have been handled differently to promote equality. For example, if you notice that certain voices are consistently overlooked in meetings, you could make a conscious effort to encourage and amplify those voices.

Other Perspectives

• Solidarity may be more resilient than suggested, capable of withstanding and growing from internal critique and conflict, including the challenging of biases and behaviors.

The portrayal and daily experiences of women of color are profoundly shaped by the intertwined influences of race, gender, and societal power dynamics.

The final section examines how the complex interplay of race, gender, and authority shapes societal views of women from various ethnicities. Ruby Hamad encourages women of various ethnic backgrounds to recognize the persistent influence of colonialism and slavery on the way we interact socially and to embrace new strategies that dismantle existing power structures, thereby fostering true solidarity.

Colonialism and white supremacy have consistently employed strategies that centralize the ongoing subjugation of women of color as a key tactic.

Hamad emphasizes the deep connection between racial and gender prejudice, pointing out that colonial and white supremacist efforts have fundamentally incorporated the subjugation of women of color. The creation of these social strata conferred upon white women a version of womanhood considered superior to that ascribed to women from various ethnic groups. Ruby Hamad argues that the artificial separation was used to rationalize the unfair treatment of women from various ethnic backgrounds and, unintentionally, also limited the freedoms and rights of white women.

White women were historically depicted as paragons of purity and sophistication, a narrative that was underscored by characterizing women of color as deficient in moral integrity and excessively sexual.

The author underscores that the exaltation of white womanhood has traditionally been contingent upon the simultaneous devaluation of women belonging to diverse ethnic backgrounds. The portrayal of women of color as lacking in virtue and morality has contributed to the elevation of white women as paragons of purity and sophistication in white society. Hamad argues that this binary way of thinking has historically justified the complex subjugation of women of color across social, economic, and personal domains, and it continues to shape modern interactions and views regarding these women.

Context

• In media and literature, women of color have often been portrayed through hypersexualized stereotypes, such as the "Jezebel" trope for Black women, which contrasts with the "Madonna" image often reserved for white women.

Other Perspectives

• There is a growing body of research in psychology and social sciences that suggests people's attitudes and beliefs are malleable and can change with new information, indicating that historical views are not necessarily fixed in modern times.

Communities of color often exhibit anti-Black sentiment, which reflects their internalization of white supremacist standards of beauty and a tendency to align themselves more with traits considered white.

Hamad explores the tendency among various non-white communities to favor lighter skin tones and display prejudice towards darker ones, suggesting that these attitudes stem from the absorption of beauty standards centered around whiteness and a desire to align more with white identity. She examines the widespread use of products designed to lighten skin in India and how those possessing paler complexions frequently distinguish themselves from individuals with darker skin tones among communities of color, highlighting the persistent influence of these historical legacies.

Practical Tips

• Create a book club with friends or neighbors focusing on literature by Black authors or about Black experiences. Use these discussions to explore and dismantle anti-Black sentiments by gaining a deeper understanding of Black culture and history. This can help shift perspectives and create a more inclusive community mindset.
• Create a personal journal to reflect on and deconstruct your beauty ideals. Write down your thoughts on what you consider beautiful and why, then analyze how these standards may have been influenced by societal norms. This self-reflection can help you become more aware of internalized biases and work towards appreciating a broader spectrum of beauty.
• You can explore diverse cultural expressions by attending events or consuming media from various ethnic backgrounds to broaden your understanding of different traits and values. By doing this, you immerse yourself in cultures that may be different from your own, which can help you appreciate and recognize the richness of traits that are not traditionally considered white. For example, you might attend a cultural festival, listen to music from different parts of the world, or watch films by directors of various ethnicities.
• Start a journal where you reflect on your daily interactions and how they may be influenced by racial identity. Write down at least one interaction each day where you felt your race played a role, and describe the context, your feelings, and why you think race was a factor. This practice can help you become more aware of the subtle ways in which racial identity shapes your experiences and interactions with others.
• Create a visual collage using images from diverse sources that celebrate a variety of skin tones. This activity can help you internalize the beauty of diversity and reinforce positive perceptions of all skin colors. Use magazines, online images, or photographs, and display your collage in a place where you'll see it daily.
• You can explore your implicit biases by taking online tests such as those offered by Project Implicit. These tests can reveal subconscious preferences or biases related to skin tone, which you might not be aware of. Understanding your own biases is the first step in addressing them and can lead to more conscious and inclusive behaviors.
• Create a personal timeline that includes major historical events alongside your life milestones. This visual representation can help you see the intersection between your personal history and the larger historical context. For example, if you were born in a post-war era, consider how the economic and cultural climate of that time might have influenced your upbringing and opportunities.

Women from diverse ethnic backgrounds frequently experience a precarious state of liminality, where they are not completely recognized as individuals or as paragons of womanhood, which amplifies their sense of exclusion.

Hamad underscores the vulnerable situation of women of color within societies where whiteness prevails, highlighting how their identity is often viewed as missing the complete characteristics and traits typically linked with womanhood. They are in a precarious position, being judged in comparison to the benchmark of white female identity while also bearing the burden of stereotypical racial assumptions. Ruby Hamad presents the case that women from diverse ethnic backgrounds frequently encounter a specific form of oppression that is commonly overlooked and not acknowledged.

Context

• Liminality refers to a transitional or in-between state where individuals do not fit neatly into established categories. This concept is often used in anthropology to describe rites of passage but can also apply to social identities.
• The idea of womanhood is a social construct that has been predominantly defined by white, Western norms, which can exclude those who do not fit this mold.
• Daily encounters with microaggressions—subtle, often unintentional, discriminatory comments or behaviors—can accumulate over time, contributing to a pervasive sense of exclusion and invalidation.
• The concept of whiteness as a prevailing societal norm has roots in colonialism and imperialism, where European powers imposed their cultural standards and values on colonized regions, often marginalizing indigenous and non-white populations.