White Supremacy

Definition

White supremacy is the belief that white people are superior to those of other racial backgrounds and therefore should dominate society. This ideology has been a driving force behind various forms of racial violence and discrimination, manifesting in acts like lynching and influencing movements such as the Universal Negro Improvement Association led by Marcus Garvey, which sought to uplift and empower Black communities in response to systemic racism.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The rise of white supremacy in the late 19th century was fueled by racial violence, economic competition, and social tensions after the Reconstruction era.
2. Lynching became a widespread practice used by white supremacist groups to instill fear within Black communities and maintain social order through intimidation.
3. Marcus Garvey's Universal Negro Improvement Association promoted pride in African heritage and sought to create a sense of community among Black individuals in response to white supremacy.
4. White supremacy led to the establishment of organizations like the Ku Klux Klan, which used terror tactics to uphold white dominance and resist civil rights advancements.
5. The ideology of white supremacy has persisted into modern times, influencing contemporary racial relations and ongoing struggles for equality.

Review Questions

• How did white supremacy contribute to the rise of lynching and racial violence during the late 19th and early 20th centuries?
  • White supremacy served as a justification for lynching and racial violence, particularly in the context of post-Reconstruction America. It created an environment where acts of violence against African Americans were seen as acceptable or necessary to maintain white dominance. This atmosphere of fear not only targeted individuals but also sought to suppress any efforts by Black people to claim their rights or challenge the existing social order.
• Analyze how Marcus Garvey’s Universal Negro Improvement Association responded to the threat of white supremacy in America.
  • Marcus Garvey's Universal Negro Improvement Association emerged as a direct response to the pervasive threat of white supremacy. By promoting Black nationalism, economic independence, and pride in African heritage, Garvey sought to empower Black communities against systemic oppression. The organization encouraged self-sufficiency through business initiatives and cultural pride, countering the negative narratives perpetuated by white supremacist ideologies.
• Evaluate the long-term impacts of white supremacy on African American communities and how movements like Pan-Africanism challenge this ideology today.
  • White supremacy has had lasting impacts on African American communities, perpetuating cycles of poverty, disenfranchisement, and social inequality. Movements like Pan-Africanism challenge this ideology by promoting unity among people of African descent globally and advocating for social justice and equality. By fostering solidarity across borders, these movements aim to dismantle the structures that support white supremacy and empower marginalized communities in their fight for rights and recognition.

Related terms

Lynching: Lynching refers to the extrajudicial killing of individuals, primarily African Americans, carried out by mobs in public settings, often as a means of enforcing racial control.

Jim Crow Laws: Jim Crow laws were state and local statutes enacted in the South that enforced racial segregation and discrimination against African Americans from the late 19th century until the civil rights movement.

Pan-Africanism: Pan-Africanism is a movement that seeks to unify and empower people of African descent worldwide, promoting solidarity against colonialism and racism.