White Supremacism

The belief in white supremacy forms an integral part of U.S. history. It is inherent in the country's founding, and gave shape to its social, political, and economic institutions in both subtle and explicit ways. The assertion of white supremacy is based on a belief in the innate superiority of white manhood, and the dominance of white manhood has historically served as both the proof and guarantee of white racial supremacy. Given the centrality of manhood to the constitution of white supremacy, challenges to white male power and authority have been viewed as threats to white supremacy itself. White supremacist movements have thus been primarily concerned with the maintenance of white male authority in both public and private spheres, insisting upon the essential nature of ...