What is White Culture?
White people do have their own culture. Now take a step back and breathe.
Many have a powerful reaction to the idea of white culture. There could be several different reasons for this. People tend to react strongly to discussions on ethnicity and culture in general. Everyone has firm opinions on the matter but rarely are they well versed. Another problem is that we may hear or read something, but our interpretation registers.
In this post, we will examine culture in general, the white American culture, and why it’s necessary to discuss it.
Why Does the Idea of White Culture Upset People?
There is an unwritten rule amongst non-supremacist white people: you do not name race.
You don’t see the race of others, and you do not name the white race. This is done with the idea that you won’t risk offending anyone if you don’t name race. Over time, you get people who feel it’s wrong to name race but cannot explain why this is so.
If you’re uncomfortable with your race, you can’t be comfortable with the race of others.
Some might immediately conclude that when someone says there is white culture, they denigrate white people.
Regarding racial and ethnic minority groups, problems within their communities are viewed as “cultural” by the dominant group. This is done when people [mis]use the term Black culture.
Because of how our society views Black culture and the cultures of other minority groups, some may misinterpret what is being discussed.
It is concerning to see how quickly people conclude that the most prominent traits of white culture mean that the cultures of racial and ethnic minorities lack those traits.
Many assume that by naming the elements of white culture, what is being suggested is that other groups do not have those same elements.
For example, after releasing information on its website that explained the white culture, the National African American Museum was involved in controversy. They listed this information because to understand African American history and culture, you must first understand the white culture.
Conservative pundits and politicians were enraged. Some misinterpreted the information listed as a way of insisting the values of the white American culture make one a white supremacist. Others quickly proclaimed that white American values are American values, period.
These individuals failed to understand that naming aspects of a culture does not imply a comparison with other groups.
It is concerning to see how quickly people conclude that the most prominent traits of white culture mean that the cultures of racial and ethnic minorities lack those traits.
Moreover, no one asserts that white American culture is another way to name racism or white supremacy. Lastly, the notion that the values held by white culture are equivalent to American values is a narrow, profoundly ingrained perspective on American society and what it “should” entail.
Some may think culture is something other people have.
That culture is a way to explain the differences between others in contrast to white people. And therefore, white people are just normal.
It doesn’t help that when we talk about cultures, we’re discussing the cultures of racial and ethnic minority groups only. This unwittingly validates the idea that culture means unfamiliar, foreign, peculiar, and bizarre. Even the term ethnic is misused to describe people not considered white and their cultures.
Common Responses to the Notion of White Culture:
The most common responses I get when discussing white culture are, “No, we are just American” and “no, we are Irish, German, Italian, etc.” I’ve also gotten, “That’s the most racist thing I’ve ever heard.”
It is incorrect to assert that white Americans are just American.
The US is a country comprised of many different cultures. The white culture happens to be the dominant culture. But it is still just one of the many.
It is also incorrect to consider oneself Irish, German, Italian, etc.
If you have German ancestry, then you have German ethnic ancestry. That does not make you a German person.
How much do white Americans have in common with German people? Chances are most, if not all, don’t speak the German language. The social norms are not ones developed in German society. And the hamburger and occasional stroganoff are most often the extents of German influence on the diet.
White Americans are American… and so are other groups in the US.
In fact, to people from other countries, we’re all just Americans despite our cultural differences. And this is where our cultures get more accurately identified within American society.
This is where we start hyphenating our nationality (American) with our race or ethnic ancestry. It’s just white people haven’t had to do this before.
The Thinking that Develops Within a Monoculture
When a group of people who share the same heritage makes up the dominant group of a nation, the lines between race, ethnicity, and nationality get blurred. Then you must factor in the racial structure of American society that has enabled the majority of white Americans to live in a monoculture.
This has caused a general lack of awareness about one’s race within the dominant group. There is a lack of understanding that white Americans are an ethnic group.
This is why white culture considers itself simply “American” and its values and traits solely “American.” It does not need to mention race because this group is regarded without race or culture. Others must be identified to distinguish them from so-called “normal” everyday Americans.
Why Talk About the White Culture?
- Understanding your culture and the cultures around you is necessary because otherwise, you expect everyone to act and behave just like you.
- The dominant group has shaped and molded all other groups in the United States. So to understand the cultures of racial and ethnic minority groups, you must first understand the white culture.
- Many, if not most, of the values and beliefs within the white culture are presented as “the American way.” They are seen as ideals to live up to, and an end all be all for Western civilization.
When considering one’s ideals, it’s essential to ask if they are great or if the group defines its ideals and values and what it does as great.
There are other ways to be. And different cultures within the US have been practicing other values and traditions throughout its history. The US still stands today.
A Few Disclaimers Before We Proceed:
It is easy to believe that the elements of white American culture are the only way, but this is incorrect thinking.
The named aspects of a culture are not exclusive to that culture.
When cultures are described from an anthropological perspective, several basic categories characterize them. These categories include beliefs, values, customs, and social organization.
Often, different cultures share a lot in common with other cultures. When discussing white culture, we do not list the values and traits exclusive to white people.
No group is a monolith.
Saying there is a white culture is not to say we white people are a monolith. However, we are discussing generalizations for the most part. But that doesn’t mean all people who are part of a specific culture share every cultural aspect in common or agree with every aspect of their culture.
Example: Not every person is religious, but the main religion observed by culture will be familiar to all its members. That religion will have influenced traditions and customs. Religion will play a role in each member’s life, even if one does not practice the faith.
Avoid all-or-nothing thinking.
One thing I cannot emphasize more is to avoid all-or-nothing thinking as we continue. You might likely think that because the nuclear family is named as the white American culture’s family unit, other cultures do not value “the family unit.”
When we discuss white culture, we are NOT listing the values and traits exclusive to white people.
However, other cultures value different types of family structures, too. It is easy to believe that the elements of white American culture are the only way, but this is incorrect thinking.
The Differences Between Race and Culture
Before understanding what makes up the white culture, we must understand the difference between race, nationality, ethnicity, & culture. These 3 things are not mutually exclusive for every group.
Race would be the typical physical characteristics shared amongst people that distinguish them.
Nationality is a person’s specific country or territory. Many people today will refer to themselves by their nationality.
Ethnicity refers to a shared culture, history, language(s), ancestry, practices, and beliefs.
And finally, culture is defined as a group’s social behavior and customs. Culture is fundamental to ethnicity.
What Types of Cultures are there?
There are many different types of cultures. There’s the culture that forms within society and region. Then there are the cultures that form within the workplace, place of worship, and community.
How we individually identify changes with environment and circumstance.
When you go to another country, you are American, regardless of your racial identity. You might only identify by your home state when traveling around the United States. You might label yourself in social circles by religion, profession, or marital status.
What’s in a Culture?
Several essential elements apply to every group. These elements include but are not limited to:
- Communication
- Beliefs and religious views
- Marriage practices
- Values
We first look at these essential elements to better understand a group of people.
What is White Culture?
The average white American can trace their ancestry to several European ethnicities, with minimal ties to other racial or ethnic groups. White American culture is primarily rooted in British culture, influencing American identity and values.
Every European group that immigrated to the United States fully assimilated into English-American culture within a few generations. Today, the requirements for qualifying as white remain stringent on race.
Judith H. Katz is a consultant, author, and speaker on diversity, inclusion, and conscious leadership issues.
She composed the following chart that lists aspects and assumptions of white culture in the US.
Some Aspects of the White American Culture
Marriage & Gender Roles:
Patriarchal values and heteronormativity play a significant role in shaping views on marriage within white American culture.
Traditionally, marriage has been viewed as a union between a man and a woman, with the man being the head of the household. This view is rooted in the patriarchal values prevalent in Western culture for centuries. Patriarchal values emphasize male dominance and female submissiveness. Men are viewed as their families’ primary providers and protectors.
There is a strong emphasis on traditional gender roles. Women are often expected to be caregivers and homemakers. Men are expected to be the breadwinners. These gender roles are reinforced through media, religion, and other cultural institutions.
Patriarchal values and heteronormativity continue to shape views on marriage within white American culture. But, progress has been made toward greater inclusivity and acceptance.
Religion:
Christianity is the norm within the white culture. It is the Protestant religion that has influenced and shaped the culture.
Protestantism is a branch of Christianity that originated in the 16th-century Reformation. It includes various denominations, such as Lutherans, Baptists, Methodists, and Presbyterians.
Although religion is declining, the Christian faith has influenced many of the values and beliefs within the white culture. These include emphasizing individualism, personal autonomy, self-expression, and achievement.
Holidays:
The holidays in white culture are based on Christianity. This is a reflection of the dominant role Christianity has had in shaping the white American culture.
However, over time, the importance placed on tradition and heritage gradually gave way to the influence of popular culture. As a result, many of the customs and practices of white American culture became increasingly influenced by mainstream society’s dominant trends and values.
This shift ultimately paved the way for the emergence of what is now commonly referred to as “Hallmark Holidays,” which are often characterized by their commercialized nature and their emphasis on the exchange of gifts rather than on the deeper, more meaningful aspects of the occasion.
Food:
Immigration from all over the world contributes to the white American diet of today. But the diet of Northwestern Europeans continues to be the main structure of white American cuisine. Meat and potatoes are foundational to the overall diet. Also included are bread and dairy products.
The Civic Religion
For white Americans, the cultural identity is deeply rooted in the British culture of the original colonists. Today much is shared with the white people of the United Kingdom and other British colonized societies worldwide.
However, what sets white Americans apart is the shared civic religion.
Rugged Individualism
One of the key elements of white American culture is the emphasis on individualism. Great value is placed on personal autonomy and achievement. This mindset is often reflected in the country’s political and economic systems, prioritizing free markets and limited government intervention.
The Forefathers
These values include a deep-seated reverence and admiration for the Forefathers. These men were instrumental in the nation’s founding. They established a system of government that has endured for centuries.
White Americans deeply admire the founding fathers in a way that other groups do not typically relate with.
Law and Order
The civic religion places significant emphasis on the importance of law and order. While law and order are essential components of every culture, the white American’s love and admiration of law and order as a system that works for them rather than against them has significantly shaped its history and current attitudes.
Christianity
Christianity plays a pivotal role in this civic religion. Many white Americans value the Bible’s teachings and religion’s role in shaping their personal and civic lives.
These elements are revered and protected values.
These values are deeply ingrained in the culture of the community and have been passed down through generations. The community sees these values as essential to their way of life, and they go to great lengths to ensure that they are upheld.
The Fear of Change
Historically, the fear of change has played a prominent political and social role.
Members may come to believe that any changes in values directly threaten the security and foundation of American life and their freedoms. This is especially true when it comes to changes in social or cultural values, as these are often seen as a way of undermining the very fabric of society.
This fear of change can also extend to other areas of life, such as technological advancements or shifts in economic policies. Members may view any changes as threatening their way of life and may resist them at all costs.
Heternormativity
Many members of this group may view the growing acceptance of LGBTQ+ rights as a direct threat to traditional family values and the institution of marriage. As a result, they may feel compelled to take action to protect these values, whether through political activism or other means.
Masculinity
Muscular Christianity, for example, emerged as a response to the changes brought about by the Industrial Revolution. The movement emphasized physical fitness and discipline to counteract the fear of lost manhood due to industrialization.
Immigrants
The fear that German immigration could lead to the replacement of the English language and Protestant religion gave way to the Know Nothing Party. This movement was characterized by its anti-immigrant and anti-Catholic stance.
The party was formed in the mid-1800s and quickly gained popularity. Many members were elected to local and state offices. But the party’s influence declined in the years leading up to the Civil War.
The party forever impacted American politics and society. The party’s attitudes have influenced modern anti-immigrant movements, how immigration is perceived, and national identity.
Is this Anti-White Racism?
It may not feel good to hear others name negative aspects of the white culture, but that does not make it an act of racism or anti-white bigotry.
Every culture has its positive and negative aspects, including white culture. However, acknowledging these aspects does not mean denigrating the culture or its people. Such acknowledgments do not contribute to unfair biases or stereotypes that may marginalize white people.
It is not a betrayal or a symptom of self-hatred to acknowledge both the good and the bad; it is a sign of maturity and wisdom.
While it may be easy to focus on the negative traits of a culture, it is important to acknowledge that there are also positive traits that should be appreciated. For example, white culture has significantly contributed to art, music, and literature.
At the same time, it is vital to recognize and address the negative aspects of white cultures, such as the oppression of other groups of people & white supremacy.
By acknowledging our cultures’ positive and negative elements, we can have a more nuanced and honest understanding of them. It is not a betrayal or a symptom of self-hatred to acknowledge both the good and the bad; it is a sign of maturity and wisdom.
Conclusion
Accepting and understanding that there is a white culture is essential for many reasons.
For white people, it’s necessary to understand that they, too, have a culture just like the other groups do.
Recognizing white culture can help racial and ethnic minorities understand societal norms and power structures. By acknowledging that white culture exists, individuals from these groups can better make sense of their own experiences.
An awareness of white culture can help to foster greater cross-cultural understanding and empathy. By recognizing and celebrating the differences between cultures, we can better appreciate and respect one another. This can help to break down barriers and promote greater inclusivity and diversity in society.
Understanding and acknowledging the existence of white culture is a crucial step toward creating a more inclusive and equitable society for all. By recognizing the unique cultural traits within different racial and ethnic groups, we can celebrate our differences and work towards a more harmonious future.
This is where we start!
This is a fantastic article about White Culture and how it manifests itself in the United States. The connection made between White Culture being promoted as American Culture brings light to how this impacts other cultures in the United States. I thoroughly enjoyed the graph created by Judith H. Katz. And learning about how industrialization created the physical fitness and discipline narrative because men were afraid of losing their manhood.