Introduction
Racial categories have played a significant role in shaping social, political, and economic dynamics throughout history. Among them, the term “white people” stands as a deeply entrenched construct with origins in colonialism and systemic hierarchy. In recent years, scholars and activists have questioned the utility and consequences of maintaining such racial labels, particularly when they reinforce divisions and obscure shared humanity. This essay explores the idea of moving beyond the term “white people” in our lexicon—not to erase history or identity, but to challenge the power structures embedded in racial categorization and foster a more equitable and inclusive society.
The Historical Construction of Whiteness
The concept of whiteness is not biologically grounded but socially constructed. It evolved alongside European imperialism and transatlantic slavery to justify hierarchies of dominance. Roediger (1991) documents how whiteness was cultivated in the United States to delineate privilege and suppress labor solidarity across racial lines. Similarly, Ignatiev (1995) illustrates how ethnic groups like the Irish were gradually incorporated into whiteness through legal and cultural mechanisms, reinforcing its flexible and exclusionary nature.
The Problem with Maintaining “White” as a Category
The term “white people” often collapses vast ethnic and cultural differences into a monolithic identity while simultaneously upholding systemic privilege. DiAngelo (2018) argues that whiteness functions as an unmarked norm in Western societies, rendering it invisible and thus resistant to critique. López (1996) shows how the legal system has historically enforced this category through inconsistent and often arbitrary definitions, further demonstrating its constructed and ideological basis.
Language is a critical site of power. According to Hall (1997), the way we name and categorize people shapes both identity and the social order. By continuing to use terms like “white people” uncritically, we risk reinforcing a social hierarchy that positions whiteness as central and normative.
Reframing Identity Without Erasure
The goal of moving beyond the term “white people” is not to erase history or identity but to promote more nuanced and responsible forms of self-description. Emphasizing cultural, national, or ethnic backgrounds—such as German American or Italian Canadian—can help decenter whiteness and affirm diversity within populations historically grouped under that label. This approach aligns with Coates (2014), who stresses the importance of specificity and historical accountability when discussing race and identity.
Challenges and Considerations
Racial categories, despite their constructed nature, still carry real-world consequences. As Foucault (1972) notes, discourses of power are not easily dismantled simply by changing vocabulary—they must be interrogated and transformed through broader structural and cultural shifts. Eliminating or redefining racial terminology must therefore be accompanied by active efforts to address systemic inequalities and educate about the historical roots of these classifications.
Conclusion
The call to move beyond the term “white people” in our lexicon is part of a larger effort to challenge the ways language reinforces social hierarchies. By recognizing whiteness as a historically contingent and politically powerful construct, we open space for more equitable and inclusive ways of thinking and speaking about identity. This shift requires intentional reflection, education, and social commitment—but it is a necessary step toward a more just society.
References
Coates, T.-N. (2014). The case for reparations. The Atlantic. https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2014/06/the-case-for-reparations/361631/
DiAngelo, R. (2018). White fragility: Why it’s so hard for white people to talk about racism. Beacon Press.
Foucault, M. (1972). The archaeology of knowledge (A. M. Sheridan Smith, Trans.). Pantheon Books.
Hall, S. (1997). Representation: Cultural representations and signifying practices. Sage.
Ignatiev, N. (1995). How the Irish became white. Routledge.
López, I. H. (1996). White by law: The legal construction of race. NYU Press.
Roediger, D. R. (1991). The wages of whiteness: Race and the making of the American working class. Verso.