Whiteness and White Privilege: Problematizing Race and Racism in a “Color-blind” World and in Education

Abstract

This article provides an overview of the research papers featured in the current special issue of Women & Therapy. This special issue is dedicated to adding to issues of whiteness and White privilege in the therapy room, bringing to light the issues which are often unseen and, thus, unnamed. By implementing a feminist theoretical framework that highlights whiteness, it is hoped that this special issue contributes to the dismantling of racial hierarchies, chipping away at some of the props that support them. The articles present various cultural critiques of whiteness and White privilege. The articles focus on teaching and training interventions, offering specific strategies and exercises especially for students and practitioners about whiteness and White privilege. Also, the articles focus on microaggressions and being "American," and the ways in which institutional and social structures benefit Whites. It is hoped that the contributions in this special issue foster larger conversations about whiteness and privilege among psychologists- both researchers and practitioners. The articles included here contain theory, history, empirical research, personal reflections, and practical teaching strategies for the classroom. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)