The Sources Say…
By: Tommy “Tj” Sotomayor

THE National Museum of African American History and Culture has been accused of “racism” after releasing a whiteness chart that links hard work and a nuclear family unit to white culture.

The graphic, titled Aspects and Assumptions of Whiteness and white culture in the US, also mentions a focus on the scientific method and self-reliance are intrinsic to the “dominant” white culture.

The chart is part of a larger “Talking About Race” section of the museum’s website, which aims to explain white privilege and how it is linked to the oppression of people of color.

“White dominant culture, or whiteness, refers to they way white people and their traditions, attitudes and ways of life have been normalized over time and are now considered standard practices in the United States,” according to the chart.

“And since white people still hold most of the institutional power in America, we have all internalized some aspects of white culture–including people of color,” it says.

The museum’s “whiteness” chart was shared to Twitter by conservative commentator Bryon York, and immediately met with some backlash, particularly from users who claim that people of color also hold the outlined American values.

“Imagine thinking black folk [don’t] also follow this format. Imagine thinking black families [don’t] also follow the Mom Dad 2-3 Kids format, [don’t] also work hard for themselves and [don’t] value individuality. I’m sorry, whose the real racist here?” wrote one user who goes by the handle @WallyintheAlly.

Some of the “white” values named in the chart include rugged individualism, the nuclear family where the husband is the breadwinner, a heavy focus on the history of European immigrants, the “protestant work ethic” where work comes before play, Christianity, wealth equating to self-worth, a “bland is best” steak and potatoes approach to culture and a “Barbie” is beautiful approach to aesthetics.

The list goes on to include how the American justice system is based on English common law, Americans are taught to “win at all costs” and always strive to be No. 1 and the value of being polite and refusing to show emotion.

The website’s “Talking About Racism” section goes on to explain some key terms in the discussion about race in America – a discussion that has recently come into the national spotlight, sparked by the police killings of George Floyd and other Black Americans. Widespread protests have been calling for police reform as well as true racial equality in the US.

“Racism is perpetuated by deeming whiteness as superior and other racial and ethnic groups as inferior,” the site explains. “The prevalence of white dominant culture and racism leads to an internalized racial superiority for those who adhere to it.

“The internalized dominance ‘describes the experience and attitudes of those who are members of the dominant, privileged, or powerful identity groups. Members of the [dominant] group accept their group’s socially superior status as normal and deserved.'”

The museum, which is part of the Smithsonian, also took to Twitter to clarify the purpose of their “Talking About Race” section.

“At a time when the soul of our country is being tested, our Talking About Race portal will help individuals and communities foster constructive conversations and much needed dialogue about one of our nation’s most challenging topics: Racism and its corrosive impact,” the tweet said.