White supremacy

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Ku Klux Klan parade7 crop

Good Citizen Pillar of Fire Church July 1926

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White supremacy is a racist ideology based upon the belief that white people are superior in many ways to people of other ethnicities and that therefore, white people should be dominant over other races. White supremacy has roots in early colonial history, with the belief being used to justify the European colonization of the Americas, Africa, and parts of Asia. The ideology has manifested in various forms, including slavery, segregation, racial discrimination, and ethnic cleansing.

History

The concept of white supremacy has evolved over centuries, with its origins often traced back to the 16th and 17th centuries during the age of European exploration and colonization. The ideology was used to justify the enslavement of Africans and the colonization of the Americas. In the United States, white supremacy played a significant role in the establishment of slavery and later, the Jim Crow laws, which enforced racial segregation and disenfranchisement of African Americans.

In the 19th and early 20th centuries, white supremacy also influenced the eugenics movement, which sought to improve the genetic quality of the human population by excluding people and groups judged to be inferior, and promoting those judged to be superior. This period also saw the rise of Ku Klux Klan (KKK), a white supremacist group that used terror and violence to maintain white dominance in the southern United States.

During the mid-20th century, white supremacy was challenged by the Civil Rights Movement in the United States, which sought to end racial segregation and discrimination against African Americans. Despite these efforts, white supremacist beliefs have persisted into the 21st century, often taking new forms through the internet and social media, where white supremacist groups can spread their ideologies.

Beliefs and Ideologies

White supremacy encompasses a range of beliefs and ideologies. At its core, it advocates for the social, political, and economic dominance of white people. Some white supremacists also adhere to the notion of racial purity, advocating for segregation to maintain the purity of the white race. This ideology often overlaps with antisemitism, as many white supremacists also believe in conspiracy theories about Jewish control and manipulation of societies.

Impact and Criticism

The ideology of white supremacy has had a profound and devastating impact on societies around the world. It has justified genocide, slavery, racial discrimination, and segregation. Criticism of white supremacy is widespread, with scholars, activists, and communities advocating for racial equality and the dismantling of racist structures and beliefs. The fight against white supremacy is ongoing, with efforts focused on education, legal reforms, and the promotion of inclusivity and diversity.

Contemporary White Supremacy

In recent years, white supremacy has seen a resurgence in some parts of the world, with an increase in hate crimes, xenophobic rhetoric, and the rise of white supremacist groups. The internet has played a significant role in this resurgence, providing a platform for white supremacists to spread their ideology and recruit members. Governments and organizations around the world have taken steps to combat white supremacy, including enacting hate crime legislation, banning white supremacist organizations, and promoting educational programs aimed at combating racism.