White Tears/Brown Scars

1. White Tears Weaponize Innocence, Silencing Women of Color

Whether we are angry or calm, shouting or pleading we are always seen as the aggressors.

Weaponizing tears. White women can weaponize their tears, leveraging their perceived innocence and vulnerability to deflect accountability and silence women of color. This dynamic often plays out in interpersonal conflicts, where a white woman's distress is automatically prioritized over the legitimate grievances of a woman of color.

Societal power dynamics. This phenomenon is rooted in societal power dynamics, where white women are often seen as the prototype of womanhood, deserving of protection and sympathy. This perception can make it difficult for women of color to be heard or believed when they challenge white women's behavior.

Challenging the status quo. Recognizing and challenging this dynamic is crucial for creating a more equitable society. It requires white women to be aware of their privilege and to actively work to dismantle the systems that perpetuate these harmful patterns.

2. Colonialism Created Harmful Stereotypes of Women of Color

How colonialism rigged the game against women of colour.

Historical roots. Colonialism established a system of oppression that relied on harmful stereotypes of women of color. These stereotypes, such as the Jezebel, the China Doll, and the Native Princess, were used to justify the exploitation and subjugation of women of color.

Perpetuating inequality. These stereotypes continue to have a lasting impact on how women of color are perceived and treated today. They contribute to the devaluation of women of color and make it more difficult for them to be seen as fully human.

Challenging stereotypes. It is essential to challenge these stereotypes and to create more accurate and nuanced representations of women of color. This requires a conscious effort to deconstruct the harmful narratives that have been perpetuated for centuries.

3. Binary Archetypes Box In and Limit Women of Color

Binary sex is both function and feature of white supremacy.

Limited roles. Beyond the hypersexualized stereotypes, women of color are often forced into binary archetypes, such as the Angry Black Woman or the Dragon Lady. These archetypes limit the range of emotions and behaviors that are deemed acceptable for women of color.

Dehumanizing effect. These archetypes are dehumanizing and prevent women of color from being seen as individuals with their own unique experiences and perspectives. They also make it easier to dismiss or invalidate the concerns of women of color.

Breaking free. Breaking free from these archetypes requires challenging the underlying assumptions and biases that perpetuate them. It also requires creating spaces where women of color can express themselves authentically without fear of judgment or reprisal.

4. White Womanhood's Foundation Rests on the Subordination of Women of Color

White people set the standards of humanity by which they are bound to succeed and others bound to fail.

Historical context. The concept of White Womanhood was constructed in opposition to the perceived inferiority of women of color. White women were elevated as symbols of purity and virtue, while women of color were denigrated and dehumanized.

Maintaining power. This dynamic served to maintain white supremacy and to justify the exploitation and oppression of people of color. It also created a system in which white women were both privileged and subordinated.

Challenging the narrative. Challenging this narrative requires recognizing the ways in which White Womanhood has been used to uphold white supremacy. It also requires creating a more inclusive and equitable definition of womanhood that values the experiences and perspectives of all women.

5. Strategic White Womanhood Perpetuates Systemic Racism

Though white fragility is triggered by discomfort and anxiety, it is born of superiority and entitlement.

Maintaining dominance. Strategic White Womanhood refers to the ways in which white women consciously or unconsciously leverage their privilege to maintain their dominance in society. This can include weaponizing their tears, invoking stereotypes, and silencing women of color.

Unconscious bias. This behavior is often rooted in unconscious bias and a lack of awareness of the ways in which white women benefit from systemic racism. It can also be a deliberate attempt to protect their own interests and maintain the status quo.

Taking responsibility. Addressing Strategic White Womanhood requires white women to take responsibility for their actions and to actively work to dismantle the systems that perpetuate inequality. This includes listening to the experiences of women of color and challenging their own biases.

6. White Feminism Often Excludes and Exploits Women of Color

I tell you that if there is any class of people who need to be lifted out of their airy nothings and selfishness, it is the white women of America.

Limited scope. Mainstream Western feminism has often been criticized for its narrow focus on the concerns of white, middle-class women. This can lead to the exclusion and marginalization of women of color, whose experiences are often shaped by both gender and race.

Appropriation and erasure. White feminists have also been accused of appropriating the work and experiences of women of color without giving proper credit or recognition. This can further silence and marginalize women of color, making it more difficult for them to be heard.

Inclusive feminism. Creating a more inclusive and equitable feminism requires recognizing the unique challenges faced by women of color. It also requires actively working to amplify their voices and to create spaces where they can lead and shape the movement.

7. The "Lovejoy Trap" Diverts Focus from Systemic Issues

The world doesn’t stop for the tears of black women, FeministGriote concluded, and it is up to white women to stop this destructive behavior.

Shifting blame. The "Lovejoy Trap" refers to the tactic of diverting attention away from systemic issues by focusing on individual cases or anecdotes. This can be used to deflect criticism and to avoid addressing the root causes of inequality.

Undermining progress. This tactic can be particularly effective in undermining efforts to address racism and sexism. By focusing on individual cases, it becomes easier to dismiss or invalidate the experiences of marginalized groups.

Staying focused. Resisting the Lovejoy Trap requires staying focused on the systemic issues and challenging the underlying power dynamics that perpetuate inequality. It also requires recognizing the ways in which individual cases are often used to distract from larger patterns of oppression.

8. Breaking Free Requires Recognizing and Dismantling White Womanhood

Western society is built on a foundation of profound inequality that persists but that many people remain invested in denying.

Deconstructing the myth. Breaking free from the cycle of oppression requires deconstructing the myth of White Womanhood. This means recognizing that white women are not inherently innocent or virtuous, and that they are capable of perpetuating harm.

Challenging power. It also means challenging the power dynamics that allow white women to silence and marginalize women of color. This requires creating spaces where women of color can lead and shape the conversation.

Building solidarity. Ultimately, creating a more equitable society requires building solidarity across racial and gender lines. This means recognizing the unique challenges faced by all women and working together to dismantle the systems that perpetuate inequality.

Last updated: March 12, 2025