What the heck is “Whiteness”?

And how, exactly, do we get rid of it?

Confused wooden doll | Credit: ChristianChan | Canva (Free Media License Agreement)

I need help. Can someone please tell me what “Whiteness” is?

People are saying that Whiteness is a pandemic, so I’m trying to figure out how to address it. My one request: pretend I’m like the 54% of U.S. adults who read below a 6th-grade level — I want to be able to explain Whiteness to them in very simple and precise language or else the concept will fly over their heads.

Maybe we can start with these questions:

Is Whiteness a skin color?

If so, can you point it out to me?

Skin tone palette | Credit: Saydung89 | Pixabay (Free for commercial and non-commercial use)

All these men seem to have light skin — are all of them part of the problem of Whiteness? Are any of them? Can you tell me how you know, exactly?

Light-skinned men | Credit (from left to right): Getty Images, ASphotowed, studioroman | Canva (Free Media License Agreement)

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