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Show "What You Mean I'm Pretty Good For A Whiteboy?": Race and Privilege Cognizance Among Whites In Traditionally Black Hip Hop Culture Whiteness theory seeks to deconstruct and expose whiteness as the norm in America. Because socially constructed whiteness is the norm, those who are white or, may be white identified, enjoy extensive privileges. As whiteness becomes normalized it also becomes invisible. The invisibility of whiteness results in the invisibility of privilege. Because whiteness and privilege are invisible, those who benefit from white privilege may not be cognizant of race or privilege. It has been said that because young white folks are crossing racial lines, they have discovered a means to racial equality. This study draws on interviews with young white folks to examine whether their participation in hip hop culture has made them aware of white privilege. While some white folks are leaving segregated white spaces and becoming race and privilege cognizant (Frankenberg 1993), the study found, many whites stay in almost exclusively white social circles. As a result, it is possible for many white folks never to question what Dreama Moon (1993) calls the "normative" and "universal" conditions of whiteness. Despite their exposure to traditionally black hip hop culture, many white folks retain their "white solipsism" (Rich 1979). Rather than seeing racism as a structural or institutional problem, they see it as an individual problem in which they are not implicated. Thus, many white folks involved in hip hop culture embrace a colorblind, power and privilege evasive stance (Frankenberg 1993). Other white folks, however, move into new social circles as a result of their involvement in hip hop culture and become privilege cognizant. This study looks at some of the limits and possibilities of white participation in traditionally black hip hop culture as a means of developing race and privilege cognizance. Matthew J. Birkhold Class Standing: Senior Major: Sociology E-mail: dnoc99@hotmail.com Faculty Sponsor: Audrey Thompson Education, Culture, and Society E-mail: Thompson@gse.utah.edu |