White Innocence
In White Innocence Gloria Wekker explores a central paradox of Dutch culture: the passionate denial of racial discrimination and colonial violence coexisting alongside aggressive racism and xenophobia. Accessing a cultural archive built over 400 years of Dutch colonial rule, Wekker fundamentally challenges Dutch racial exceptionalism by undermining the dominant narrative of the Netherlands as a "gentle" and "ethical" nation. Wekker analyzes the Dutch media's portrayal of black women and men, the failure to grasp race in the Dutch academy, contemporary conservative politics (including gay politicians espousing anti-immigrant rhetoric), and the controversy surrounding the folkloric character Black Pete, showing how the denial of racism and the expression of innocence safeguards white privilege. Wekker uncovers the postcolonial legacy of race and its role in shaping the white Dutch self, presenting the contested, persistent legacy of racism in the country.--
Gloria Wekker's "White Innocence" is a foundational text in critical race theory and postcolonial studies, particularly within the European context. It significantly contributes to discussions on race and power dynamics in the Netherlands, building on and challenging existing scholarship.
The book uses the controversy surrounding Black Pete, a traditional Dutch figure, as a central case study to illustrate and analyze the mechanisms of white innocence and racial denial in Dutch society. Wekker examines how this specific cultural practice reveals broader patterns of racism.
While academically rigorous, the book is known for its accessible prose, making complex theoretical concepts understandable to a broader audience beyond specialized academics. It is often recommended for those new to critical race theory in a European context.