From: webihara@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu (Wataru Ebihara)
Subject: Defining "White" Culture
Organization: The Ohio State University
Distribution: na
Date: Sun, 24 Jan 1993 01:08:05 GMT


What is "White" culture?

Besides the issues involving physical appearance or "race", another
related aspect is "culture".  I think the degree to which one feels
comfortable and "assimilated" in a society or culture depends a
lot on one's values and beliefs and how well they fit with the
mainstream.  Most of these values are unwritten or internalized
without question.  One issue that constantly runs thru Asian
American discussions is the aspect of "cultural differences".
Just what are they?

The following is from "The Counseling Psychologist" (p. 618, Sage
Publications, Inc., 1985) by J. H. Katz.  It makes an attempt to
list the components of so-called "White" American culture.  (Note
that "White" is used as a cultural generalization/stereotype, and
not in reference to "all" Caucasian people.)

I am not providing any good/bad judgement on this at the time, but
thought this might be helpful to some people to understand some
of the conflicts and issues.  Maybe this should be included in 
the FAQ too.

Wataru

P.S.

Please don't flame me personally for this. I'm just posting this 
for "discussion" purposes. There's been a lot of argument over 
the definition of "white", "acting white", etc... and this might 
specify things more clearly. 

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        The Components of White Culture: Values and Beliefs
        ---------------------------------------------------
        
        Rugged Individualism:
        
        -- Individual is primary unit
        -- Individual has primary responsibility
        -- Independence and autonomy highly valued and rewarded
        -- Individual can control environment
        
        Competition:
        
        -- Winning is everything
        -- Win/lose dichotomy
        
        Action Orientation:
        
        -- Must master and control nature
        -- Must always do something about a situation
        -- Pragmatic/utilitarian view of life
        
        Communication:
        
        -- Standard English
        -- Written tradition
        -- Direct eye contact
        -- Control emotions
        
        Time:
        
        -- Adherence to rigid time
        -- Time is viewed as a commodity
        
        Holidays:
        
        -- Based on Christian religion
        -- Based on White history and male leaders
        
        History:
        
        -- Based on European immigrants' experience in the
           United States
        -- Romanticize war
        
        Protestant Work Ethic:
        
        -- Working hard brings success
        
        Progress and Future Orientation
        
        -- Plan for future
        -- Delayed gratification
        -- Value continual improvement and progress
        
        Emphasis on Scientific Method:
        
        -- Objective, rational, linear thinking
        -- Cause and effect relationships
        -- Quantitative emphasis
        
        Status and Power:
        
        -- Measured by economic possessions, credentials,
           titles, positions
        -- Believe "own" system
        -- Believe better and other systems
        -- Owning goods, space, property
        
        Family Structure:
        
        -- Nuclear family is the ideal social unit
        -- Male is breadwinner and the head of the household
        -- Female is homemaker and subordinate to husband
        -- Patriarchal structure
        
        Aesthetics:
        
        -- Music and art based on European cultures
        -- Women's beauty based on blonde, blue-eyed, thin, young
        -- Men's attractiveness based on athletic ability, power,
           economic status
        
        Religion:
        
        -- Belief in Christianity
        -- No tolerance from deviation from single god concept


From "The Counseling Psychologist" (p. 618, Sage Publications, Inc., 1985)
by J. H. Katz.

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Newsgroups: soc.culture.asian.american