How is it that after decades, and in some cases centuries, of so-called “progress” that we still find ourselves confronted with grave and dangerous racial disparities in almost everything? On this episode, learn why systemic racism will persist until we excavate the roots of white supremacy.

Additional Resources:

Isabel Wilkerson, Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents

Derrick Bell, Faces at the Bottom of the Well

Thandeka, Learning to be White: Money, Race, and God in America

Baratunde Thurston, How to Deconstructs Racism, One Headline at a Time

Historically, much of everyday life in the U.S. has been organized around the idea that white is good, pure, righteous, and most deserving of privilege, power, and protection. In this way, white supremacy no longer derives its power from an explicit social acceptableness. Instead, it has wedded itself -- almost imperceptibly -- to that which is considered neutral, normal, safe, and reasonable.

Additional Resources:

PBS, The History of White People in America

On this episode, Educate 8:46 tackles a deceptively simple, yet absolutely critical question. What is white supremacy?

It’s more than a term used to describe the behavior of white supremacist organizations. White supremacy can also be traced throughout the history of many systems, institutions, laws, and practices that have normalized the protection and empowerment of white elites above all others.

Additional Resources:

Ibram X. Kendi, Stamped From the Beginning

Carolyn Anderson, White Rage: The Unspoken Truth of Our Racial Divide

Joel Olson, The Abolition of White Democracy

Joe Feagin, Racist America: Roots, Current Realities, and Future Reparations

Nell Irvin Painter, The History of White People