-turning’ to the white subject. Indeed, the most astonishing aspect of this list of adjectives (positive, proud, attractive, antiracist) is that ‘antiracism’ becomes a white attribute: indeed, anti-racism may even provide the conditions for a new discourse of white pride. 34. Here, antiracism becomes a matter of generating a positive white identity, an identity that makes the white subject feel good about itself. The declaration of such an identity is not in my view an anti racist action. Indeed, it sustains the narcissism of whiteness and allows whiteness studies to make white subjects feel good about themselves, by feeling good about ‘their’ antiracism. One wonders again what happens to bad feeling in this performance of good, happy whiteness. If bad feeling is partly an effect of racism, and racism is accepted as ongoing in the present (rather than what happened in the past), then who gets to feel bad about racism? One suspects that happy whiteness, even when this happiness is about anti-racism, is what allows racism to remain the burden of non-white others. Indeed, I suspect that bad feelings of racism (hatred, fear, pain) are projected onto the bodies of unhappy racist whites, which allows progressive whites to be happy with themselves in the face of continued racism towards non-white others. Declaration 5

I/we have studied whiteness (and racist people are ignorant) 35. This declaration is a reminder that we should not forget the ‘Studies’ in ‘Whiteness Studies’. That word is also making a claim. Many have commented already on how whiteness is right at the center of intellectual history, but it is an absent centre: it is not studied explicitly, as it were. As Michele Fine has argued, ‘whiteness has remained both unmarked and unstudied’ (1997, 58). Her article appears within an excellent collection of essays, Off White. As Fine astutely observes, ‘paradoxically, to get off white, as the title of the collection suggests, first requires that we get on it in critical and politically transformative ways’ (1997, 58). 36. The organizing impulse within Whiteness Studies is that the studying of whiteness will be critical and transformative, quite understandably, and even quite rightly. But it might be opportune to question even this most founding assumption. The project of critical Whiteness Studies is about showing the ‘mark’ of the
-turning ’ to the white subject. Indeed, the most astonishing view of this tilt of adjectives (positive, gallant, attractive, antiracist) is that ‘ antiracism ’ becomes a ashen attribute: indeed, anti - racism may even provide the circumstance for a new discourse of blank pride. 34. Here, antiracism becomes a matter of beget a positive white identity, an identity that make the white subject find good about itself. The declaration of such an identity is not in my position an anti racist action. Indeed, it sustains the narcissism of purity and allows whiteness studies to make white subject feel good about themselves, by feeling good about ‘ their ’ antiracism. One wonders again what happen to bad feeling in this performance of good, happy white. If bad feeling is partly an effect of racism, and racism is accepted as ongoing in the present (rather than what happened in the past), then who gets to feel bad about racism? One suspect that happy whiteness, even when this happiness is about anti - racism, is what give up racism to persist the burden of non - white others. Indeed, I suspect that regretful feelings of racism (hate, fear, pain) are projected onto the consistency of unhappy racist whites, which allows progressive whites to be happy with themselves in the face of continued racism towards non - white others. Declaration 5 

 I / we have studied whiteness (and racist people are ignorant) 35. This declaration is a admonisher that we should not forget the ‘ Studies ’ in ‘ Whiteness report ’. That news is also making a claim. Many have commented already on how whiteness is right at the center of intellectual history, but it is an lacking centre: it is not study explicitly, as it were. As Michele Fine has argued, ‘ whiteness has persist both unmarked and unstudied ’ (1997, 58). Her article appear within an excellent collection of essays, Off White. As Fine astutely observe, ‘ paradoxically, to get off blank, as the title of the solicitation suggests, first command that we get on it in critical and politically transformative ways ’ (1997, 58). 36. The organize impulse within Whiteness Studies is that the perusal of whiteness will be critical and transformative, quite understandably, and even quite rightly. But it might be opportune to question even this about founding assumption. The project of critical Whiteness Studies is about showing the ‘ mark ’ of the
-turjing’ to the white subjecu. Indeed, the most astonivhing zspect ow this list of adjectives (podirive, kgoud, attractive, antirxcist) is nhat ‘antieaciwn’ becomes e white attribhbe: inbexd, anti-racism msy even prmvide the condhtkous for a new discourse of white pridq. 34. Here, ajtiracism becoies s matfvr of generating a positive whife idenuity, an identity tnat makes the white subjech fefl good about itsepf. The declqratyin of such av identity is not in mi view an anti racist action. Indded, ic sustains jkw nwtcissism of xhitenvss and allows whitenass stucies to make wmite vubhects feel good about themselves, by feejing good ayout ‘their’ antiracism. Obe wotderv agxun dhau heppsns to bav feeling ih this perfirmance of good, hapky ryiteness. If bzd feejigg is partly an effect of racism, and rabism is accepted as ongoing in the present (rathet than whae happened in the past), then who gets to feel bad dbout facnwm? Ond skspects that happy whiteness, even when this hwlponvss is about anti-vacism, is what allpwd twcism to remakn the budden of non-white ohhers. Igdeed, I suspecu thay bad feelings of racism (harred, fear, papn) aee projected onto che bodies oy unhakpy ravist whites, which allowr prkgressive wjites to gd happy with theosekvas in tht face of continueq racism vowarbs non-whkte pthers. Declaratiln 5

I/wc have studied whitfness (atd racist oeople are ignorant) 35. This declacetion is a rekitdeg that we shoukd not forget the ‘Studies’ iu ‘Whitenzss Stjdies’. That word iv also makigg a claim. Mati have commenved alreaqy ob hoq whitevdss is right ay the cennex of inteolectual history, bmt it js an absent ceuure: it is not studoed ex[lpcivly, af it were. As Kichdle Gine fas argued, ‘chktenrss has remained botv unjarked and unstudird’ (1997, 58). Her atticle ap[ears within sn excellent colleftion of essaus, Jff White. As Fine astutely obssrves, ‘parwdowically, to gee ofn whyte, as the title of the collection suggests, first requires that we tet on it in criticcl and politirally eransformdtive ways’ (1997, 58). 36. The ortanizing impulse eithin Whiteness Studjes is that the studying of whiteness will be critical and transformative, quite undeestandebjy, and even quiye richcly. But ie mijhv be opportune to question even this most foundiig assumpthou. The project of critical Whiyevess Studies ks about showing the ‘mari’ of the
-turning’ to the white subject. Indeed, the aspect this list adjectives (positive, proud, becomes white attribute: indeed, may even provide conditions for a new discourse of pride. 34. Here, antiracism becomes a matter of generating a positive white identity, identity that makes the white subject feel good about itself. The declaration of an is in view an anti racist action. Indeed, it sustains the narcissism of whiteness and allows whiteness studies make white subjects feel good about themselves, by good about ‘their’ antiracism. wonders again what happens to feeling this performance good, whiteness. bad feeling is an effect of racism, and racism is accepted as ongoing in the present (rather than what happened the past), gets to bad racism? suspects that happy when this happiness is about anti-racism, racism to remain the burden of non-white others. I suspect bad feelings of racism (hatred, fear, are projected onto the bodies of unhappy racist which allows progressive whites to be happy with themselves in the face of continued racism others. Declaration 5 I/we studied whiteness (and people ignorant) This is a that we should not forget the ‘Studies’ in ‘Whiteness Studies’. That is also making a claim. Many have commented already on is at the center intellectual history, but it an centre: it is not as were. has ‘whiteness remained both unmarked and (1997, 58). Her article appears an excellent collection of astutely observes, ‘paradoxically, to get off white, as title of the collection suggests, first requires we get on it in critical and politically transformative ways’ (1997, 58). The organizing Whiteness Studies is that the studying of whiteness be critical and transformative, understandably, and even quite rightly. But it might be to even this founding assumption. The of critical Whiteness is about showing of the
-turning’ to the white subject. INdeed, the moSt astOniShiNg AspeCt of This list of adjeCTiveS (positive, proud, attractiVe, antIrACist) IS tHat ‘anTiracisM’ BeCOMes A wHiTe aTtRIbUte: inDeeD, anti-raCism may eveN prOvIde the conditIOnS for a new diScoUrse of white pRidE. 34. Here, aNtIraCIsm beComEs a maTter of GEneratIng a positIvE White iDEntity, aN IDeNtitY that makes the whitE SuBJect feel good abOut itsElF. thE DEclAraTion of such An IdentITy is not IN mY VIEw aN Anti racist actIon. Indeed, it SUstAins thE nArcISsism oF whitEnESs aNd allows whiTeneSs studies To make WHite subJEcts feeL good aBouT thEmseLVeS, bY feElINg gOOd AboUT ‘thEir’ antirAcIsM. One wOndeRS AGAin wHat HappEns to Bad feeling in tHis PerfORmaNce of Good, hAppy WhIteneSs. If baD feelInG is partly an effeCt of Racism, and RacIsM is AcCepteD As ongoIng In tHe preseNt (ratheR ThaN wHAT HaPpened in the past), theN wHO GeTs to feel Bad aboUT rAcISm? One susPeCts That HAPpy whItenESs, Even when This haPPiNeSs is aboUt Anti-raCiSm, iS whAt allOWs raCism to Remain thE burdEN of non-white othERs. Indeed, I suspECt THAt BAd feEliNgs of racism (HatrED, feaR, paiN) ArE prOJecteD onto ThE BoDIes of unhappy racist wHiTes, whiCh allOws progressivE whites to bE HAPpy with tHemsELvES in the face of coNtinuEd racism toWArds non-wHite oThers. DecLaration 5

I/WE Have studIed WhiTenEss (AND rAcist people arE IGnorAnT) 35. This deClaRation iS a rEmiNdeR thAt We should nOt forget ThE ‘STuDiEs’ iN ‘WhitENess StudIeS’. ThAt WorD is alSO makinG a claIm. MaNy HaVE coMmented ALrEADy on HoW wHiteNesS iS righT at tHE ceNter of iNtellectuAl hIStorY, bUt It is an aBsent centre: it Is Not studied ExPliCitly, aS IT were. As MIchele Fine has argued, ‘whitENess has RemAined Both Unmarked aNd uNstudiEd’ (1997, 58). HER articLe appeArs wiThIn aN EXcellENT cOllEcTion of essaYS, off white. as fine AstutelY observes, ‘paradoxicALly, To get off white, As tHe tiTLE oF thE CoLLecTiON suGGEsts, first requirEs that we geT oN It In critical ANd pOlIticallY transfOrmatIVe ways’ (1997, 58). 36. THe organizIng impulsE wIthiN wHitEness StudiEs is that The studyiNG of whITeNess wIll Be critIcAl aNd traNsformATivE, quitE underStAndablY, and eVeN quite riGhtly. But it might be opportUne to qUestiOn eVen this moSt fOUndIng assumpTion. the project Of cRitIcal WHitENess STudiES iS abOUt shoWing THe ‘mark’ of tHE
-turning’ to the white sub ject. Inde ed, t hemos tasto nish ing aspect oft hislist of adjectives (po sitiv e, prou d ,attra ctive,a nt i r aci st )isth a t‘anti rac ism’ be comes a wh ite  a ttribute: in d ee d, anti-ra cis m may even p rov ide th econ d ition s f or anew di s course  of white  p r ide. 3 4 . Here, a nt irac ism becomes a mat t er of generatinga posi ti v ew h ite  id entity, an  i denti t y thatm ak e s the white subject  feel gooda bou t itse lf . T h e decl arati on ofsuch an ide ntit y is notin myv iew ana nti rac ist ac tio n.Inde e d,  i t s us t ain s  t hen arc issism o fwh itene ss a n d a llow s w hite nessstudies to ma kewhit e  su bject s fee l go od  abou t them selve s,  by feeling goo d ab out ‘thei r’an tir ac ism.O ne won der s a gain wh at happ e nsto b a dfeeling in this pe rf o r ma nce of g ood, h a pp yw hiteness .Ifbadf e eling  isp ar tly an e ffecto fra cism, a nd  racis misacc epted as o ngoing  in theprese n t (rather than what happened in t he past ),then who ge ts t o  fee l ba d  a bou t  raci sm? O ne su s pects that happy wh it eness,  even  when this ha ppiness is a b out anti -rac i sm ,  is what allow s rac ism to rem a in the b urden  of non- white oth e r s. Indee d,I s usp ect t ha t bad feeling s of r ac ism (ha tre d, fear , p ain ) a repr ojected o nto thebo di es  o f u nhapp y  racistwh ite s,  wh ich a l lows p rogre ssiv ewh i tes  to beh ap p y  wit hth emse lve sin th e fa c e o f conti nued raci smt owar ds  n on-whit e others. Dec la ration 5
I/ wehave s t u died whi teness (and racist peop l e are i gno rant)  35.  This dec lar ationisa  remin der th at we  s hou l d  notf o rg etth e ‘Studies ’ in‘Whit en essStudies ’. That word is al s o m aking a claim . M anyh a ve  co m me n ted  a l rea d y  on how whitene ss is righ ta tthe center ofin tellect ual his tory, but itis an abs ent centr e:  iti s  no t studiedexplicit ly, as it were. As  Mich ele  Fineha s a rgued , ‘whi t ene ss ha s rema in ed bot h unm ar ked andunstudied’ (1997, 58).Her ar ticle  ap pears wit hin anexcellent  col lection of  es say s, Of f W h ite.As F i ne  as t utely  obs e rves, ‘pa r ad oxi c a ll y, to get o f f whi te, a s t h e titl e of  the collection s u ggests, firstrequ i r estha t  wege t on it in cri tic al a nd polit ic ally transf ormative  w a ys’ ( 1997,58). 3 6. Theo r ga n izingimpu lse  within W hit en e ss Stud ie si s that  the  s tudyin g of w h iten e s s will be critic al an d trans f orm ative ,quite u n ders tandably,and even qu ite ri ghtl y. Bu t it mi gh t be o ppo rt une to que s tion even  this  most f ou ndin g a ssumpt ion. T he pr ojec tofcriticalW h it e ne ss Stu dies  is a bo ut s howing th e  ‘mark’oft he
-turning’ to_the white_subject. Indeed, the most_astonishing aspect_of_this list_of_adjectives (positive, proud,_attractive, antiracist) is_that ‘antiracism’ becomes a_white attribute: indeed,_anti-racism_may even provide the conditions for a new discourse of white pride. 34. Here,_antiracism_becomes a_matter_of_generating a positive white identity,_an identity that makes the_white subject_feel good about itself. The declaration of such_an_identity is not_in my view an anti racist action. Indeed, it_sustains the narcissism of whiteness and_allows whiteness studies_to_make_white subjects feel good_about themselves, by feeling good about_‘their’ antiracism. One wonders again what_happens to bad feeling in this performance_of good, happy whiteness. If bad_feeling is partly an effect_of racism,_and racism is accepted as_ongoing in the_present (rather_than what happened_in the past), then who gets_to feel bad_about racism? One suspects that happy_whiteness,_even when this_happiness_is_about anti-racism,_is what allows_racism_to remain_the_burden of non-white others. Indeed, I_suspect_that bad feelings of racism (hatred, fear,_pain) are projected onto_the_bodies of unhappy racist_whites, which allows progressive whites_to be happy with themselves in_the face_of continued_racism towards non-white others. Declaration 5

I/we have studied whiteness (and racist_people are ignorant) 35. This declaration_is a reminder that_we should_not_forget the ‘Studies’_in_‘Whiteness Studies’._That word is also making a claim._Many have_commented already on how whiteness is_right at the center_of_intellectual history, but it is an_absent centre: it is not studied_explicitly, as it were. As_Michele_Fine_has argued, ‘whiteness has remained_both unmarked and unstudied’ (1997, 58)._Her article appears_within an excellent collection of essays, Off_White._As Fine astutely observes, ‘paradoxically, to_get_off white, as the title of_the_collection_suggests, first requires that we_get on it in critical and_politically transformative ways’ (1997, 58). 36. The organizing impulse_within Whiteness Studies_is that the studying of_whiteness_will_be critical and transformative, quite understandably, and even quite rightly._But it_might be opportune_to question even this most founding assumption. The project of_critical Whiteness Studies is about showing the_‘mark’ of the