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Article
Discursive Fault Lines: Reproducing White Habitus in a Racially Diverse Community
Critical Sociology (2012)
  • Meghan A. Burke, Illinois Wesleyan University
Abstract
This is a qualitative study detailing the links between racial discourse and social action. Specifically, this article provides evidence for the ways in which a white habitus is reproduced in a racially diverse community, despite the best intentions of its community members. This is chiefly due to the influence of national color-blind ideologies and the diversity discourse that follows. Because this ideology and discourse are individual in nature and centered on a white norm, it chiefly produces consumption-driven actions for individuals and collective action that protects those with racial privilege. While prior studies have detailed the influence of this ideology on racial attitudes and examined the contours of diversity discourse generally, this study utilizes the racial formations approach to make concrete links to social outcomes in a diverse community. These findings are particularly significant given the hope vested in racially diverse communities as the nation itself becomes more diverse.
Keywords
  • Color-blind ideology,
  • discourse,
  • diversity,
  • integrated neighborhoods,
  • racial project,
  • racism,
  • sociology,
  • white habitus.
Publication Date
2012
Publisher Statement
Critical Sociology is published by Sage Publishing. For more information on this journal please visit the journal homepage.
Citation Information
Meghan A. Burke. "Discursive Fault Lines: Reproducing White Habitus in a Racially Diverse Community" Critical Sociology Vol. 38 Iss. 5 (2012) p. 645 - 668 ISSN: 0896-9205
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/meghan_burke/3/