Protecting the Self, Protecting White Supremacy

Book excerpt: Historically, research connected to social justice has focused on the experiences, challenges, and strengths of individuals on the margins (Jamel, 2017). Only more recently has research begun to address individuals of relative privilege who exert power over marginalized groups and may perpetuate the current system of straight White male hegemony. White fragility is one concept through which the internal operations of a relatively privileged group may be explored. White Fragility resembles psychological defense mechanisms (e.g., projection, denial) in its behavioral manifestation and function. Defensive responses to White privilege also vary by gender. Accordingly, this exploratory study examined whether gender moderated the relationship between psychological defenses and White Fragility. Results of this study may serve as a springboard for further White Fragility research and continued investigation of the processes by which White Americans increase their racial cognizance.