How to think about whiteness | Myriam Francois

Myriam François teaches us how to consider what whiteness means.
Watch the full talk at iai.tv/video/how-to-think-abo...
In the West today, most white people won’t have thought much about their racial identity. In fact, if you are identified as white, you might even feel uncomfortable describing yourself as 'white'. Discussing whiteness is in fact taboo. Academic and documentary maker, Myriam François, guides us through how to consider what whiteness means to you and how you notice your whiteness day to day.
#MyriamFrancois #socialjustice #whiteness
Myrian François is an academic, documentary maker and currently a research associate at the School of Oriental and African Studies at the University of London (SOAS).
Visit IAI.tv for our full library of debates, talks, articles and podcasts from international thought leaders and world-class academics.
The Institute of Art and Ideas features videos and articles from cutting edge thinkers discussing the ideas that are shaping the world, from metaphysics to string theory, technology to democracy, aesthetics to genetics.
For debates and talks: iai.tv
For articles: iai.tv/articles
For courses: iai.tv/iai-academy/courses

[@TheInstituteOfArtAndIdeas]

What do you think of this talk? Leave a comment below. You can watch the full talk at iai.tv/video/how-to-think-about-whiteness-myriam-francois?KZbin&

[@lambda4931]

Reverend King said it best: “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by their character.” When we continue to focus on color then we continue to focus on color. Let’s stop doing that.

[@ProfessorFlowers]

That's not at all what MLK meant, and you know it. MLK constantly pointed out the racial divide that white people cause. He had no issue in pointing the race of white people, and the power dynamics at play. If you valued the words of MLK, you would not say something so ignorant.

[@DallasATrain7]

@@ProfessorFlowers did he mean that because of the color of your skin you carry baggage and privilege? That because of that baggage and privilige your outlook ok society was therefore invalid? That because of your invalid outlook you were guilty of subconsciously oppressing others though your ignorance of the situation. All because of your skin color? Is that what he meant?

[@ProfessorFlowers]

@@DallasATrain7 I'm sure that no matter what I say, you'll disagree with me. Instead, I would recommend that you go and listen to speeches that MLK has made, and take the time to read his books. I am certain that after engaging with MLK's work, it will be clearer just how offensive the comment I'm responding to is. I hope your studies go well, and goodbye.

[@Deondre_Clark]

White people get to pretend the races they created don't exist. White people also quote MLK to ignore everything he actually stood for.

[@jo18533]

@@ProfessorFlowers Who led the civil rights movement? Was it black people?

[@mqb5151]

ive only just come across this women and I think she could definitely become a voice for the voiceles and im talking about us Muslims. We have no voice, we have no access to media. I hope she becomes the intellectual light for us muslims in terms of bridging the gaps between us all.

[@MoinulKhalique]

Myriam thank you for this fascinating discussion and insight. Many years ago when I was undertaking my degree in social work, I was passionate talking about my experience of racism as an Asian person growing up in East London in the 1970s; as part of lectures on Anti-discriminatory Practice. However, I noticed how conspicuously quiet my fellow white students became during such discussions and I wasn't shy in calling this out. During my studies and research I learnt about the 'colour blind' approach when practitioners often work with people with the notion "I treat all people the same, how can I possibly be racist?" I was fascinated by Bandana Ahmad's book, "Black Perspectives in Social Work" who wrote about the fact that in order to truly work in an anti-racist manner, one needs to take into consideration the lived realities of Black people's lives. More often than not, they are not in positions of power, and unlike white people, they're not the benefactors of white privilege and racism. So Myriam, thank you again for raising this very important discussion.

[@nelsonsimon6046]

Thank you for moving this conversation forward. It's new territory for many white people (and from many of the comments seems to be an uncomfortable topic). I appreciate your courage and integrity in taking this on as a white woman. Of course, while the concept of whiteness (and its related privilege) might be new to white people, it's nothing new to black and brown people. It's something we have to live with every day.

[@tessricher6543]

You are very naive or else you are part of the problem with what's going on with the collateral damaged souls suffering from being mixed and being rejected from each side. This woman is a fraud and a joke... She is no Muslim, just a hard well paid leftist who is inconsistent and disingenuous on so many levels... It's painfully sickening. You are still entitled to your opinion though. Peace.

[@user-nr2ej5sr5e]

The scarf came off 😔

[@john454ful]

always checking the direction which the pc wind is blowing...

[@javedmuhammad1]

The challenges and difficulties reverts to islam endure whilst choosing their new path to their creator cannot be comprehended. Like sister miriam I have seen her struggles via media info. Stay strong miriam and all the reverts as Allah says in the Quran " Do you say you are believers and you will not be tested!" The life of this world is temporary but the infinite life is in the hereafter. May The creator remove the hurdles of all believers and give guidance to all disbelieve! AMEEN. May the creator have his mercy on his creation especially reverts like miriam!

[@wilfredsterling2124]

What I find disturbing is the number of people offended by this academics work, and who in their comments have completely misrepresented her arguments. Surely, the thinking man is the evolving man, or women, no matter what the persons skin colour.

[@jo18533]

Not really. If you constantly deconstruct and demonize an entire race of people there is going to be a backlash. Replace the word 'whiteness' with 'blackness' or 'Jewishness', it would be unthinkable in modern discourse, you have to ask yourself why.

[@user-bt3tj6we7b]

my god her face changed a lot since the last ten years i mean she was sooo beautiful ten years ago and she s not 60 years old she s only 41 old!!! gimme a break !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@snehalpatel9605]

...hide they were brown...or black...how dey do dhat?

[@s.h.2697]

A lot of negative comments, looks like you hit a nerve. Keep up the good work and don't let anyone bully you...let the dogs bark.

[@JMRabil675]

The video is literally racist. You are a bigot if you defend this.

[@jo18533]

What is it you like about what she said?

[@dannyneville1310]

White knight alert.

[@piakrut3476]

looks like WE hit a nerve of yall if y’all dont like whiteness in the first place, ever thought of that honey?

[@snappingbear]

Typical projection. The entire premise of this overtly racist topic is that it "hit a nerve" with the jealous and envious of the remarkable achievements of White people.

[@dmvzfdac]

Just forget it. That’s the best way to think about it.

[@javedmuhammad1]

Sister miriam used to wear a hijab when she reverted to islam many years ago and I used to tell my teenage daughters and wife to look how modest and beautiful the sister looked. Sorry to hear about your experieces sister miram May Alllah swt bless you with his infinite blessings and make your journey easy and protect our Deen and imaan!

[@moves2008]

So she is not Muslim anymore?

[@whitedragon7436]

@@moves2008 That's what I have heard from someone. She probably left Islam and is an ex-Muslim now. I don't know, I am not really sure.

[@moves2008]

@@whitedragon7436 if that's the case then it is really sad for her. Hope she can come back to Islam because if you lose imaan you don't know if you gonna get it back or not. Hope she realises that.

[@empirei8513]

She is still a Muslim but chooses not to wear the hijab anymore. She is still ALLAH child

[@aamerahmed5870]

She is definitely not a model any of our sisters should follow. I used to be inspired by her modesty and used her as an example to talk to my sisters. Forget the hijab. Her overall dressing sense and the way she talks has also gone immodest. I by no means mean to judge a woman based on what she wears. Its the change that is disappointing. There is no progress. She has just gone back to being a non Muslim.

[@goldenweather]

A lot of resistance to this video, you must be doing something good! Be encouraged by this.

[@jo18533]

What is it you like about what she said?

[@snappingbear]

Or much more likely the resistance is because people just don't like racists especially those who make dumb arguments based on envy, jealousy and their inferiority complexes.

[@mishalodin596]

Thank you for sharing light on this topic as a doctor who specialises in political science. Very thorough!

[@arklowrockz]

The thing is Miriam you are a very beautiful and attractive young woman which means that in your entire life you have never been told "Miriam you talk complete and utter shite" This is one of the many privileges that beautiful women enjoy. They get to talk utter nonsense and they NEVER get called out on it. In many ways you have been a little bit poorly served by this because you have never had your sanctimonious little world view challenged and so you breeze through your days thinking you are actually doing something productive. But I seriously doubt this will ever change. You will eventually hit the wall and a lot of what you previously enjoyed heedlessly won't come quite so easily and you will become bitter about it (especially towards blokes). Anyway the mere title of your podcast is so stupendously bumptious that I am sorry but I could not bring myself to listen to it. I know my words sound harsh but you really ought to reflect on this a bit.

[@s.h.2697]

Thank you for demonstrating how 'white privilege' continues to overwhelm all your ideas and thoughts, and how your feelings of superiority continue to make you look down on those who may point out your deficiencies.

[@arklowrockz]

@@s.h.2697 Heaven forbid ma'am, I am merely trying to provide some constructive criticism for this young lady.

[@jo18533]

@@s.h.2697 What race are you?

[@arklowrockz]

@@jo18533 what does it matter isn't race just a social construct???

[@jo18533]

@@arklowrockz No, it's a biological reality.

[@allenwarren1269]

We are all one brown race.

[@DallasATrain7]

I prefer to say we are all shades of orange. (After all brown is just dark orange)

[@allenwarren1269]

@@DallasATrain7 like sunrise and sunset.

[@jo18533]

?

[@snappingbear]

No, no we're not. Maybe open your eyes and pay attention instead of spouting nonsensical ideology.

[@dreamingmusic3299]

The entire idea is insane. "A lot of negative comments, looks like you hit a nerve." Sane people are automatically unnerved when the insane get close to you.

[@snappingbear]

lol. E X A C T L Y.

[@justg2310]

thank you... i really enjoyed this. i wish there was a safe space for us white people to honestly open up about racism/white-supremacy... and just talk candidly about it... from my perspective... the fact that there is no such space... only perpetuates the problem... and leaves people vulnerable to the over arching dogma of their powerlessness i could ramble on... but... i really shouldn’t... so i won’t 🥺

[@justg2310]

@Vlad the Inhaler ... with your gentle ministrations, i’m certain i could reach the pinnacle of apathy

[@jo18533]

'i wish there was a safe space for us white people to honestly open up about racism/white-supremacy' Just go to any University, or switch on the TV, there is an endless stream of this type of stuff.

[@dude999642]

Glad to see that you ditched the oppressive anti-women device know as the 'hijab'. Loved you when you played Kate Winslet's little sister in that movie.

[@jo18533]

Rotherham

[@deven9565]

White (adj). Synonymous with blank, which is synonymous with empty, which is what this fucking video is with logic and understanding of society

[@AllAboutChess1977]

We are swimming in whiteness because we are the indigenous peoples of these lands and we too have a right to self determination.

[@paulthind17]

Don't be so presumptions. The Chinese think they are the most civilised. The Japanese think the same. Well to do Indians....high caste, low castes... Racism or its reverse are products of ignorance, not skin tone. True, human history evolution has a lot to do with how racism started. These days the racists are the least educated. There are different forms of racism in most cultures. The aristocracy despise the working classes in England. The term 'white trash' was coined by whites for whites.

[@EWKification]

There is no such thing as whiteness.

[@levelzanimations]

There's no such thing as blackness either

[@tensaijuusan4653]

What vacuous "wokery" nonsense is this?

[@janellecappel5650]

HOW TF. did these friends of yours "hide and shield who they are at work."??? ~~~~ Maybe this super strange behavior is WHY they were treated differently.... 🤔 Stop your projection, and opt for self reflection.

[@MilanStojanovic9]

Why so much negativity in the comments and the dislikes

[@jo18533]

Deconstructing and generalizing an an entire race in a negative view can likely have that effect.

[@snappingbear]

Because the entirely premise is based on nonsense, jealousy, envy and fragility. It is trying to blame others for their own shortcomings while promoting a baseless, socialist ideology of grievance.