Proximity to Whiteness; A Tool for Use at Home and Abroad

[jane_malek]

In reading Husain's study, the section talking about White Muslims rejecting their identification as white reminds me of a pattern I've often noticed with white people. While it is understandable that they are looking for a sense of belonging within the Muslim community, I find it audacious that they try to reject their whiteness.

In online spaces, I've noticed many people adopt labels and identities that are usually marginalised and that might grant them the label of 'minorities' or 'victims'. There's the whole phenomenon of "I can't be racist, I'm gay", a phrase that many people will use to defend themselves and rid themselves of any unlearning of racism they might have to do. In reality, being one minority does not excuse you from doing the work of supporting other minorities, especially when part of your identity is your whiteness.

Instead of trying to reject their whiteness to fit into the Muslim community, a more graceful approach would include using whiteness and the privilege it grants one to uplift the Muslim community, spread awareness, become a spokesperson, etc., especially because white people will usually have an easier time accessing platforms to make their voices heard. (there comes the argument of 'should a white person be a spokesperson for Muslims?', but that's a conversation for another day)

I'd also like to comment on what makes certain non-white people be more read as white than others. In terms of religious identity, identifying as a Christian, whether a Western or Eastern one, automatically places one closer to white Europeans and to European values for civilization. In terms of language, speaking French or English also puts one closer to Europeans, because those are languages spoken by the educated and wise Europeans. These characteristics make off-white people of colour more familiar to Europeans and they become less strange, less savage and oriental. This was indeed the case for Syrians, Iranians, and Lebanese people.

Western languages like French and English, as well as Christianity to a lesser extent, have been used in these places to portray French/English-speakers and Christians as superior to their Muslim neighbours, despite them sharing a nationality. Indeed, in Lebanon, the post-mandate era was marked by a rise in private French language Christian schools, which were overpopulated with rich Christians who claimed to be the 'elite, educated, civilised' class of Lebanon, thanks to their proximity to the French.

It is interesting to see that the privilege of being seen as white can not only be used to integrate the white society abroad, but can also be used to portray oneself as superior to others in one's own nation.