Against the stream: White men who act in ways to eradicate racism and white privilege and entitlement in the United States of America

The research on racism has largely focused on the actions of the oppressed in their quest for justice. However, this study contributes to the limited literature on White privilege and racism by examining the actions and beliefs of heterosexual White men who act in ways to eradicate racism and White privilege/entitlement in the United States of America. The study of seven heterosexual White men from various regions of the country addresses the following questions: (1) What do heterosexual White men report causes them to act in ways that seek to eradicate racism and White privilege/entitlement in the United States of America? (2) How do they describe their own racism and privilege/entitlement? (3) How do they use their status of privilege/entitlement to do this work? (4) What are the processes that heterosexual White men go through to come to this point in their lives? (5) What are the principles by which they live? (6) Are there significant emotional events/experiences that have led them on this path?; Although many of the participants began their journey thinking their work was with people of color, they concurred that their primary work is with Whites. The participants have found that very few Whites; males in particular, really deal with issues of White privilege/entitlement and racism. Since the White perspective is seen as the “norm,” the men in this study, keep racism at the forefront of their consciousness so as not to slip into denial about the existence of the racial crevasse. Highlights of the study's findings include: (1) Moral foundation, which includes principles of justice, equity and the Golden Rule laid by their parents at an early age, undergirds their actions. (2) Theoretical Model of Intentional Moral Action for Racial Justice illustrates the process that the men went through to get to this point in their lives. The process they go through is moral, not intellectual. (3) Moral insight gained from reflective analysis guides their actions. (4) Primary work is not with Blacks, but with White people to help them become aware of their White privilege and its perpetuation of racism. (5) Issues of racism must be kept at the forefront of their consciousness.; Recommendations were made for parents, teacher education programs and educators in the K–12 educational system.