The concept of “white” as a racial identity has a complex and often troubling history. It emerged in the context of European colonialism and the transatlantic slave trade, where it was used to justify and reinforce social hierarchies based on skin color. Before the age of exploration and colonialism, people tended to identify themselves more by their ethnic group or nationality—like Greek, German, or Spanish—rather than by skin color.
The term “white” began to gain more prominence in the 17th century. In the American colonies, for instance, laws started to refer to “white” people as distinct from those enslaved or indentured. This was part of a deliberate effort to create a buffer of “free” individuals who had a vested interest in the existing social order. By the 18th century, with the entrenchment of slavery, “white” became a common descriptor in legal documents, reinforcing a social hierarchy that equated whiteness with freedom and blackness with enslavement.
The categorization of people as “white” has shifted over time, with different ethnic groups such as Irish, Italian, and Jewish people being variously excluded from or included within the definition of whiteness, often depending on social, political, and economic factors. The criteria for being considered white have been arbitrary and fluid, demonstrating that race is a social construct rather than a fixed biological reality.
Philosophically, the designation of “white” as a race has been instrumental in shaping narratives of power and privilege. It’s a concept deeply intertwined with historical processes that include imperialism, capitalism, and the social construction of race. This has led to ongoing debates and reevaluations around identity, social justice, and the legacies of history in contemporary society.