To add to what John and Pearlie have been discussing, I'd like to bring to
suggest an article that I am reading that might provide even more context to
the discussion. It is "The Critical Study of Whiteness," by David R.
Roediger (Illinoi-Urbana) and was published in The Chronicle Review, July
14, 2006.  Roediger has written quite a bit on "whiteness."

Lillie Fears