This document discusses George Lipsitz's book "The Possessive Investment in Whiteness" and some of the key concepts and arguments it puts forth. Lipsitz uses the concept of "possessive investment in whiteness" to explain how whiteness generates advantages that are often invisible, such as preferential access to housing and job opportunities. He argues that systemic racism in areas like housing, education, employment, and environmental policy have created social and economic inequalities between white people and people of color in the U.S. The document asks questions about how Lipsitz characterizes white and minority experiences of race in America and how this relates to narratives of meritocracy and progress.
2. OWS and Foreclosures
What do we learn about OWS and
banks/housing in that article?
Why are foreclosures an important issue for
OWS to be tackling?
3.
4.
5. Bill Moore's Body
What does Lipsitz use the story of Bill Moore to
illustrate?
What concerns does he raise about using this
story?
6. Possessive Investment in Whiteness
What do you think this concept means?
What does he mean by "whiteness has a
cash value"? (vii)
Why is Lipsitz using this concept, rather than
just talking about racism or discrimination?
8. White Views vs Minority Experience
How does Lipsitz characterize white views of
race in the United States?
How does this match or contradict experiences
of people of color in the US?
How does this connect to progress narratives
and the myth of meritocracy?
9. Liberal Individualism?
● natural rights
○ freedom, liberty, independence
● social contract between individuals and
government
○ role of government is to protect and guarantee
individual freedoms
● group identification is contrary or a threat
US property systems are a key example of, and
force for sustaining, liberal individualism.
