11: The Whiteness Paradigm with Michael Lindsay

Michael and Simon, two white men, discuss whiteness as a
paradigm. Their conversation draws on their personal experiences
and addresses the wider systemic issues that are at play. They
reflect on how white fragility plays out, and what it will take
to enable people to move from being defensive, to engage with the
vulnerable curiosity that is required to lead to change? 
   Whiteness is often referred to as a place of
privilege and entitlement, as clearly it is in many social
settings. Yet ‘whiteness’ is not homogenous, and there are
millions of white underclass in the USA (referred to as 'white
trash') and across Europe,  economically impoverished who
have lost the dignity of work and class solidarity, and don’t
feel privileged and entitled at all.  What can we do to
address this aspect of ‘whiteness’ whose rage can lead to
supporting populist and xenophobic right-wing leaders? 
Acknowledging complexity, this conversation explores what can be
done to challenge centuries of racial domination and abuse, and
the endemic racism that still exists in society today.
Questioning the whiteness paradigm is an important part of this
process.


 


Bio 
Michael Lindsay is a consulting and clinical psychologist
practicing in San Diego, CA. He is interested in supporting the
development of consciousness and courage in leaders,
organizational cultures, and in society, using Systems
Psychodynamic and Integral frameworks.


Michael is serving his first year as an Internal Director on the
Board of the AK Rice Institute.


He is a member of the International Society for the
Psychoanalytic Study of Organizations.


In addition to his clinical and consulting practices, Michael is
an Adjunct Instructor at the University of San Diego in the
Leadership Studies Dept. He has also been a yoga instructor for
over 10 years and together with his husband, Michael is raising
two boys, one 7 and the other 3, in a bi-lingual household.