Contesting Inequality and Republican Values: Examining Metzl on Whiteness
In a thought-provoking article, G.M. Trujillo, Jr., Ph.D., delves into the controversial book, "Dying of Whiteness," written by Jonathan Metzl. The book, published in 2019, explores the negative health consequences of racial resentment among white Americans in politically conservative areas of the United States.
Metzl's work has received praise from critics and academics, providing data and anecdotes that show how racism has real consequences. However, the theory of "whiteness" operative throughout the book is enigmatic, leading some to question its clarity and identifiability.
The author points out an apparent contradiction in Metzl's argument: the states with the largest percentage of non-Hispanic white citizens are not necessarily the ones with the worst healthcare outcomes. This observation challenges the notion that "whiteness" is directly linked to poor health outcomes in the United States.
Metzl's book does not interview people at country clubs or political fundraisers to ask why they support racist policies. Instead, it focuses on understanding the complex anxieties among white Americans that lead them to support right-wing politicians and policies that harm them.
One of the criticisms levelled at the book's title, "Dying of Whiteness," is that it implies whiteness is a terminal illness with no cure. This interpretation has sparked debate, with some arguing that it oversimplifies the issue and others finding it a powerful call to action.
The book also makes little mention of other factors contributing to poor health outcomes in the United States, such as the impact of rich families sending their children to private schools on the education system, or the systemic inequalities produced by tying school funding to property taxes.
Moreover, Metzl's book does not discuss how the IRS admits that it is cheaper and easier to audit the poor, so they focus on that. This omission raises questions about the book's comprehensive approach to understanding health disparities in the United States.
In an interesting twist, Metzl proposes an alternative theory: Republican policies, rather than "whiteness," are causing poor health outcomes in certain states. He supports this argument by using statistical and anecdotal evidence to show that conservative states, such as Missouri, Tennessee, and Kansas, have worse outcomes in areas like gun control, healthcare, and education compared to more progressive states.
The author questions how to identify "white policies" and why they would harm white people, as Metzl's own data suggests that "whiteness itself is a negative health indicator" in the United States. This raises intriguing questions about the relationship between race, politics, and health policy.
In conclusion, "Dying of Whiteness" is a thought-provoking book that offers valuable insights into the complex relationship between race, politics, and health outcomes in the United States. However, it also leaves room for further discussion and analysis, particularly in terms of its use of the term "whiteness" and its comprehensive approach to understanding health disparities in the United States.
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