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Journal of bioethical inquiry
Mar, 2021;18 (1): 23-31.

The Role of Emotion in Understanding Whiteness.

Belinda Borell
Author Information
  1. Belinda Borell: Wh��riki Research Group College of Health, Massey University, PO Box 6137, Victoria Street West, Auckland, New Zealand. b.borell@massey.ac.nz. ORCID
PMID: 33415593 DOI: 10.1007/s11673-020-10074-z

Abstract

This paper argues that stoicism as a central element of whiteness shapes, controls, and ultimately limits the experience and expression of emotion in public space. I explore how this may play out in particular medical settings like hospitals in Aotearoa New Zealand. I argue that working in conjunction with other values of whiteness identified by Myser (2003)-hyper-individualism, a contractual view of relationships, and an emphasis on personal control and autonomy-this makes hospitals emotionally unsafe spaces for M��ori and other groups who place high importance in the collective sharing of emotion. Using death and bereavement as an example, I suggest that challenging and addressing stoicism in the structure and performance of whiteness in hospital settings may provide an important point of entry for anti-racism measures and health equity.

Keywords

Colonization Emotion Indigenous people New Zealand Racism White privilege

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Grants

  1. 18/571/Health Research Council of New Zealand

MeSH Term

Emotions
Humans
New Zealand
Racism
White People
Journal Article
Article has an altmetric score of 10

Word Cloud

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