Critical Whiteness Theories and the Evangelical'Race Problem':Extending Emerson and Smith's Divided by Faith

摘要

In their 2000 book, Divided by Faith, Michael Emerson and Christian Smith use the case of evangelical Christiansto demonstrate how uncompromising individualist ideals get in the way of clear thinking and decisive action aboutracial inequalities in contemporary American society. We use insights developed from whiteness studies andcritical race theory to sharpen and further extend this analysis. More specifically, we suggest: (1) that anti-blackstereotypes may be subtler, more pervasive, and more functionally necessary than Emerson and Smith assume;and (2) that the individualistic ideals Emerson and Smith focus on are not race neutral but, instead, are partof a taken-for-granted and vigorously defended majority white culture and identity. These points are developedthrough a theoretical reconstruction of Emerson and Smith's argument and a reevaluation of their methodologicalapproach and data. Finally, we present data from a recent national survey of race and religion in American lifethat provide preliminary quantitative support for our revisionist claims.