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Notes -
I am not so sure if it is simply a binary of "White" vs "Non-White".
I believe this is more akin to a Red Tribe vs Blue Tribe scuffle, as Scott commonly mentions. It is more of difference in which "type" of White person one is. Red Tribers, especially White Red Tribers, are depicted as having higher in-group biases shown through racism and discrimination, along with a host of other traits ascribed to your typical "back-country, red-neck" Republican. On the other hand, Blue Tribers are depicted conversely as understanding the history of racism and discrimination, and are accommodating in terms of cultural and ethnic acceptance, often to the point of their own self-detriment. These stereotypes are reified both in the media and in daily conversations, if one notices the subtle undertones of many people's speech.
While they may be just stereotypes, they still do have real cultural foundations and implications. An aversion towards racism, whether it be innate or learned, could steer White people towards the Blue Tribe because of these archetypes. Personally, I have witnessed in many peers and friends, either through direct mention of the unsavory stereotypes towards White Republicans, or through indirect methods such as jokes or sarcasm. This is used as a device to increase their status by showing moral superiority over the ignorant White Republicans/Red Tribers. A gander at current media and their attitudes towards Red Tribers should make it obvious that it is a low status identity, in certain areas at least.
This desire to gain status ultimately drives the now Blue Tribe members to convey values or even culture converse to the Red Tribers, effectively showing their membership to the group. However, much of culture ascribed to Red Tribers is traditional "White Culture". Whether it be Country music, Christianity, Meritocracy, and various forms of art, these cultural identifies must be rejected to not be mistaken as a Red Triber. Other cultural ideas must be used instead, especially those without the baggage of Colonialism, slavery, or other discrimination. Consequently, by identifying and pursing these cultural ideas and values leads the Blue Triber to feel closer to Non-Whites, since to the Blue Triber culture is a much stronger glue than race.
Another angle is that the moral significance of being White may be too much for some Blue Tribers to bear. Books such as "White Fragility" state that racism is the White man's original sin, unable to be saved from. The White Blue Triber may attempt to relieve some of the pent up guilt by loosening attachment to White culture.
The last angle I can think of comes from the stereotype that White people are uncool. This theory goes along with the first as they both use status to explain the repulsion from the White identity. In popular media, White people have been portrayed as less cool than their melanated brethren. An explain could be the reaction to White rappers, where many were said to be "corny". That is changing in the current atmosphere, but some of the sentiment is still alive. This reaction to the perceived lack of coolness from Whites could explain the motivations of the less politically active segment of Blue Tribers who are less likely to identify with their ethnicity.
On the other hand, this schism in White identity sort of strengthens the Red Tribers perceived Whiteness. A common theme among White Republican, whether view from the lens of someone like Trump or even red-necks, is the rejection of what the mainstreams prescribes for polite society and replacing it with a rebellion from those values. The sentiment, "You can't tell me what to do!" and then doing the action, even to self-detriment, encapsulates this phenomena. In the face of being told they are wrong, they do the opposite, many times in accordance to their in-group, as seem with "ugly" fashion styles such as mullets, camo, or even raised pick-ups. If sufficient push is given, many Red Tribers are likely to have this approach to race and become more White-centric.
TLDR:
White Liberals are trying to either:
Gain status from identifying opposite of White Republicans.
Escape the perceived shame and guilt from being White that surrounds racial politics.
Gain status from popularity, or from being seen as cool.
White Conservatives may form more White identity to gain status from their in-group, which sometimes defines itself counter to the prevalent liberal norms.
More options
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