ABSTRACT
Critical Race Theory examines specifically how 'race' and ethnicity have been and continues to be construed in North America. One strand of Critical Race Theory is Critical Whiteness Studies, which investigate how whiteness operates. The word 'critical' suggests that these forms of theory are meant to contribute to reducing racial hierarchies or even abolishing 'race' altogether. This chapter suggests some approaches by looking at Alice Walker's novel The Color Purple. It is important to note, though, that texts are not merely 'objects' to be illuminated by 'theory'. The scholarly field that tries to clarify these mechanisms is called Critical Whiteness Studies. It is a branch of Critical Race Theory that looks specifically at the dominant or hegemonic racial position. Critical Whiteness Studies are also useful for analyzing the cultural effects of North American material culture, for example of toys like Barbie. The whiteness Barbie represents is closely linked to consumption: Her clothing and accessories identify her as upper-middle class.
