Publication details
When skin matters: A comparative study of manipulating whiteness by Roma of Czech Republic and Burghers of Sri Lanka
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| Year of publication | 2016 |
| Type | Appeared in Conference without Proceedings |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Description | Presentation looks into the issue of whiteness among two minorities in the Czech Republic and Sri Lanka, namely the Roma and the Burghers. Despite the scientific abandonment of the concept of race, being revoked especially visually, through the colour of the skin, the author argues it is still very much present in everyday society and it is experienced by all the citizens of the two countries. Various definitions of whiteness are employed and manipulated by the two minorities. The paper explores their variations, similarities, techniques, ideologies and power relations that govern them. Case studies of two particular minorities are placed within larger national context, bringing the issues of whiteness at the centre of attention to both Czech and Sri Lankan society as a whole. The research method of ethnography is employed, calling upon data extracted from long term observations, in-depth interviews and secondary data analysis. The author takes a constructivist stand point. Text is framed within current social science theories of race, racism, whiteness and power. |