When skin matters: A comparative study of manipulating whiteness by Roma of Czech Republic and Burghers of Sri Lanka

KAŠPAROVÁ, Irena. When skin matters: A comparative study of manipulating whiteness by Roma of Czech Republic and Burghers of Sri Lanka. In 2nd International Conference of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka "Peace, Reconciliation and Development Challenges". 2016.

Základní údaje

Originální název

When skin matters: A comparative study of manipulating whiteness by Roma of Czech Republic and Burghers of Sri Lanka

Autoři

KAŠPAROVÁ, Irena

Vydání

2nd International Conference of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka "Peace, Reconciliation and Development Challenges" 2016

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Další údaje

Jazyk

angličtina

Typ výsledku

Konferenční abstrakt

Obor

Archeologie, antropologie, etnologie

Stát vydavatele

Šrí Lanka

Utajení

není předmětem státního či obchodního tajemství

Organizační jednotka

Fakulta sociálních studií

Klíčová slova anglicky

Burghers; Sri Lanka; Whiteness; Roma; Manipulation; Ethnicity

Příznaky

Mezinárodní význam

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Anotace

V originále

This paper looks into the issue of whiteness among the two minorities in the populations of Czech Republic and Sri Lanka respectively, namely the Roma and the Burghers. Despite the scientific abandonment of the concept of race, being revoked visually through the complexion or the color of the skin as well as applied socially as an intrinsic part of division of power, the author argues it is still very much present in everyday society and it is experienced by all the citizens of the two countries that the race and skin color function as two factors of prestige. Various definitions of whiteness are employed and manipulated by the two minorities while interacting with the two majorities they are socially integrated into. The paper explores their variations, similarities, techniques, ideologies and power relations that facilitate them in their moves in society. Negotiation of whiteness among the two particular minorities is placed within larger national contexts, bringing the issues of skin color at the center of attention to both Czech and Sri Lankan societies 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. The paper on the whole is framed within current social science theories of race, racism, whiteness and power.