How Intergenerational Cycles of White Ignorance and Incapacity Perpetuate Indigenous Inequality?

Critical race theory provides important insights into the entrenched nature of racism, but also faces the problem of determinism. The assumption that White people will generally act in their self-interest provides no prospect for progressive movements and ignores evidence that this behaviour may have a dimension of White incapacity that can be addressed. White normativity and hegemony mask the contribution White incapacity makes to the social exclusion experienced by First Nations peoples. Public policy and discourse shaped by White hegemony instead identify the problems experienced by Indigenous populations as a product of Indigenous incapacity. It is within this space that we argue for the need and potential to address White capacity for constructive race relations and the related improvements in Indigenous life chances. Drawing on qualitative and quantitative research, including the perspectives of Indigenous peoples, we argue White ignorance maintains Indigenous exclusion, and therefore disadvantage. This subverts assumptions about whose ignorance and capacity must be dealt with to progress national goals of conciliation, address Indigenous disadvantage and achieve justice and equality for Indigenous people.