American Chimera: The ever-present domination of whiteness, patriarchy, and capitalism... a parable

This chapter begins with a parable that challenges the essence and existence of the American Chimera. It provides a parable to tell a fictional story to elaborate on some important issues of intersectionality, and the varied ways that white supremacy, patriarchy, and capitalism intersect with one another in lived experiences in institutional settings. The chapter emphasizes the interpersonal emotional engagement required to work toward social justice in higher education in light of identity politics. It suggests that a deeper analysis of intersectional oppression, thus reflecting a vision of the subject in contrast with that invoked and developed in the earlier periods of educational theorizing about gender and sexuality. The chapter analyses how educational and societal white dominance will persist unless deconstructed and mitigated. It presents the idea that the American Chimera of patriarchy, capitalism, and whiteness is constantly intertwined and becomes threatened when the absurdity of a racially transmitted disease enters the racial imagination.