Mini-series Whiteness is Shape-Shifting

Pt. 1: When Fascism Rebrands — Elon Musk and the Aesthetics of Whiteness 

In this episode, Maureen dives into the shape-shifting nature of whiteness—how it survives by mutating into rebellion, reason, and innovation. She takes us into the political spectacle surrounding Elon Musk’s “America Party,” his tech-fueled propaganda, and the cultural silence that followed his Nazi salute on a presidential stage.

Drawing on the work of W.E.B. Du Bois and Ruha Benjamin, Maureen traces how whiteness adapts-selling domination through calm logic, clean design, and “free speech.” What we’re witnessing isn’t an outlier. It’s a blueprint. And without discernment, we risk becoming part of its performance.

This episode is an invitation to slow down, notice what pulls our attention, and ask:
 Is this charisma-or alignment? Is this disruption-or repackaged dominance?

We also draw from the film Sinners as a cultural mirror. In the film’s world, vampires can’t harm anyone unless they’re invited in-a haunting metaphor for how whiteness operates. It doesn’t demand domination outright. It seduces us into silence, performance, or comfort—and then feeds on our complicity. Discernment, in this sense, is our refusal to offer that invitation.

In this episode we explore:

• Elon Musk’s rebranding of white supremacist logic
• W.E.B. Du Bois’ concept of the psychological wage of whiteness
• Ruha Benjamin’s framework of the New Jim Code
• How whiteness sells itself as progress—while reproducing harm
• Why discernment is a critical skill in the age of performance

This week’s reflection:

• Where have I mistaken sleek language, tech-forward branding, or contrarian leadership for actual transformation?
• Where do I follow charisma over alignment and how does that shape who I trust, hire, or elevate?
• What truths might be hiding underneath what looks “logical,” “objective,” or “neutral”?
• What’s working, what’s not and for whom?

This is not about shame—it’s about sight.
 Discernment isn’t suspicion. It’s care, clarity, and choice.

For more resources or to join the community, visit:
 www.eyesonwhiteness.com
www.cultivatingintersectionalleadership.com

Support the show

This episode was created with deep love, and deep thanks to the frameworks and tools within Cultivating Intersectional Leadership, a course I co-created with Diedra Barber.

CIL isn’t just a training. It’s a transformative journey—one that supports individuals and organizations in making the systemic, strategic, and spiritual shifts needed to build something different.
Something rooted in justice. Something aligned with who we say we want to be.

You're invited to learn more or inquire about participation at:
🌐 www.cultivatingintersectionalleadership.com
Or visit our podcast site at:
🎧 www.eyesonwhiteness.com

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If you’re holding big questions, write them down.
And if you’re tired—rest. But don’t quit.