whitesplain: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

Yes. The term criticises a specific manner—condescending, uninformed, and dismissive of lived experience. White people can discuss racism as allies, listeners, learners, and informed commentators without engaging in whitesplaining.

No. While it is often used by people of colour to describe an experience, it is also used by white allies and in academic analysis to critique problematic discourse patterns.

'Mansplaining' focuses on gendered condescension, where a man explains something to a woman, assuming she knows less due to her gender. 'Whitesplaining' focuses on racial condescension, where a white person explains issues of race to a person of colour, assuming less authority or knowledge based on race.

The term is controversial. Critics argue it racially generalises white people. Proponents argue it is a specific critique of behaviour rooted in racial privilege, not an attack on white people as a group, and is a necessary tool for describing a common social power dynamic.

For a white person to explain something, especially about race or racism, to a person of colour in a condescending, patronising, or uninformed manner, often while dismissing the latter's lived experience.

Whitesplain is usually informal, critical, socio-political. used in activist, journalistic, academic (critical race theory, sociology), and social media contexts. often pejorative. in register.

Whitesplain: in British English it is pronounced /ˈwaɪt.spleɪn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈwaɪt.spleɪn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.