Blackophilia and Blackophobia: White Youth, the Consumption of Rap Music, and White Supremacy

Abstract

This paper uses the phenomenon of White youth identification with rap music to argue that Blackophilia (manifested by White consumption of Black popular culture) is linked with Blackophobia (fear and dread of African Americans). Coexistent with White youth fascination with hip-hop culture and African American athletes and celebrities is the continuing manifestation of White youth resistance to programs that challenge institutional racism and the attraction of small but significant numbers of White youth to far-right White supremacist groups. The author argues that these phenomena may be best understood as interrelated aspects of White supremacy.