white savior

American  

[wahyt sayv-yer] / ˈwaɪt ˈseɪv yər /

noun

1. a white person who acts to help people of color in a way that creates a narrative, whether intentional or not, suggesting that the people being helped are unable to deal with their own circumstances without such intervention.

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Sensitive Note

The term white savior is often used in discussions of culture and society to describe actions or narratives that suggest marginalized groups lack the agency to solve their own problems. Such portrayals may center the white individual's role or personal growth rather than the experiences of those being helped. In this way, the term can also point to patterns that reinforce stereotypes related to competence and power while minimizing the perspectives of those from racial and ethnic minority communities.

Other Word Forms

• white saviorism
  noun
• white-savior
  adjective

Example Sentences

We didn't go into it with a specific notion we're stating about this whole idea of white savior, white entitlement and all that stuff.

From Salon • Apr. 8, 2023

As an intellectual dismantling of white savior narratives, “Devotion” is smartly done; as an enjoyable heartwarmer to watch with your uncle, it’s stiff when it should soar.

From New York Times • Nov. 23, 2022

"It's our story. There is no white savior in the movie. There's none. We save ourselves," she told Reuters.

From Reuters • Sep. 15, 2022

“We wanted to avoid the white savior thing,” Fellowes said.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 7, 2022

Mr. Taylor linked to an interview he gave the New York Times, in which he said “the idea of replacing Clark Kent with another straight white savior felt like a missed opportunity.”

From Washington Times • Oct. 11, 2021