whitelash

[hwahyt-lash, wahyt‐]

noun

1. a hostile or violent reaction by white people to the advances or influx of other racial or ethnic groups.

   a whitelash against African Americans, immigrants, and Muslims.

Word History and Origins

Origin of whitelash¹

First recorded in 1965–70; blend of white ( def. ) and (back)lash ( def. )

Example Sentences

Are we in the backlash, the whitelash, or the backlash to the whitelash, and when will white liberals lose interest?

From New York Times

We live in a time of “whitelash”, when – across the western world – the winning of rights and freedoms by women and minorities has provoked a furious reaction.

From The Guardian

This lies partly at the root of “whitelash” against the struggles of minorities for equality.

From The Guardian

Culturally, it's the best of times and the worst of times: A period in which the “whitelash” to multiculturalism has become increasingly violent.

From Los Angeles Times

A time in which the “whitelash” to multiculturalism is becoming increasingly violent.

From Los Angeles Times