'Whites Have Nothing to Do With It' A rhetorical analysis of hegemonic racial discourseThis is an analysis of broad racial discourse through a critical race theory: Responsibility Avoidance Discourse (RAD). RAD is coded English that communicates meaning through connotation, avoidance, and implication as a means of securing its main purposes: enforcing white supremacy, obscuring inequality, and hindering significant racial progress. RAD is extremely effective at directing discussion away from arguments that might induce self-reflexivity or question white privilege. It focuses on discrediting others as a means of legitimizing whiteness. I analyze examples of it from a variety of sources—from political discourse to media coverage and social media trends—to demonstrate its manifestations throughout society.autClarke, Ty LarsonthsBebout, LeedgcSpanierman, LisactbSchool of Social TransformationctbW. P. Carey School of BusinessctbDepartment of EnglishctbBarrett, The Honors Collegeenghttps://hdl.handle.net/2286/R.I.3788138 pages115093930581628716197135329tclarke5In Copyright2016-052018-04-28T08:41:37Textrhetorical analysisSocial JusticeCritical Race TheoryraceResponsibility Avoidance Discourse