Final answer:
Charles Mills' views on white supremacy portray it as a harmful ideology that has been historically used to perpetuate racial inequality. Scholars like Frederick Douglass and W. E. B. Du Bois fought against these narratives, pushing for inclusivity and equal rights in the face of systemic racism and societal prejudice.
Step-by-step explanation:
Charles Mills' opinion on white supremacy is that it is a false and socially constructed ideology that has been used to justify and maintain dominance over other racial groups, particularly Black people. He demonstrates a critical examination of how white supremacist beliefs have shaped societal structures, norms, and disparities. Mills' works align with those of other scholars and activists who have sought to challenge and destabilize these racist ideologies and practices, advocating for racial equality and social justice.
The references provided highlight historical contexts where white supremacy dictated the social, political, and economic dynamics, negatively impacting Black communities. From the public support for the Ku Klux Klan to the lynching of Black individuals for challenging racial codes, white supremacist ideology was deeply ingrained in American society. Moreover, influential African American leaders like Frederick Douglass and W. E. B. Du Bois actively challenged these oppressive structures, finding ways to expose and oppose the systemic racism embedded in the nation's fabric and promoting a more inclusive America.
In the pursuit of equality, they faced significant backlash, including from some white abolitionists and politicians who were not ready to extend full rights and citizenship to nonwhite peoples. Even those white individuals who wanted to help with the upliftment of Black communities often faced a complex mix of resistance and prejudice from various societal segments, including those who profited from the exploitation of Black labor or feared the competition that emancipation and equality would bring.