1. I do think racism is linked to whiteness through the institutionalization of “whiteness” as a structure of domination and control. As Ruth Wilson Gilmore says, capitalism is racial because it has always been linked to practices that create and maintain racial hierarchies. She argues that capitalism will no longer be racial capitalism: it will be so through much more than the eradication of white people from life; rather, it happens when the structures of exclusion and privilege that “white” represents are dismantled. In this context, “white” represents a construct of unchecked power and privilege that marginalizes some for the benefit of others. It creates and maintains hierarchies that dehumanize and exploit different groups.
2. I agree with her view. The prison system has expanded the category of “criminal” through systemic mechanisms that include longer sentences, broader definitions of crime, and obstacles to reintegration into society post-incarceration. It has criminalized poverty, homelessness, and systemic inequality, and this creates an endless stream of people labeled as “criminals.” Gilmore critiques this system as a product of racial capitalism, designed to concentrate surpluses and control marginalized populations rather than address underlying social issues.
3. Gilmore describes “liberation struggle” as a collective, place-based process where communities actively resist oppression by addressing local needs. This struggle is grounded in solidarity, mutual dependence, and a commitment to rethink and reconstruct systems that oppress and marginalize. For example, she mentions the work of self-built communities in Lisbon, where people resisted displacement by organizing and educating themselves about colonialism, racism, and broader systems of inequality. It is about creating spaces for collective consciousness and action that aim for systemic transformation.
