Book Talk with Chandran Nair: Dismantling Global White Privilege: Equity for a Post-Western World

Rundown

6.30pm Drinks
7pm Book Talk
8pm Ends

In his book Dismantling Global White Privilege: Equity for a Post-Western World, author Chandran Nair argues that a belief in the innate superiority of White people and Western culture is woven into the fabric of globalization, damaging and distorting societies around the world. In conversation with Laurie Pearcey, Associate Vice-President (External Engagement & Outreach) at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Mr. Nair will discuss the key messages of his book and offer his vision for how individuals, organisations, and states can identify the power of White privilege and move beyond it, in order to build a more equitable world.

Author 

Chandran Nair is the founder and CEO of the Global Institute for Tomorrow, an independent pan-Asian think tank committed to understanding the dynamic relationship between business, society, and the state and reshaping the rules of global capitalism. He is a member of the executive committee of the Club of Rome and was former chairman of Environmental Resources Management for Asia Pacific. Nair is a regular speaker at global forums including the World Economic Forum, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summits, and Organization for Economic Co-operation Development events. 
 

Moderator

Laurie Pearcey is the Associate Vice-President (External Engagement & Outreach) at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK). Laurie is responsible for expanding CUHK’s external reputation and profile with media, public policy makers, industry partners, future students and alumni locally, nationally and overseas. Prior to his appointment at CUHK, Laurie was Pro Vice-Chancellor (International) at the University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney) and served as Chief Executive Officer of Australia’s oldest pathways education provider, UNSW Global Pty Ltd. Before joining higher education, he was Chief Executive Officer of the Australia China Business Council.

About Dismantling Global White Privilege: Equity for a Post-Western World

White privilege damages and distorts societies around the world, not just in the United States. This book exposes its pervasive global reach and creates a new space for discourse on worldwide racial equality.

As Chandran Nair shows in this uncompromising new book, a belief in the innate superiority of White people and Western culture, once the driving force behind imperialism, is now woven into the very fabric of globalization. As Nair points out, many non-White people have internalized it, judging themselves by an alien standard.

Nair takes a comprehensive look at the destructive influence of global White privilege. He examines its impact on geopolitics, the reframing of world history, and international business practices. In the soft-power spheres of White privilege—entertainment, the news media, sports, and fashion—he offers example after example of how White cultural products remain the aspirational standard. Even environmentalism has been corrupted, dominated by a White savior mentality whereby technologies and practices built in the West will save the supposedly underdeveloped, poorly governed, and polluted non-Western world.

For all these areas, Nair gives specific suggestions for breaking the power of White privilege. It must be dismantled—not just because it is an injustice but also because we will be creating a post-Western world that has less conflict, is more united, and is better able to respond to the existential challenges facing all of us.

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The views and opinions expressed are those of the speakers and participants and, unless expressly stated to the contrary, do not reflect the opinion, position, or official policy of Asia Society Hong Kong, its members, or its committees. Asia Society Hong Kong does not endorse or approve, and assumes no responsibility for the content of the information presented.