The Rise of "White Toxicity" at UVA

Deep Dive into Rachel Spraker's Work

Rachel Spraker, UVA's Assistant Vice President of Equity and Inclusive Excellence, has become a key figure in promoting intersectional and "woke" ideologies at the university. One of her central concepts is "white toxicity," a term she uses to describe the harmful impact of whiteness in society. In this post, we explore Spraker's unique take on race and systemic inequality, as well as the ways her work shapes UVA's diversity and inclusion efforts.

Spraker's background includes a master’s degree in Sociology, with a thesis focused on “racialized environmental violence” in Richmond’s Jackson Ward neighborhood. Her thesis links environmental and social violence, arguing that the two are intricately connected through “attritional lethality” that contributes to premature deaths, particularly among marginalized communities. In her view, environmental and social violence aren’t isolated issues, but part of a broader ideological framework designed to mask racial inequities.

A key element of Spraker’s philosophy is her interpretation of "white toxicity," a term she adopted from Dying of Whiteness by Jonathan M. Metzl. She argues that many white people, especially in her rural hometown, suffer from the "toxicity" of whiteness, which leads to health crises and premature deaths. She believes that this "toxicity" is a consequence of the oppressive structures tied to white identity, which creates harm not only for people of color but also for white individuals themselves.

Another recurring theme in Spraker's work is the “emotionality of whiteness,” a concept tied to the emotional responses (like guilt or defensiveness) that white people often exhibit in conversations about race. Spraker explains that part of her role at UVA is to help individuals understand the distinction between "whiteness as an identity" and "whiteness as an ideology," encouraging reflection on how these concepts shape societal structures.

Her beliefs extend to the justification of racial preferences in higher education, which she argues are necessary to address historical wrongs. In one 2022 presentation, Spraker defended the idea of racial preferences, responding to concerns about fairness with the argument that systemic inequalities have persisted for centuries, making a level playing field an ongoing struggle.

In conclusion, Rachel Spraker’s work at UVA embodies a broader shift toward implementing race-based ideologies in institutional settings. Her focus on "white toxicity" and the emotional burden of whiteness continues to influence the way UVA approaches diversity, equity, and inclusion, raising questions about the long-term impact of such frameworks on higher education and beyond.