Confronting Whiteness in Public Relations Campaigns and Research with Women

Abstract

This article addresses the need for more critical work in identifying the relationship between public relations and race. I used the concept of Whiteness to question how women publics have perceived race portrayals in public health messages. Women reported that campaigns have disembodied race, perpetuated reductionist assumptions, and fetishized racial diversity. I interrogated my assumptions and methods as a White researcher to elucidate agency, vulnerability, and performance issues specific to public relations researchers and communicators. I suggest strategies for reflecting upon and situating racial discussions with research participants.