Dead white men

DWEM is an acronym for dead white European male ( German "dead white European man " ) and especially in the U.S., a buzzword in cultural and literary studies. It is closely related to the discourse of political correctness.

Term

As dwems are referred to by the opponents of traditional educational canon philosophers, writers and other historical variables, which are constitutively considered important and for Western culture in schools and universities, or about Aristotle or Shakespeare. In contrast, reformers often demand since the 1970s, some of which are inspired by feminist or Marxist theories, including and especially the achievements of women, blacks, ethnic minorities, immigrants or authors of the "Third World" to put on the curriculum. These reformers are about the philosopher Charles Taylor and Jürgen Habermas.

Critics of these reforms, such as the political scientist Charles Murray, however, point out that modern humanity owe almost all their achievements in science and technology, art and philosophy of the old Europe. Even science and technology historian outside Europe would always be the result.