How well-intentioned white male physicists maintain ignorance of inequity and justify inaction.

While the majority of physicists support equity efforts, those who hold identities which have historically been overrepresented in physics frequently unintentionally, and unknowingly, undermine these efforts. We report on an analysis of interviews with 27 self-identified progressive white-male physics faculty and graduate students discussing race and gender in physics. Using a critical discourse analysis we identify mechanisms by which these men uphold rather than dismantle inequity in physics by pervasively locating both the causes and solutions of inequity outside their sphere of influence, positioning themselves as powerless to act. We present and discuss three overarching themes, seen in our data, demonstrating how well educated, well-intentioned people of privilege maintain their power and privilege despite their own intentions: 1) Denying inequity is physically near them, 2) Locating causes of inequity in large societal systems over which they have little influence and 3) Justifying inaction. As the majority population, and a population that holds tremendous power to shape culture and structure, white men are essential for reform. Little attention has been given to understanding the knowledge, beliefs, and actions of this group and yet such understanding is vital if progress is to be made.