General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: I am Latina but pass as White [View all]YoungDemCA
(5,714 posts)...is that it is defined in the US by the absence of color - or more precisely, the lightness of one's skin.
It is also a social construct that has evolved over time. At one point in time, the Irish weren't considered white. Neither were the Italians, Poles, Hungarians, etc. Nowadays, all of those groups (and more) are considered white by just about everybody.
"White" is inclusive of "European descent", but it is not necessarily limited to that. Again, it is about skin color, and how easily and comfortably one fits into the dominant culture of the United States* In other words, how "assimilated" one is. In practice, the opposite of whiteness in the American context is marginalization.
*Because race, ethnicity, etc. is not defined the same everywhere - by any means.