White fear reflects moral anxiety about racial sins, not just perceived black danger.

Evidence

Americans believe in democracy, and we are committed to white supremacy. Obviously, it is wrong to hold both views. White fear can rear its ugly head as a kind of moral anxiety when we recognize just how wrong this is, and consistently do nothing about it. Looked at like this, white fear is the belief that black people are dangerous; the danger, though, stems from the fear of black revenge or of God’s punishment for our national sins around race. — Eddie S. Glaude Jr., Democracy in Black, 228

Categorization

• DEFINE: Distinguishes white fear from mere prejudice: it is moral anxiety, with danger projecting from guilt about entrenched racial sins.