The White
Privileges
In reading, "A People's History of the
United States" by Howard Zinn and "The Case for Reparations" by
Ta-Nehisi Coates, I find myself surprised
to see how much this privilege had
shaped our lives and history. Actually,
I despise the term "white privilege," because I see it as a way for
white liberals to impose the psychological hegemony of white supremacy upon
African-American people, under the guise of the former pretending to demean
themselves. “White Privilege is the other side of racism. Unless we
name it, we are in danger of wallowing in guilt or moral outrage with no idea
of how to move beyond them. It is often easier to deplore racism and its
effects than to take responsibility for the privileges some of us receive as a
result of it… once we understand how white privilege operates, we can begin
addressing it on an individual and institutional basis.” ~Paula Rothenberg
Privilege exists when one group has something of value that is denied to others simply because of the groups they belong to, rather than because of anything they’ve done or failed to do. Access to privilege doesn’t determine one’s outcomes.
Privilege exists when one group has something of value that is denied to others simply because of the groups they belong to, rather than because of anything they’ve done or failed to do. Access to privilege doesn’t determine one’s outcomes.
White Privilege refers to the unearned benefits that someone
enjoys simply by having “white” skin.
This is not about being guilty, but rather, being responsible. The privilege is the expense of people of color
but white people cannot maintain this system of privilege without losing a part
of their own humanity. “White people are smarter
than people of color,” or “White people make better teachers.” White Privilege
and Racism can manifest in terms of individual behavior through hate crimes, or
in institutional behavior through employment discrimination. Racism might
manifest in individual language through the use of slurs, or in institutional
policy through a school’s selection of Eurocentric textbooks.
White skin privilege is
not something that white people necessarily do, create or enjoy on purpose.
Unlike the more overt individual and institutional manifestations of racism
described above, white skin privilege is a transparent preference for whiteness
that saturates our society. White skin privilege serves several functions.
First, it provides white people with “perks” that we do not earn and that
people of color do not enjoy. Second, it creates real advantages for us. White
people are immune to a lot of challenges. Finally, white privilege shapes the
world in which we live — the way that we navigate and interact with one another
and with the world.
Below is 17
Deplorable examples of the impact of the “White Privilege” on society even
today. The results are chilling.
Think about Jonathan
Ferrell, Amadou Diallo,
even Oscar
Grant. It isn’t a
coincidence that hundreds of incidents like these have been happening for
years.
2. Thankfully, you’ll
never have to know what it feels like to see your teenage son’s death being
mocked.
Yes, that is someone
dressed as Trayvon Martin. Yes, you’re looking at someone in blackface. In 2014.
3. Because of white privilege, you’ll never
have to inform your children of the harsh realities of systemic racism.
Via quickmeme.com
4. White privilege means you can be articulate and well-spoken without people being “surprised.”
5. Because of white privilege, you’ll never know what it’s like to have the following statistic looming over your head.
According to
this report
, one-third of
black men will go to prison at least once in their lifetime.
6. You can wear and act
however you’d like without being labeled a thug, low life, gangster, etc.
Everyone wants to “act
black,” but no one truly wants to be black.
7. White privilege allows you to speak on
any particular subject without being the sole representative for your entire
race.
White privilege allows
you to believe that all people of color think alike and share similar views.
8. White privilege means no one questions
why you got that really great job; it’s assumed you were just highly qualified.
Also, it means that
you got into that prestigious university based on merit, not because a certain
quota had to be filled.
9. White privilege means
not having to worry about your hair, skin color, or cultural accessories as the
reason you didn’t get a job.
People of color must
assimilate every.single.day. It’s hard to break free of the ways of the
dominant hegemony and forge your own path.
10. White privilege means
you don’t have to worry about being monitored in a store just because the hue
of your skin is a bit darker than most.
People of color are
seen as leery and untrustworthy.
11. Having white
privilege means people will never label you a terrorist.
12. White privilege means not being affected
by negative stereotypes that have been perpetuated and ingrained so much into
American society that people believe them to be fact.
Black men are angry,
primitive beasts with insatiable sexual appetites.
13. White privilege means
you never have to explain why cultural appropriation is a bad thing.
14. White privilege means not having to
worry about being stopped and frisked.
15. If you benefit from
white privilege, you’ll never be told to “get over slavery.”
Ironic, isn’t it?
16. White privilege means
that you’re never just your own person.
Via bet.com
For example, Nicki
Minaj is often referred to as the “black Lady Gaga.” I guess black people can’t
be quirky or eccentric.
17. Benefitting from white privilege means
you can walk the Earth unaware of your color.
Via blogger.com
People of color don’t
have such a luxury.
References:
Zoe, in my opinion, the images you used to illustrate McIntosh's list were brilliant. Your post made the article and argument about "white privilege" a lot more relevant and in your face. Thank you.
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