IS WHITE PRIVILIGE BS? Is it a lie of the LEFT?

Question

I think so. I never had any priviliges being "white". These stupid moolies fail to realize tv and the government bows down backwards for them and they still complain that white people will not bow to them. They want to attack whites that come to their neighborhoods and have their own networks but assume whites are priviliged. lmao! That is the stupidest thing I ever heard.
I am not priviliged for being white when minorities can be racist but not me.

Answer 1

In an attempt to answer your question without stooping to hurling insults (which you obviously couldn't restrain yourself from)...

No, White privilege is not "bs;" it's quite real. No one in their right mind is going to openly declare "I'm giving you this because you're White!"; it's subtle and is sometimes done unconsciously. The fact that you didn't ask for these advantages or that you didn't realize you were receiving them doesn't make the concept untrue. This is not to say that you're to blame for the discrimination, but you benefit from it nonetheless. Just because you haven't personally taken the time to examine the idea in connection with your own life doesn't mean that White privilege doesn't exist. It only means that either A) you're ignorant of the facts (and you obviously want to stay that way), or B) you're in complete denial about this concept. From what you posted, it seems that you (as well as a few others here) refute the concept of White privilege because you don't want to be wrong. In this case, being wrong (in other words, acknowledging that White privilege is active in our country) forces you to admit that discrimination still exists. And in turn, if discrimination still exists, it blows the whole idea of what social psychologists call "belief in a just world" to pieces, since discrimination and racism directly contradict notions of justice. We all would like to believe that we deserve the good things we receive, but if I were a White person (more specifically, a White person who actually took the time and effort to honestly examine the benefits of being White in America), a lot of things I assumed I'd earned on my own merit alone would be called into question.

So while I agree that some people of color do "attack Whites", wrongly take advantage of government policies or feel a sense of entitlement when it comes to certain things, you should be clear on one thing: not all of us feel or act this way. We don't want White people to "bow to us." For the most part, the only things people of color want and need are respect and equal treatment. Is that too much to ask? If people of color truly had either of those things, this topic wouldn't even be up for discussion.

p.s. - In response to "Q~T"'s comment that Black Americans should "get over" slavery because it was a "long damn time ago" and "it does not effect them today in any way" (since the site won't let us post twice on the same question):

Even though I know you said "many" and not "all," I want to clarify that not all Black Americans, including myself, feel the way you described (that somehow White people owe us something). Just so that's clear. Now, with that said...

So what you're saying is because slavery occurred so long ago, that today's Americans are somehow totally free of the consequences and repercussions of it? That is one of the most ridiculous statements I've ever read. In essence, what you're saying is that the past has no impact on the present or the future, even though there are mounds of evidence to the contrary (especially concerning the state of Black Americans as well as the state of American society). Tell that to all the people of Middle-Eastern descent that are looked at as potential terrorists because of what happened five years ago. Tell that to the Japanese or Japanese-American people who are still looked down upon by some WWII veterans because of what happened 65 years ago. Tell that to the Jews who are still being discriminated against to this day because of what happened over 2000 years ago and then tell me if the past doesn't affect the present or the future.

*EDIT* - And in response to "ME"'s comment below:

So, what - you're assuming that affirmative action was created only for Black people? Oh, well, just forget about all the other people of color (Latinos, Asians, etc.). Oh and while you're at it, don't forget to push all the women out of the picture too. Apparently it's all about Black people exploiting "The Man." [/sarcasm]

If that's the case, then why is it that White men still hold about 95% to 97% percent of high-level corporate jobs (and that's with affirmative action programs in place)? Doesn't look like Black people (or women, or any other people of color for that matter) are very "privileged" to me.

http://www.now.org/issues/affirm/talking.html

Answer 2

That's the problem right there...people think they deserve something because their skin is light or dark...everyone should have been taught for fight for themself and be independent...but someone is always relying on someone else to make moves and for things to happen...that's stupid. That word you use moolie...I heard it in a movie is that derogatory? Most white people who don't like black people either got their butt kicked by one when they were younger, were taught to be racist by their parents, or saw a black person get an advantage that they were never offered...you sound jealous to me. Just be happy you're alive...are you Italian? That's not really white...and most white people don't like Italians cause they're considered thugs like black people...welcome to the neighborhood homes... : )

Answer 3

The classes are economic now, I think. People with money have power. It is the rich that buy and sell the working man. I'ts not only caucasions that are rich and its not only minorities in the working classes. However there are plenty of urban areas where the white man is treated very poorly, verbally and physically.Between the police wanting to know what you are doing in your own neighborhood, to people peeing on your doorway and leaving garbage all over, there is plenty of racism against whites. (If you really want to feel hatred towards caucasions, spend some time in a jail...!!) It seems like the some of the minorities are much more racist than most caucasions.

Answer 4

Although I would like everyone to be equal, I believe there is something to white privilege. I grew up in a poor white family, and I remember being so jealous of my friends who got cars, great jobs, and into good colleges. I walk around my city (Boston) and see so many different cultures and people, and then I walk through Harvard and I wonder where all the people went. The only other people who seem to reach for those privileges are Asians, because they work damn hard for it and are pushed by their parents. (not trying to stereotype, I just have a lot of friends who fall into this category) Reverse discrimination also happens I am afraid. I have been told by people of other races that I am oppressive because I am white...never mind I have never been oppressive nor have my ancestors for that matter. (remember, poor) and that I am more privileged. Never mind I fought really hard to get into college, and I am paying for all my student loans by myself, and I am lucky if I have money to buy groceries every week. There will always be poor and rich, hopefully one day, those lines will not be so defined by the color of our skin.

Answer 5

hmm, well let's see. have you ever heard of "driving while WHITE"? no, of course not.

here's a checklist of just a few examples, if you answer yes to any of these, you are experiencing white privilege:

___ I can go shopping alone most of the time, pretty well assured that I will not be followedor harassed.
___ I can turn on the television or open to the front page of the paper and see people of myrace widely represented.
___ When I am told about our national heritage or about 'civilization,' I am shown that peopleof my color made it what it is.
___Whether I use checks, credit cards, or cash, I can count on my skin color not to workagainst the appearance of financial responsibility.
___ I can worry about racism without being seen as self-interested or self-seeking.
___ I can take a job or enroll in a college with an affirmative action policy without having myco-workers or peers assume I got it because of my race.
___ I can be late to a meeting without having the lateness reflect on my race.
___ I can choose public accommodation with out fearing that people of my race cannot get in or will be mistreated.
___ I am never asked to speak for all of the people of my racial group.
___ I can be pretty sure that if I ask to talk with the 'person in charge' I will be facing aperson of my race.
___ If a traffic cop pulls me over or if the IRS audits my tax return, I can be sure I haven'tbeen singled out because of my race.
___ I can easily buy posters, postcards, picture books, greeting cards, dolls, toys, and children's magazines featuring people of my race.
___ I can choose blemish cover or bandages in 'flesh' color and have them more or less matchmy skin.
___ I can do well in a challenging situation without being called a credit to my race.
___I can walk into a classroom and know I will not be the only member of my race.
___ I can enroll in a class at college and be sure that the majority of my professors will be of my race.
___ I can take out a loan without worrying that my race may play a part in my approval.
___ I can move into a wealthy suburban neighborhood and not get looks because of my race every time I leave my home.


you really are the perfect example of someone who has the rights to an unearned privilege and is completely ignorant of what it means.

do us all a favor and 1) learn how to spell 2) read a book or or 10 (you can start with 'black like me')

Answer 6

I've always hated the "Reverse racism" arguement because there's no such thing: racism is racism.

There is a white priviledge, but not in the same way that people think. Whites have benefits in terms of being the cultural norm, and it's difficult to make fun of white culture because of that. But in terms of getting into schools and the like, it's a bit mixed. Certainly, there's still discrimination going on wherein blacks have a disadvantage (which we tend to associate with the other side having a priviledge), but I'm not convinced it's as extreme of a situation as those who bellyache about white priviledge say. Moreover, the arguement is immediately left defunct in that if there is a successful black family (excluding rappers and the like) they are no longer seen as part of "black culture" because generally the people with the big bucks (other than entertainment icons) are the ones in the "white collar" jobs, which is seen as part of white culture. So in short, blacks are upset that black culture is poor... it's part of the foundation of black culture, to rebel against the man/the machine/etc. So it's something of a self-fulfilling prophecy I guess.

I don't know about hispanics vs. whities though. Or asians.

Answer 7

I am white, and I can honestly say that being Black in USA for a decent person is very hard. If you want to be a thief, or live on welfare, or deal drugs, you are O.K. being black. If you wanna live a regular life, you really have to work much harder to achieve the same thing that white people get just by "showing up"

Answer 8

Just to start I'm not white or black. I totally understand what your saying. Many black Americans, notice I did not say African Americans because they were born here they did not immigrate form Africa, feel that white Americans owe them something. They feel they should get special treatment because way back in 1667 Africans were sold and trick into slavery here in America. That's a long damn time ago. When will they get over it. It does not effect them today in any way. Only in their paranoid illusions. If anything bad happens to them they automatically assume it's because they are black. What ever! Many white Americans feel they have to tip toe around these people because they don't want to offend them. Why can't we all just be Americans and leave it at that. We don't need segregation again. First it was the white Americans separating the blacks from them. Now it's the black wanting their own groups. Retarded if you ask me.

Answer 9

I'm white. I have no privileges I didn't earn. I have black friends. I have Asian friends. They all went to college for free. I don't care. Live and let live. I don't like the bell curve scoring in schools but I beat the system and still passed. And I understand that the only minority in this country is the white male. White men can't catch a break. So. You're supposed to be smart enough to not need any body's help.

Answer 10

I personally don't see much of a white privilege, but I've never been anything but white, so I don't know what it's like to be anything else.

I will tell you that I own a consulting firm. It's only me. I'm very good at what I do, however in order for me to get a contract with the government I have to work through a minority female owned business, who then adds her markup to my hourly rate and makes money off me just for being a minority. That sure doesn't feel like white privilege to me.