Issue Of The Week VIII Fall 2011-2012: Privilege And Resistance

This is a great blog! It is very interesting because everything that is stated as myths, I too was taught to believe. It is not necessarily our fault for thinking this way because it is the way that we were brought up. Privilege is invisible to those who have it. We choose not to see it because it is easier to overlook issues that we think do not pertain to us instead of taking the time to realize that the issues do indeed pertain to us. Being aware of the common myths about privilege is the first step in understanding others and implementing change. Obviously nobody is going to sit there and complain if they are in the privileged spectrum of the world so it's easier to overlook it.

I love being reminded of the ways in which I can back up my argument when it comes to talking about racism. Often times when I start conversations about race and inequality I feel like I am the weird or ridiculous one for bringing it up. This ends up with me feeling very self conscious about what I have to say and I am not strong with my opinions. When simple phrases like this can be used, though, a lot of these guilty feelings can be avoided and my points can be made.

I think the idea of white privilege is so complex because it has been engrained in our society for so long that it has become normalized. As a member of a minority group, I have known about this idea almost my whole life, but I can understand why my White friends would not. One of the most common responses I have heard from a White friend has been, "I do not see color." This is actually one of the main problems. Acting as if everyone is equal or that everything in today's society is fair are the issues that keep white privilege going. It is very clear how unfair our society is. As someone in this thread mentioned before, even the beauty aisles of stores like CVS are glaring examples of white privilege. Why is the section with Black hair products deemed "ethnic?" Even when those aisles exist (which is not in every store), there is an extremely limited selection. The same applies to the "Asian" section of supermarkets. There are more Chinese products than anything else, even though so many variations exist between East Asian or South Asian or even Southeast Asian foods.

When I hear responses such as some of the ones mentioned in the prompt, I really am not sure the correct way to respond. I end up walking away for fear that I might offend someone since it is clear they are uneducated and, to be quite frank, ignorant. It is the society we live in. People are MADE to be ignorant about the differences and inequalities and I know that there are things that we can do to change it, but I wonder if we are actually ready to. It is much easier to keep our places in our society and be comfortable than to shake things up. I do think that if we can even start educating people starting with our immediate group of friends there can be some change, but I am not sure if our nation is ready to address these issues as a whole.

It makes sense that what we usually think of as racism is what has happened years in past but I think that is because that's what people talk about the most. At least in my experience, I hear more about the civil rights movement than I do current systematic and institutionalized racism today. Ever since Adam and Eve ate the fruit, humans differences have played a part in how we treat and view one another. It started man and woman, then on to things like different jobs, or tribes, or geographic locations. I don't believe there are a lot of people who think life has gone exactly right for them and despite their privilege, but those of us who are privileged should spend our time helping and loving people who aren't. That is what will change peoples outlooks or views of other people. I read a quote by an author I cannot remember, that said, "God wanted to reveal the Gospel to me, so he sent me to the poor." This is true of my life. The time in it when I started noticing the beauty in difference, and the beauty that only One similarity matters, that we're all children of God. I don't know what the exact answer is besides personally taking part in diverse community involvement and loving people who don't have as much as you all the while being grateful for what you have been blessed with.

All of the excuses posted are one's that I have heard and used. A couple I still will use because I do believe that people recieve what they work for and we do just need to move on. I have never seen anybody that worked hard for what they want not have success. No matter the inequality you face you have to be determined to not be denied. On the other hand I feel as if I've moved on and forgoten about inequality and it doesn't have any physical effect on me. I'm angered again when people bring up such inequality and blame someone who worked for where there at. I could be wrong but if you want something go get it.

It seems to me that the problem with our culture is we still divide people through race (think scholarships going to certain groups over others) and gender when the only real way to fix racism is to end division.
If a white male and a Hispanic female come from the same socioeconomic status then why do we need to give separate opportunities to them? Why we do focus on gender when the only way to end racism is end the difference in race, gender, and background? Don't look at a white woman and think she's a white woman, look at her as a person, because that's what she is.

I think that it is crazy how many more privileges white people have than other races. In the article she talks about how we have bandages that match our skin color. I never though of that. Little things in our everyday life are made for us. Its not as obvious to white people as it is to minorities that white people have privileges. I think that everyone can make a difference. We should all do our part to prevent these things from happening. We should promote equality and we should each do our part to make sure that white people aren't getting privileges.

Okay, so I can't completely agree with this article to be quite honest. Yes, I do believe white people are still unfairly privileged, and yes, that's sad. But I also believe we have all come a long way away from racism. We can't keep using race and prejudice as an excuse for everything. Take race questions out of the picture. Take race off of job applications, scholarship applications, college applications, everything like this. These decisions should have NOTHING to do with race, it should all be based on skill and achievement. So, if we don't know what race people are we don't have to even worry about being prejudice in this way. And yes, white people really are discriminated against too. Not all white people are racist, so stop blaming them as a whole. Also, they don't have a white only scholarship, but we can have an African American one? Please stop blaming white people for every problem. Yeah, there's still discrimination but sometimes you have to rise above it, just like the very name of this website. You get what you work for. If it's worth it, any race will work hard enough to get what they need or work for. Discrimination is still around, but it's on its way out. We all just need to cool it and take race out of the picture. Then we can all work together and be God's children all together, just as He intended.

This article reminds me that while we as a society have come a far way from the racism of the past, we still have a way to go. I am especially aware of the systematic structures in society that promote inequality. Many times it is not based solely on race or gender, however, those factors do play a major role. For example, in low income areas, minorities are much more concentrated than whites. Why is this? It could be because there are structures in society that make it more difficult for a person of color to advance. It could be because of culture differences in values. It could also be linked to the racism of the past, initially placing these people in poverty. I don't think just one of these is correct, but I think there is truth in all of them. What we, as white Americans, need to realize is that because of our skin color, which we also did not choose, we are inherently placed towards the top of the social ladder. As an individual I may not be ON TOP, there may be some blurred lines, however, because of my majority status, I am indeed privileged. What is more important is not to deny this fact, but to acknowledge it and work towards a better future. I can choose to follow instead of lead. I can choose to befriend people of different races and see the value in each person. I can shrug off the the feelings of entitlement. I can agree that I am blessed and fortunate, but that does not make me better. I have been given many things that others have had to fight tooth and nail for. Our ancestors have fought long battles for us to be where we are today. From women's rights, to civil rights, to gay rights, and everything in between, let our forefathers and mothers ceilings become our floors, and let us not repeat past injustices, but continue to strive for an equal and just future.

As a white male, I find that my educational upbringing has systematically taught me the opposite of this article. Many of my teachers in a small private school espoused ideas that the privilege belonged to the poor who were reaping the benefits of others hard work. (And by others, they almost always meant affluent white folks.)

Yet after many years of being taught to see myself as the victim of reverse discrimination, affirmative action, and economic redistribution, I was taught a different way. Loving and patient mentors took the time to open my eyes to the privileges of being a male and having light skin. I can better recognize how I am taken much more seriously a a minister because I am a white male. Even though I have been in college for 8 years trying to get a 4 year degree, this never reflects poorly on my race as a whole. Even in this economic climate, I am confident that I will be able to find a job after graduation relatively easily.

My status as a white male affects many areas of my life. The privileges people inherently grant to me are important to recognize, so that I can effectively work for better equity.

The reality of white privilege is quite evident today. It is not as overt (as the article mentioned) as the privilege that existed before the Civil Rights movement or even before slavery was outlawed, but it does still exist. There are many who do not accept this reality and many that do not accept that people do not accept it. In other words, there are people who don't believe there is still any semblance of racism or privilege in our country. At the same time, there are people who don't believe the previous statement is true. Both of these people would be incorrect. Racism does still exist and there are people who are unaware of it. However, it is important for these people to note, in my opinion, that the overtness of an injustice does not directly correlate to the level of injustice. For one, the fact that racism is not supposed to be in existence anymore makes it all the worse that it still is.
The final sample response in the article of "I'm just one person...." does resonate with me. It is very difficult to accept responsibility for changing attitudes, especially on such a large scale. It may even seem futile, which gives us the justification we think we need to not act. However, futility does not excuse the pursuit of justice. This is important for us all to remember, including especially myself.

It is true that racism today is quite different than it was years ago. I like how they have separated racism today (The new racism) with that we tend to picture racism as (The way it was years ago) Just because white families don’t own slaves and there are no longer segregation rules or laws limiting the legal rights of a certain race doesn’t mean that racism is no longer existent. I am only half white but I look white so I too get the white privilege that people seem to think doesn’t really exist. When I first read or heard about this privilege my immediate response was oh well I’m only half white so surely this doesn’t apply to me. However, for the most part, I look white and therefore receive the same privileges. Police don’t look at me suspiciously when I walk into a store or drive by in a nice car. It saddens me to think that racism is still strong today, but I know it is. As for my “white privilege” I don’t want it, but I know it exists, and that I don’t know what it is like to be a minority in this country.

I agree with the comment that to be colorblind is actually a form of racism. When you act blind and make yourself distant, you are actually bringing issues to the forefront. What we need to do instead, is to not ignore the fact that people are different from us, but to rather embrace them for their differences and get to know their cultures. I take pride in having a diverse group of friends. If I hung out and spent the majority of my time with people that were exactly like me, I would be very ignorant, bored, and above all- empty.

While recognizing and owning up to white privilege is not difficult for me, I really struggle with confronting others about white privilege. I’ve always been shy and subsequently avoided making my feelings known, especially if they differed from the general consensus of the group. I feel like much of white privilege is obvious and undeniable once it is pointed out and I’m sure I could convince others of its existence if I could just get the words to come out. Like many other white men I assume, I fear being alienated from or ridiculed by my peers.

Not only has this article help me understand and realize that white privilege is still around but one of my classes as well. I would have never realized things that I do now if it wasn't for these two things. I have totally opened my eyes to anything and everything that has to do with race and white privilege. I have come to realize that I am the privilege and need to open my mind up to others of different race/color. I take too many things for granted that many others have to deal with everyday.

Being raised the way I was, I do not fell as though I recognize comments or even realize when they are being said. When I was growing up my older brothers and parents had a very diverse friend group and we were taught as children not to say unkind things about anyone at all and when it did happen we got in pretty big trouble. My parents taught us how to love like Jesus loves and even though it is hard at times we suck it up and do it. Sadly I do think I tune a lot of the common responses out because we should look for the good in what people are trying to say and trust in the fact that God will teach them what they need to learn and show them correction where correction is needed. I dont like reading too much into the things people say, i would like to believe that they say what they mean and that they mean what they say. So why spend our time disecting remarks and instead show better examples and when we proclaim something let it be true.

The response I immediately thought of after reading the article is, "Oh, I don't see color." I completely understand this statement because I spent much of my life feeling this way. I laugh at myself when I look back on myself when I felt this way because it was really easy for me not to see color, and I am assuming that is how many of the people who say this still feel. It took exposure to new thoughts and ideas about power and privilege before I understood why 'not seeing color' doesn't work. Color is everywhere and it determines many things each day. Regardless of whether a person, regardless of color, is aware of the color-based decisions they are a factor in occur each and every day. Some of us see positive results from our skin color, some of us meet negative results. This is how our society functions in the modern world, and we must all accept responsibility for the roles we are born into.

Being born into a the millenium that we have born into i do not see this as equivalent as it might have been in the 60's, 70's, and maybe even the early 80's. I feel like in this day and age that more often than not everyone has equal oppurtunity in everything and that it is more of a choice to do what you want to do with your life than it is having a certain priveledge. Yes, i believe in some instances their is still a so called supremacy, but it so far and wide in between. Being brought up the way i was, i feel like no matter what i am doing, i have to work hard for what i want and not expect that things are going to be given to me. I also feel like most minorites feel this way too just for the fact that a lot still think there is a big case of the white supremacy. I don't believe anyone, no matter what the color or race is should strive and work hard for what they want in life, and no one should ever expect for things to be handed over to them on a silver platter.

I don't like the word "just". It takes away truth behind a statement. When the statement was made that if people would "just" try harder they could succeed. But that statement does not take into account the years and years of oppression that minorities have experiences. White people are privileged, and it is arrogant and insensitive to not acknowledge this truth. Though the world has made headway, there is still so much room for improvement and growth. We each have to take personal responsibility for how we treat people, all people.

Many people believe that our world is equal, that everyone is treated fairly and there is no discrimination. In the year 2011 were not even close to being free of racism. I believe that every race goes through its own idea of being privilege or lacking of it. Although the truth is no one is completely correct. For instance, I'm hispanic and I know some of my friends joke around stating that I'm lucky that I'm hispanic because I can get scholarships and grants easier then they can because they are caucasian. In my opinion each race doesn't understand all the change that is happening in their individual culture. We don't see the full effect of how some things we say are putting others down and bringing ourself up. We maybe privileged at a certain time in our lives but we should also remember to help bring others up with us to build a strong bond as a community.

I highly agree with the various of points the article is making. I believe that there many individuals who don't realized white privilege. But if you take a closer insight on who gets the positive attention in the mall, they are always the white people. People from other races seemed to get follow around the store. White privilege doe exist in our nation and we can no longer denial it.

I’m torn about the issue of being colorblind—not because I disagree that it avoids actually solving the issue of racism, but because I’ve gone most of my life being colorblind. I don’t really pay attention to people’s ethnicities or races in the sense that I don’t let it consciously affect my perception of them. Of course I notice the race/ethnicity, and I can’t deny that I must have some subconscious stereotypical and prejudicial thoughts towards them, but I would never actually act towards a person differently based on their ethnicity, in the sense that I wouldn’t treat them as anything less than a human being that deserves full respect and dignity and compassion. But me living that way isn’t enough: if I want the whole country and world to run on such principles of equal treatment (which I do), then I need to be an advocate, to actively encourage community leaders to set policies that forbid discrimination and implement equality. It’s nice to see people living out equality in their daily interactions, but as the article says, our interactions alone are not enough to combat institutional discrimination. As whites we have the privilege of treating others with equality and knowing we won’t be discriminated against in return, whereas minorities may live out equality towards others yet still experience discrimination, either by individuals or institutions. Because we are privileged, it is our responsibility to use that privilege to help those in need. If we don’t, we are taking the potential power of that privilege for granted, or worse, misusing it. Ignoring privilege doesn’t make it disappear: it just goes unnoticed, its potential for good unfulfilled. It’s time to put our colored lenses back on so we can see where discrimination is taking place (because we know it is) and speak out against it.

A few years ago I was introduced to the term of one being racially 'color-blind' in a Sociology class. The professor first asked the simple question, "What do you think about racism in the United States? Has racial and ethnic equality been achieved?" Most students excused their belief as racism no long existing by the fact that they feel that society has ability to see someone as a human being, and that they feel racism has ceased because most people 'look past ones skin color and treat others all equally.' One problem with this concept, however, is that by 'looking past one's skin color' is denying them the acknowledgement of their culture. The ability to 'see one as a human being' seems to me as an animalistic way of thinking. Americans were thought to be over that hump after the 1960's Civil Rights Movement. It was then when we were maneuvering past a concept as simple as allowing our children drink from the same fountain with an African American child. It was then that seeing someone as a mere human being would have been more credible to deem as an accomplishment. Considering the achievements so many minorities have fought for through serious efforts, the modernity of the study of humanity and science as a whole, and the mutual and basic understanding of our core makeup in our existence on this planet, the ability to label one as a person just because they can walk and talk is nothing less than barbaric on an intellectual scale. Lastly and mostly, what is even more disconcerting is that most of white privilege Americans think that color-blindness proves acceptable against the issue of modern prejudice.

These responses are very similar to the ones that I have hear as well. The most important is this idea of being separate of history. It has felt as though when discussing the issue of privilege we tend to get lost in the idea that it remains along the same lines as racism. This is far from true. People have assumed that since they have not been involved, historically in their lives as well as a society, that they have no privilege. This goes along with colorblindness. Because we pretend or assume that race has nothing to do with privilege it does not mean that we are now in an age without racism, bigotry, and discrimination. I agree with the author of the article. It is very interesting seeing privilege alive aside from the blatant racism of the past (compared to the current racism we are facing today, covert). Privilege has to continue being critically analyzed in order to bring attention to covert discrimination. We must be ready to confront the resistance of those who deny that they have privilege.

There are definitely times when I have used or heard some of the excuses that Ferber and Samuels mention. Often we choose not to see the prejudice in front of us because that would mean admitting that parts of our "perfect" society would need to change. As a white female, it is easy to ignore the blessing that have been given to me. Because I have not personally faced discrimination, I tend to not notice it. I think one great way that everyone can start to recognize that discrimination still exists is by taking about it. I for one know that it is really hard for me to see what others are facing. However, if we talked more about how people were effected by their race or ethnicity, I think many people would be able to see the prejudice that still exists in the world today.

What struck me most in this discussion was the idea of “color-blindness,” or treating people has humans without regard for race. This is an issue that I myself have considered before, and this discussion gave a name to it. I agree that it is a myth that discrimination no longer exists, just as I believe that race still exists and matters. Race is identity, and ignorance of it would be denying people of part of their own identity. And the problem with wanting to ignore race in favor of “the human race” is that biases always exist, whether intentional or not. The white experience isn’t necessarily the same as the black experience or the Hispanic experience. As stated in the discussion, “ people of privilege often do not realize the extent to which inequality is still pervasive. Looking at life from their own narrow experience, they fail to recognize that their own experience is not universal.” So when people talk about race no longer being significant and wishing to focus on a the human race as a whole, perception and bias of the individual will still affect their thinking. The expectation of the human race from the white perspective could then be affected by the bias of having lived a white experience. The human experience then becomes the human experience from the white perspective. So the question I ask is, how can we preserve and embrace race, culture, and identity while at the same time diminishing stereotypes, discrimination, and inequality?

Today racism is manifesting itself in a different form: color blindness as mentioned here, where the ‘privileged’ population is trying to ignore the inequalities faced by minorities, just by pretending they are not there. One of the theories of racial attitudes that explain this attitude is: Social Dominance Theory. The people that are on top of the scale keep benefiting and therefore assume that the rest of society is having the same privileges. The reality is that someone who has been in the ‘privilege’ side of society would hardly be able to understand the inequalities that still exist in this country, for example not feeling related to your classmates since your color skin and culture is completely different, or as it was mentioned in the article not having to worry about going shopping without the concern of been stopped. The reality is that racism exist, it may be in a different form than years before but is still there. Our society needs to stop pretending that things have changed, because it has just transfer to a different form of racism, when society acknowledges this then, and only then is when change can start to happen.

I totally agree with her statements about how color blindness is affecting our society because many white people just think color people must have done something to cause discrimination towards them but that its wrong. I think people have to brake the silence and collaborate with others to solve this issue.