White Privilege: Does it exist??? (interview, Mexican, racist, Hispanics)

[subsound]

You can use that checklist in any society where you have one race that consists of over 60% of the population, especially to have more then 2 from a majority "checked" since the list is so general. I just don't like it because it's nothing to do with how people behave or act, and entirely the demographics of a population. Using similar thought it would be easy to say no one who's race gathers less then X% of the population would automatically get less "Privilege" due to the fewer numbers of similar heritage seen. I'm not saying it doesn't happen...I bet it does...but it's not something I can say I'm happy about simply because one race is in superior numbers then another.

As much as anyone could use the same to argue that they are discriminated against because they are unfairly represented in any predominately white society, I could use the same checklist to argue it if I was in a society with any other majority color or creed then white.

This is a sort of thing that really can be taken to the extreme, even if it's not intended to. One could argue that a minority could not get a fair trial based on the inability to check a certain number of the boxes. Say it was things like (1,3,14,16) how much of a race constitutes seeing them? If whites are 90% or 70% (last 2 city demographics of whites I have lived in..Portland and Denver) of the population, how many times is seeing one of my race acceptable? If I see my race in the same percentages is it acceptable, or does it have to be in larger percentages and be unequal?

I don't want to seem weird, but I like to say "What is good for one is the same for all"...majority or minority.

[Jeff Jarrett]

If you are talking about America, you are very much wrong. Whites still have control and a higher degree of personal rights and security in areas that are predominantly black because the wealth, the wealth and means of societal control are still controlled by whites. Whites still enjoy privilege in these areas.

When was the last time the Black majority in cities like Atlanta, Washington DC, and Detroit elected a White mayor ?

[fnord]

Maybe it does. I, for one, don't perpetuate it.

There was an interesting essay put out last year around election time. I probably posted it elsewhere on the forum a couple of months ago. A lot of these points, unfortunately, ring quite true.

White privilege is being able to go to a prestigious prep school, then to Yale and Harvard Business School (George W. Bush), and still be seen as an "average guy," while being black, going to a prestigious prep school, then Occidental College, then Columbia, and then Harvard Law, makes you "uppity" and a snob who probably looks down on regular folks.

This is Your Nation on White Privilege (Updated) | Red Room

[Jeff Jarrett]

Does some poor family living in the country of Georgia for example have this so called White privilege ?

[backfist]

Originally Posted by Jeff Jarrett

When was the last time the Black majority in cities like Atlanta, Washington DC, and Detroit elected a White mayor ?

Memphis did even better. That (nearly all-Black district) elected a White man to Congress over a Black woman (who was a Democrat).

Oakland, CA elected a White man as mayor over other Black candidates.

During the 2004 Democratic primaries, Blacks in South Carolina voted more for John Edwards--who's white--than they did for Al Sharpton.

And these are just a few examples that disprove your stereotype.

[Rathagos]

Sadly, Ron, to answer your question, I would have to say "White Privilege" does exist. Not in all facets of life, but certainly in specific sectors, areas of habitation, etc. It's just a glorified term for racism, and I don't think anyone's naive enough to say that it doesn't exist (in all forms, not just white-to-black, but black-to-white, and white-to-hispanic, hispanic-to-black, etc). Some form of racism can be found in every demographic make-up, just as sexism does to some extent.

The question I would ask, is: is it getting better? Do we see progress across the board (from all ethnic demographic sides, not just one or the other)? 90 percent racism yesterday could be 50 percent today... and hopefully 20 percent tomorrow. Over time, that will hopefully continue to decrease. Do we ever think it will be 100 percent? I'm willing to say "no." Again, not just from one side or the other. I think there will be a percentage (however small) of blacks that will never fully trust whites, and the same is true for whites to blacks, or blacks to hispanics, or whatever. As long as we keep working towards the common goal, though, we'll see a continual shrinkage in both racism and sexism.

[jlhct]

Originally Posted by Jeff Jarrett

Does some poor family living in the country of Georgia for example have this so called White privilege ?

Yes, probably so...

It would be interesting to take someone from a family such as you described and a black or other minority person. Dress them both up iin business suits and send them on interviews. It would be interesting to see what some people's initial reaction would be.

Obviously, not all people would act the same, but for those who use stereotypes to make their judgement, i'm sure the person from the family you described would have an edge.

So, yes even a poor white family from the country can and probably does benefit from white privledge.

[Lucario]

Originally Posted by Jeff Jarrett

When was the last time the Black majority in cities like Atlanta, Washington DC, and Detroit elected a White mayor ?

That is irrelevant. When is the last time a white politician has run for office? Whites still have ultimate economic power there.

[Saintmarks]

Each individual in this country has obstacles to overcome. While I am a white male and supposedly on the preferred track, I have found that coming from a family that didn't enjoy wealth or "societal" privileges in my hometown, I got passed over for certain things.

My body type is not such that led me to excel in athletics (in fact I've always been pretty lousy at such endeavors). I found a good bit of discrimination in my hometown because of this.

My strong Christian, conservative beliefs have been a negative in the work place as I am not one that gets invited to certain parties with fellow workers. I have seen others advance that schmooze up to the management in these types of settings.

The point I am trying to get across is that it is a dead weight around one's neck to look at the unfair and unjust aspects of the system we live in. All of us can bend the scenario to make us a victim. This same unfair system does offer avenues where we can prosper if we will look for them. In reality, the more obstacles, the greater victories when one overcomes. This is truth for our physical bodies, muscle mass develops and fat burns off when we do physical exertion and face resistance. The same can be said for our place in society.

The general theme of this thread seems to be that one would be stronger and better off without any obstacles. While life might be easier without obstacles, I can't say that life would be better.

[fatchance2005]

Originally Posted by Ron.

White Privilege Checklist

Peggy McIntosh, Associate Director of the Wellesley College Center for Research on Women, describes white privilege as “an invisible package of unearned assets, which I can count on cashing in each day, but about which I was ‘meant’ to remain oblivious. White privilege is like an invisible
weightless knapsack of special provisions, maps, passports, code books, visas, clothes, tools, and
blank checks” (McIntosh, 1989).

The following are examples of ways white individuals have privilege because they are white. Please read the list and place a check next to the privileges that apply to you or that you have encountered. At the end, try to list at least two more ways you have privilege based on your race.


___ 1. I can arrange to be in the company of people of my race most of the time.

___ 2. I can go shopping alone most of the time, pretty well assured that I will not be followed or harassed.

___ 3. I can turn on the television or open to the front page of the paper and see people of my race widely represented.

___ 4. When I am told about our national heritage or about “civilization,” I am shown that people of my color made it what it is.

___ 5. I can be sure that my children will be given curricular materials that testify to the existence of their race.

___ 6. I can go into a music shop and count on finding the music of my race represented, into a supermarket and find the food I grew up with, into a hairdresser’s shop and find someone who can deal with my hair.

___ 7. Whether I use checks, credit cards, or cash, I can count on my skin color not to work against the appearance of financial responsibility.

___ 8. I am not made acutely aware that my shape, bearing, or body odor will be taken as a reflection on my race.

___ 9. I can worry about racism without being seen as self-interested or self-seeking.

___ 10. I can take a job or enroll in a college with an affirmative action policy without having my co-workers or peers assume I got it because of my race.

___ 11. I can be late to a meeting without having the lateness reflect on my race.

___ 12. I can choose public accommodation with out fearing that people of my race cannot get in or will be mistreated.

___ 13. I am never asked to speak for all of the people of my racial group.

___ 14. I can be pretty sure that if I ask to talk with the “person in charge” I will be facing a person of my race.

___ 15. If a traffic cop pulls me over or if the IRS audits my tax return, I can be sure I haven't been singled out because of my race.

___ 16. I can easily by posters, postcards, picture books, greeting cards, dolls, toys, and children’s magazines featuring people of my race.

___ 17. I can choose blemish cover or bandages in “flesh” color and have them more or less match my skin.

___ 18. I can do well in a challenging situation without being called a credit to my race.

___ 19. I can walk into a classroom and know I will not be the only member of my race.

___ 20. I can enroll in a class at college and be sure that the majority of my professors will be of my race.

Racial privilege is only one forms of privilege. What are other examples of privilege? (e.g., privilege based on gender, sexual orientation, class, and religion).

Can you think of ways one might have privilege based on these
factors? (e.g., that you do not have to worry about being verbally or physically harassed because of your sexual orientation; or you can be sure that your religious holiday will be acknowledged and represented in
store displays, classroom discussions, etc.).

Kind of a new phrasing for the old "Do you still beat your wife?" question...