Witnessed something that made me understand white privilege (racist, money, world)

[The Dark Enlightenment]

Kids are taught that being able to detect white priviledge is good/smart/cool, so the OP sees it and proudly reports his/her experience to we less enlightened folks.

[voiceofreazon]

Originally Posted by The Dark Enlightenment

Kids are taught that being able to detect white priviledge is good/smart/cool, so the OP sees it and proudly reports his/her experience to we less enlightened folks.

No. Actually I was and in many ways still am, someone who is very skeptical of white privilege and my posting history would certainly show that.

I had an experience that made me think of things in a new way. Doesn't mean I embrace the concept but I don't entirely dismiss it either. I also take heart to what people have said in response and realize that I could be wrong and jumping to conclusions about what happened. Just trying to keep an open mind.

[fitzy24]

Originally Posted by voiceofreazon

I was in the supermarket this afternoon and I overheard a conversation between a vendor who was stocking the shelves and a store employee. The vendor was black.

The store employee asked how the vendor's day was going and he said that he got accused of stealing by some elderly person who reported him to store security. I guess he saw a black man in a non-store uniform handling lots of merchandise (he was stocking shelves) and assumed he was stealing or something.

I can't explain the "logic" behind that one, it boggles the mind how someone is stocking shelves could look like they were stealing. So the store security brushed the guy off but I guess still told the vendor about it.

So, I was thinking.. I would never be in a situation like that. Where people assume the worst about me based on how I look and I thought of how many other times he likely witnessed casual racism like that in his life.

So, I can see the argument where I have a privilege or an advantage to move about in life without people assuming the worst about me based on how I look.

Although, I don't really see it so much as a privilege since I see privileges as something above and beyond what most people have or should have. I don't see how being treated with simple respect should be a privilege. It's more of a burden when you are not.

I also think many white liberals and black lives matter folks take this notion to some ridiculous extremes but I can see where the basic idea has merit.

Thank you for giving us your opinion of WP and attempting to understand it. I get it. It appears by most of the comments from the "there is no WP crowd", they don't get it.

[nexxus]

so do blacks have black privilege in black nations?

[jman07]

Originally Posted by The Dark Enlightenment

Kids are taught that being able to detect white priviledge is good/smart/cool, so the OP sees it and proudly reports his/her experience to we less enlightened folks.

This. If a liberal can detect "white privilege", it is like a badge of honor and a good job slap on the back to them. They become so proud of themselves. But of course no other races ever point out this so called white privelege.

[Tall Traveler]

There's no doubt the law abiding and hard working blacks suffer for the ghetto blacks violence and criminal behavior.

[joeymags]

If you want to define white privilege as being more likely to be born into a two parent family where parents emphasis discipline, education, and respect, I can buy into that. If you want to define it that I am afforded certain privileges due to the color of my skin? Ha! Good one!

[whogo]

I once had the cops called on me because I was robbing a bank and I am white.

[VLWH]

Originally Posted by voiceofreazon

I was in the supermarket this afternoon and I overheard a conversation between a vendor who was stocking the shelves and a store employee. The vendor was black.

The store employee asked how the vendor's day was going and he said that he got accused of stealing by some elderly person who reported him to store security. I guess he saw a black man in a non-store uniform handling lots of merchandise (he was stocking shelves) and assumed he was stealing or something.

I can't explain the "logic" behind that one, it boggles the mind how someone is stocking shelves could look like they were stealing. So the store security brushed the guy off but I guess still told the vendor about it.

So, I was thinking.. I would never be in a situation like that. Where people assume the worst about me based on how I look and I thought of how many other times he likely witnessed casual racism like that in his life.

So, I can see the argument where I have a privilege or an advantage to move about in life without people assuming the worst about me based on how I look.

Although, I don't really see it so much as a privilege since I see privileges as something above and beyond what most people have or should have. I don't see how being treated with simple respect should be a privilege. It's more of a burden when you are not.

I also think many white liberals and black lives matter folks take this notion to some ridiculous extremes but I can see where the basic idea has merit.

No you don't, move on....

[VLWH]

I now understand black and Hispanic ignorance...