White privilege doesn't exist? Are you sure about that? (illegal, drugs, accuse)

[+ or -]

In the March 2010 issue Vanity Fair, there is an extensive writeup on the gang of low-life rich kids who systematically robbed a number of A-list celebrities in one of the most brazen and over-the-top crime sprees in Hollywood history. The question on everyone's mind? Why would these rich, and otherwise privileged young people commit such crimes?

Referred to as the Bling Ring, the culprits are accused of stealing clothing, jewelry, artwork, and memorabilia valued in excess of $3 million and are now facing multiple counts of felony robbery charges.

In reading the article, I can't help notice the light, unserious, and largely sympathetic tone of the author. It's as if she's trying to in some way justify these kids' deplorable actions, or atleast downplay them. Even though there is evidence which clearly proves their guilt, they are still seen as incapable of such a feat; the last ones we'd ever expect to commit such a monstrosity.

You see, these were, these are, the "good kids". The kind everyone turns a blind eye to because they expect another kind to commit all the crimes. And it is because of this very reality, that these kids often get away with a lot more, because people are so unwilling to ever consider them as capable.

Did I mention these kids were white?

Somehow, I just can't imagine such an apologetic writeup from Vanity Fair had the suspects been black. Hell, I doubt there would have been a writeup at all -- after all, how would that have been newsworthy? Everyone expects black youth to commit a disproportionate number of crime.

You see, this is how white privilege, which assumes and adheres to notions of white supremacy, operates. Because of this, in criminal cases, whites are given a free pass, assumed innocent, and even in the face of insurmountable evidence against them, often viewed more sympathetically.

Even though it was whites, and not blacks, who commited these crimes in some of the most exclusive neighborhoods of LA, they could walk down the street (with their stolen loots to boot) and not attract the slightest bit of attention. Yet, if a group of black kids walked down those very same streets, the cops would be there faster than white on rice.

White privilege enables whites to not think about their whiteness -- it's this kind of invisible shield that protects them from harrassment, from suspicion, and from negative stereotypes. And because of this, whites are not collectively seen as adhering to a set of ideals -- instead, whites are judged as individuals, while minorities, and blacks in particular, are pegged with the most unflattering of stereotypes.

So, regardless of how many groups of young white kids commit crimes like these, white kids in general will never be seen as "criminal".

According to the article, the group leader, Nick Prugo, has been charged with seven counts of burglary, carrying a sentence of two to six years each. Somehow, I just don't think he'll end up serving more than two or three.

I can only imagine, however, how much time he'd be looking at if he were black.

Original article: http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/fe...e-girls-201003

[pghquest]

They are being charged for committing crimes, which disputes your argument that arent being seen as criminals...

Especially odd is that you seemed to have gone out of your way to discover these individuals races.. The story diesnt 0state such facts..

[+ or -]

I also want to add, as someone who grew up among privileged white kids, that they are statistically more likely to abuse drugs and alcohol than inner city black kids. Why? Because they have the money and resources to purchase it. But of course, they rarely get caught.

So it appears as if blacks disproportionately engage in illegal substance abuse because they are six times more likely to be arrested and charged, but this is only because whites are far less likely to be searched.

[Oakland City]

The only people who believe there is no such thing as white privilege are

1. racists who feel the white man is under attack.
2. whites who do not want to lose their white privilege
3. uneducated people who have no understanding of American or European history

[RVA-Jsn20]

Originally Posted by pghquest

They are being charged for committing crimes, which disputes your argument that arent being seen as criminals...

Especially odd is that you seemed to have gone out of your way to discover these individuals races.. The story diesnt 0state such facts..

+1

[RVA-Jsn20]

Originally Posted by + or -

So, regardless of how many groups of young white kids commit crimes like these, white kids in general will never be seen as "criminal".

And why is that? Ever stop to think that this is just YOUR mentality.

[calipoppy]

Bunch of thugs

[+ or -]

Originally Posted by pghquest

They are being charged for committing crimes, which disputes your argument that arent being seen as criminals...

Especially odd is that you seemed to have gone out of your way to discover these individuals races.. The story diesnt 0state such facts..

You're missing the point...the point is that, no one is furthering their racist agenda here by proclaiming, "see, I told you so! One group of white kids commited these crimes, so they must ALL be doing it". You know, the kind of tired mantra that has been repeated on these boards and through various news outlets when a black or group of blacks does something illegal.

And a simple Google search will provide you with pictures of these kids.

[pghquest]

Originally Posted by + or -

You're missing the point...the point is that, no one is furthering their racist agenda here by proclaiming, "see, I told you so! One group of white kids commited these crimes, so they must ALL be doing it". You know, the kind of tired mantra that has been repeated on these boards and through various news outlets when a black or group of blacks does something illegal.

And a simple Google search will provide you with pictures of these kids.

Actually it does seem that someone is furthering their racist adjenda here.. They created threads pertaining to it..

[annika08]

Class privilege exists...not white privilege.

OP-how can you say whites don't think about their "whiteness"? Whites have it shoved down their throats constantly. This thread is just an example.