• This is a political forum that is non-biased/non-partisan and treats every person's position on topics equally. This debate forum is not aligned to any political party. In today's politics, many ideas are split between and even within all the political parties. Often we find ourselves agreeing on one platform but some topics break our mold. We are here to discuss them in a civil political debate. If this is your first visit to our political forums, be sure to check out the RULES. Registering for debate politics is necessary before posting. Register today to participate - it's free!

Does "white privilege" exist? If so, should it be corrected?[W: 356]

Does "white privilege exist"?


  • Total voters
    71
Re: Does "white privilege" exist? If so, should it be corrected?

I don't really know if I think there is "white privilege" or not. It's hard to quantify something like that. But I absolutely disagree with your conclusion here. Having successful people and unsuccessful people of each group does not prove there is no such thing as white privilege. Pointing to one example of a successful black person or an unsuccessful white person absolutely does not negate the idea that in general white people have an inherent advantage in society. Again, I don't know if I believe that's the case, but pointing out one or two CEO's of color and declaring that conclusively proves "white privilege" doesn't exist seems ridiculous to me.

There are many more black CEOs in the US and the world.

I was just using these 2 as an example. McDonalds is one of the biggest companies in the world and so is Xerox. I don't intend to make a point just off of them.
 
Re: Does "white privilege" exist? If so, should it be corrected?

Yes there is white privilege, it's fairly obvious. There is also male privilege, hetero privilege, cis-gendered privilege, and yes they do exist. Apart of the privilege is not seeing that there is a privilege, because one is shielded from the negative aspects because of said privilege.

So white male heterosexuals are to blame for your failure? :roll:
 
Re: Does "white privilege" exist? If so, should it be corrected?

So white male heterosexuals are to blame for your failure? :roll:

Did I say that? No. Though it is easier for a white heterosexual man to succeed in this world, yes.
 
Re: Does "white privilege" exist? If so, should it be corrected?

Harry probably has the best post of the thread thus far.

Yes, it exists to a certain degree in so much as the notion of "white" is the generalized "default". This isn't inherently a "bad" or "evil" thing but rather a typical cultural human thing. Go into an area where the predominent race is asian and there will be asian privledge. Go into an area where the predominent race is black and there will be black privledge. This is because human nature says that whatever is the most common thing one experiences on a routine basis will be what's set to "default" in ones head unless there's some other strong factor to alter that.

No, there does not need to be an exceedingly strong endevour to "correct" for it at this point. There's a difference between an active and passive notion of privledge. In the past in this country, the notion was absolutely active...there were proactive laws, regulations, and unspoken societal agreements aimed specifically at stifling those that were not white. This warranted significant action to attept to combat and change; those things both being necessary for any real success. You can't just fight against it, you must change the culture. And by and large, the later has happened. However, as the amount of active privledge reduces so to does the amount of active combative actions need to decrease as well lest you create a situation of blowback. There comes a time where people believe there is a fight and battle going on largely because you're still telling them they need to be fighting and battling...and for no other reason.

We're not entirely to a point where all forms of corrective action needs to be removed or ended. There's still teaching needing to be done and there's still some who seek and push for an active notion of it. But that point moves ever closer, but is stifled by the refusal by many to realistically acknolwedge it nor the progress that's been made.
 
Re: Does "white privilege" exist? If so, should it be corrected?

The term "white privilege" is a racist one. Its only motive is to make white people feel guilty about being white. To hate themselves for being white. To expect people to take on the burden of guilt for actions and deeds that most not only had no part in, but quite probably were fellow victims is appalling.

I have no doubt that racism is alive and well, so if racism equates to white privilege then white privilege is still the norm. I don't think anyone anticipates that I should hate myself because of my skin color, but I am not going to kid myself about whether or not I have an advantage over minorities.
 
Re: Does "white privilege" exist? If so, should it be corrected?

Harry probably has the best post of the thread thus far.

Yes, it exists to a certain degree in so much as the notion of "white" is the generalized "default". This isn't inherently a "bad" or "evil" thing but rather a typical cultural human thing. Go into an area where the predominent race is asian and there will be asian privledge. Go into an area where the predominent race is black and there will be black privledge. This is because human nature says that whatever is the most common thing one experiences on a routine basis will be what's set to "default" in ones head unless there's some other strong factor to alter that.

No, there does not need to be an exceedingly strong endevour to "correct" for it at this point. There's a difference between an active and passive notion of privledge. In the past in this country, the notion was absolutely active...there were proactive laws, regulations, and unspoken societal agreements aimed specifically at stifling those that were not white. This warranted significant action to attept to combat and change; those things both being necessary for any real success. You can't just fight against it, you must change the culture. And by and large, the later has happened. However, as the amount of active privledge reduces so to does the amount of active combative actions need to decrease as well lest you create a situation of blowback. There comes a time where people believe there is a fight and battle going on largely because you're still telling them they need to be fighting and battling...and for no other reason.

We're not entirely to a point where all forms of corrective action needs to be removed or ended. There's still teaching needing to be done and there's still some who seek and push for an active notion of it. But that point moves ever closer, but is stifled by the refusal by many to realistically acknolwedge it nor the progress that's been made.
1. It's not entirely true that going into Asian or black areas (within the United States, at least) leads to Asian privilege. For example, within many black neighborhoods in the United States, white privilege still trumps anything that could be considered "white privilege." In fact, many of the people in such neighborhoods still treat white people as if they are more "worthy" of respect than other black people simply because they've internalized the prejudice they grew up with. Moreover, white people often own the most significant businesses in the area, control the government that dictates policies in their area, dominates the media that portrays them as less than and so on.

2. It's easy for a white heterosexual male to say "no, there doesn't need to be an exceedingly strong endeavor to correct for white privilege," don't you think? I mean, why does there need to be a strong endeavor to correct inequality that doesn't have noticeably negative effects on your life and that perpetuates the historical inequality that people like you have faced for centuries?

3. The fact that you think that "by and large" the culture has changed illustrates the very white privilege that is the topic of this thread as being white allows you to not see the negative ramifications of the privilege you likely benefit from. What has changed are blatant displays of racism and discrimination in law, in speech and in other aspects of society. And while discrimination is certainly lower than it was in the past, the culture that "white privilege" creates has certainly not been "by and large" changed. White people - white people who don't acknowledge current extent of white privilege and its effects on non-whites - still dominate government, media, education and most of society.

4. If you or anyone else "believes there is a fight and battle going on largely because you're still telling them they need to be fighting and battling...and for no other reason," then that is your problem not the problem of the people talking about the "fight". As a result, you should educate yourself. (And this isn't even meant to be snarky, just to the point.)

5. There little to no people in this country who refuse to acknowledge the "progress that's been made." The vast majority of people know that black people are literally enslaved anymore and that white people don't have blatant laws making them superior to others. As a result, I don't think your criticism on that issue is particularly relevant.
 
Re: Does "white privilege" exist? If so, should it be corrected?

1. It's not entirely true that going into Asian or black areas (within the United States, at least) leads to Asian privilege. For example, within many black neighborhoods in the United States, white privilege still trumps anything that could be considered "white privilege." In fact, many of the people in such neighborhoods still treat white people as if they are more "worthy" of respect than other black people simply because they've internalized the prejudice they grew up with. Moreover, white people often own the most significant businesses in the area, control the government that dictates policies in their area, dominates the media that portrays them as less than and so on.

I was speaking of areas in a larger sense, similar on scale to the United States rather than going to a micro level of neighborhoods. That said, I would say some aspects of "privledges" does exist in those things, specifically in terms of the notion of "default status". It's funny, your attempts at grasping onto exceptions in those instances mirror those who attempt to do so on the other side on a national level.

2. It's easy for a white heterosexual male to say "no, there doesn't need to be an exceedingly strong endeavor to correct for white privilege," don't you think? I mean, why does there need to be a strong endeavor to correct inequality that doesn't have noticeably negative effects on your life and that perpetuates the historical inequality that people like you have faced for centuries?

I think that's a pretty ingenious debate tactic there...immedietely belittle the opinion of a pocket of people who disagree with you based on their race. I don't believe it's any easier for a white heterosexual male to say than it is for a non-white, non-heterosexual, or non-male to say the opposite. Unlike you, I don't belittle their opinion due to that.

3. The fact that you think that "by and large" the culture has changed illustrates the very white privilege that is the topic of this thread as being white allows you to not see the negative ramifications of the privilege you likely benefit from. What has changed are blatant displays of racism and discrimination in law, in speech and in other aspects of society. And while discrimination is certainly lower than it was in the past, the culture that "white privilege" creates has certainly not been "by and large" changed. White people - white people who don't acknowledge current extent of white privilege and its effects on non-whites - still dominate government, media, education and most of society.

Culture has changed. That's not speaking from bias, but from casual observation. The successively younger generation tends to have a more neutral outlook in terms of race and exhibit less, and less severe, acts of active or even passive institutionalized prejudice. Is it all gone? Absolutely not. Notice I even stated such in my post. But our society is well beyond the levels of the 40's or 50's, and even the 80's and 90's, especially when you look at the generational pockets which came into adulthood during the later decades. Is it progressed to where it ultimatley needs to go? But then again, my actual POST never suggested that.

4. If you or anyone else "believes there is a fight and battle going on largely because you're still telling them they need to be fighting and battling...and for no other reason," then that is your problem not the problem of the people talking about the "fight". As a result, you should educate yourself. (And this isn't even meant to be snarky, just to the point.)

Good thing I stated "There comes a time" suggesting that said time has no arrived yet. Perhaps you should read peoples posts rather than seeing a general stance and immedietely making assumptions and stereotypes of what they think in such a prejudice manner.

5. There little to no people in this country who refuse to acknowledge the "progress that's been made."

Which I never said. There's a difference between acknowledging it and acknowleding it in a realistic manner. I agree, few acknolwedge that progress has been made. I believe that a far larger number however don't acknowledge the amount and level of progress has been made because doing so does not suit the political agenda. Like many movements...from the Civil Rights to the Tea Party...they are political in nature and are leveraged for that reason, typically starting with good intentions but also realizing that losing any amount of zeal, emotion, or severity lessens the power of said movement. And thus, the fires must be stoked as if every past success is both momentous AND irrelevant in terms of the problem being faced. This is an unrealistic acknowledgement of the situation in my mind. You don't believe my criticisms are relevant; that's fair, that's your right. However, with the whole sale stereotyping and blatant prejudice you've displayed in your post by routinely stereotyping me out of a bigoted connotation that seemingly all those who believe a particular view point must hold certain beliefs and views, forgive me if I don't believe much of what you post or state is relevant to me either.
 
Re: Does "white privilege" exist? If so, should it be corrected?

This post is so ignorant. A white man applying for scholarships is not "disadvantaged" by scholarships for blacks, women and whoever else. Those scholarships are there to give blacks, women, etc. a chance to compete with white men - to compete with the advantage that being a white male has historically held in society.

Typical load of crap that I've come to expect of you. When you are systematically eliminated from applying to a scholarship based on race or sex, you are at a complete disadvantage. Conversely, I have NEVER...not once...seen a scholarship open to ONLY white males. A general scholarship is open to both sexes, all races, all nationalities, religions, etc. I just think it's comical how you think that any scholarship not specifically set aside for a minority is going to go de facto to a white male.

I honestly can't tell if you're a WRA or just some minority who's upset that everything is not given to her. Doesn't change the absurdity of your opinion either way.
 
Re: Does "white privilege" exist? If so, should it be corrected?

Riiiiight.

That's why 'white' men make about 40% more then women and about 25-30% more then 'black' men...because they have it soooo rough.

:rolleyes:

Personal income in the United States - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

In that SAME wiki article, it talks about median income, broken down by race, where Asians are #1 - followed by whites, then blacks, then Hispanics.

Gee...I wonder if EDUCATION plays a part in that.

Take your red herring, and your excuses, elsewhere. Both are a joke here.
 
Re: Does "white privilege" exist? If so, should it be corrected?

"White privilege (or white skin privilege) refers to what some individuals perceive as advantages that white people enjoy in certain societies beyond those commonly experienced by people of color in the same social, political, or economic spaces (nation, community, workplace, income, etc). The controversial term connotes both obvious and less obvious unspoken advantages that white individuals may not recognize they have. These include cultural affirmations of one's own worth; greater presumed social status; and freedom to move, buy, work, play, and speak freely. The concept of white privilege also implies the right to assume the universality of one's own experiences, marking others as different or exceptional while perceiving oneself as normal. It can be compared and/or combined with the concept of male privilege. Does this still exist? If so, should it be corrected and fought against?

Of course it exist, to say it doesnt is either dishonest or uneducated. Its be just as illogical to say racism doesnt exist.

Now the question is how much does it exist, where and when.

Its not a BLANKET that coats everything, just as racism isnt a blanket that coats everything but white privileged is alive and well all over the country.

Also i didnt vote because while it factually exists im not sure i like saying its a problem and needs fixed.

I dont think its wide spread or ingrained enough to do anything more than we are already doing to be civil to one another. Awarness and laws to protect us.

Basically what im getting at is i dont think there needs to be any special campaign or anything like that, just basic education and enforce the laws that are on the books now or improve them as needed.
 
Re: Does "white privilege" exist? If so, should it be corrected?

The fact that something like Affirmative Action exists is proof that black people are(were?) at enough of a disadvantage that it would be proposed in the first place.
 
Re: Does "white privilege" exist? If so, should it be corrected?

Typical load of crap that I've come to expect of you. When you are systematically eliminated from applying to a scholarship based on race or sex, you are at a complete disadvantage. Conversely, I have NEVER...not once...seen a scholarship open to ONLY white males. A general scholarship is open to both sexes, all races, all nationalities, religions, etc. I just think it's comical how you think that any scholarship not specifically set aside for a minority is going to go de facto to a white male.

I honestly can't tell if you're a WRA or just some minority who's upset that everything is not given to her. Doesn't change the absurdity of your opinion either way.

If there was some people would say it's racist. Many schools have minority scholarships exclusive to minority students. I went through college on an academic scholarship, PELL Grant based on income, and state aid as well as taking out loans.

Graduate school admissions are extremely racist. In healthcare there seems to be this magical "under represented in healthcare" drive where schools are encouraged to accept more minority students. That's just entirely wrong in my opinion and race should never be a consideration when it comes to aid or acceptance.
 
Last edited:
Re: Does "white privilege" exist? If so, should it be corrected?

What made me more receptive to the concept was noticing what it was like when trying to explain educational or work rights I have that the non-disabled population doesn't get. The same "I'm at a disadvantage" rhetoric came up, and they were literally unable to contemplate how this put met at a more even playing field where my merit could get through (despite the fact that people could very well expect that being disabled was seen as a disadvantage). This is indeed an apples and oranges comparison, but the small nugget I learned from that helped explain the white privilege concept. Now, surely when I was first exposed to the concept, I had a nearly gut reaction against it. That's normal. I'm white, I'm male, but furthermore I considered that, "well, I didn't have much of an advantage...I'm disabled." It's just a slow exposure to the small things that make the concept real. It has its layers, not all of them totally visible at first glance...but it's there.
 
Last edited:
Re: Does "white privilege" exist? If so, should it be corrected?

The fact that something like Affirmative Action exists is proof that black people are(were?) at enough of a disadvantage that it would be proposed in the first place.

No it isn't. It is just proof of politicians wanting to lure the black or other minoirty voters by catering to them.
 
Re: Does "white privilege" exist? If so, should it be corrected?

No it isn't. It is just proof of politicians wanting to lure the black or other minoirty voters by catering to them.

Yes, that's it. Because at no point were black people on a lower rung of the ladder than white people.

I swear, in the minds of some of you people there's this idea that at the end of the civil war black people were instantly raised to equal status with everybody else.
 
Re: Does "white privilege" exist? If so, should it be corrected?

Yes, that's it. Because at no point were black people on a lower rung of the ladder than white people.

I swear, in the minds of some of you people there's this idea that at the end of the civil war black people were instantly raised to equal status with everybody else.

Oh my. Well, that settles it. Each race is a hive mind and it is a completely collective entity. This is what is wrong with you people, you communists, you put everything in groups. You bunch them all together and draw stupid conclusions. And I am using the word communist correctly here. Progressive means to actually progress in civic duty and nationhood, not be a backwards collectivist. You shame that word, like many others, but that's besides the point.

Look here. Affirmative action is a racist joke, made by people who decided that they can grasp political votes on public taxpayer funds. And they can. And they do. And you all fall for it like its candy. It isn't candy, its sh!t. And it contributes more and more to racism and bigotry, the unhealthy kind, and makes everybody filled with paranoia and stupidity. Stop it. The real success stories in the black community didn't come from affirmative action. It came from the private companies and corporations and private initiatives. Not government programs.
 
Re: Does "white privilege" exist? If so, should it be corrected?

Are you kidding? If anything, I'm at a DISadvantage today as a white male.

Revoke Affirmative Action and actually judge men by the content of their character and not the color of their skin. And quit giving women everything they want.

Utter BS.

:coffeepap
 
Re: Does "white privilege" exist? If so, should it be corrected?

"White Privilege" in America most certainly exists, although I dislike the terminology. It is actually the advantages of implicit acceptance that one gains by being part of a dominant social grouping. The primary advantage of being white in America is that your skin color automatically means you are part of the social norm.

That may not seem like much, but one cannot appreciate its importance until you suddenly lose. If a white American moved to a country with a different dominant social group, say Japan, the negative consequences of being implicitly treated as an outsider are quite clear. You are considered different and society makes you feel it.You find yourself having to prove yourself to everyone you meet rather than starting on an equal footing. If you are unlucky, you run into people who are truly discriminatory.

The focus should really be shifted to the power dynamics rather than labeling on groups that traditionally had power. The key is to look at who holds the means of power: raw numbers, wealth, social status, military status, political influence ect. White Heterosexual Christian Males meet those factors in the U.S., but Arab Heterosexual Muslim Males dominate Saudi Arabia. Its not about feeling guilty either, but simply about understanding the reality of the situation.
 
Re: Does "white privilege" exist? If so, should it be corrected?

Oh my. Well, that settles it. Each race is a hive mind and it is a completely collective entity. This is what is wrong with you people, you communists, you put everything in groups. You bunch them all together and draw stupid conclusions. And I am using the word communist correctly here. Progressive means to actually progress in civic duty and nationhood, not be a backwards collectivist. You shame that word, like many others, but that's besides the point.

Look here. Affirmative action is a racist joke, made by people who decided that they can grasp political votes on public taxpayer funds. And they can. And they do. And you all fall for it like its candy. It isn't candy, its sh!t. And it contributes more and more to racism and bigotry, the unhealthy kind, and makes everybody filled with paranoia and stupidity. Stop it. The real success stories in the black community didn't come from affirmative action. It came from the private companies and corporations and private initiatives. Not government programs.

Out of curiosity, when do you think racism in any significant form came to an end?
 
Re: Does "white privilege" exist? If so, should it be corrected?

I actually find it weird that this is a debate for anybody and how anybody thinks it doesnt exist.

I mean people understand that simply telling a story or even many stories about situations where one feels that being white hindered them that doesnt change the fact that white privilege still exists.

its the same thing with racism, i could tell story after story how people are not racist, that doesnt mean racism doesnt exist.
 
Re: Does "white privilege" exist? If so, should it be corrected?

Out of curiosity, when do you think racism in any significant form came to an end?

... Oh boy. Well, based on what definition and in what capacity of racism are we talking about?
Institutional racism? It's alive and kicking. Affirmative action is the love child of racism. Only the political correct term for that is positive discrimination. But don't be fooled by the rhetoric, it is racism. The bad kind. The worst kind actually because it is hypocritical.

What else...

Racism on an inter-personal level? I doubt you can ever, under current circumstances, get rid of people who hate other races just because. You have racist people and supremacists on all sides of the skin color. Whites, asians, indians, jews, arabs, blacks and what naught. Just in the US, look how many racist groups there that promote racism on an inter-personal and institutional level. Westboro baptist, Black Panther party, KKK, NAACP, AIPAC, etc.

What else...

Ah, fake racism. this will always exist. This is the kind of racism idiots pass off as racism. Its the most common form of racism and it is there because racism is not really a well-defined concept and everybody abuses that word worse than a holywood abuses their remakes of movies. And it is found everyday. Most of the people that say that they see racism everyday, mean this kind of racism. This fake, non-substantial, full of crap, I'm holier than thou racism. Which isn't really racism at all. It is just... part of awkward experiences people have in their everyday lives because everybody is different.
 
Re: Does "white privilege" exist? If so, should it be corrected?

... Oh boy. Well, based on what definition and in what capacity of racism are we talking about?
Institutional racism? It's alive and kicking. Affirmative action is the love child of racism. Only the political correct term for that is positive discrimination. But don't be fooled by the rhetoric, it is racism. The bad kind. The worst kind actually because it is hypocritical.

What else...

Racism on an inter-personal level? I doubt you can ever, under current circumstances, get rid of people who hate other races just because. You have racist people and supremacists on all sides of the skin color. Whites, asians, indians, jews, arabs, blacks and what naught. Just in the US, look how many racist groups there that promote racism on an inter-personal and institutional level. Westboro baptist, Black Panther party, KKK, NAACP, AIPAC, etc.

What else...

Ah, fake racism. this will always exist. This is the kind of racism idiots pass off as racism. Its the most common form of racism and it is there because racism is not really a well-defined concept and everybody abuses that word worse than a holywood abuses their remakes of movies. And it is found everyday. Most of the people that say that they see racism everyday, mean this kind of racism. This fake, non-substantial, full of crap, I'm holier than thou racism. Which isn't really racism at all. It is just... part of awkward experiences people have in their everyday lives because everybody is different.

factual AA/EO has nothing to do with racism at all.

Now there are people/orgs that have racist policies and then they label it AA/EO but that doesnt make it true at all.

I can punch you in the mouth and call it love all i want that doesnt make it so.
 
Re: Does "white privilege" exist? If so, should it be corrected?

Are you kidding? If anything, I'm at a DISadvantage today as a white male.

Revoke Affirmative Action and actually judge men by the content of their character and not the color of their skin. And quit giving women everything they want.

You sound more like an extreme conserative than you do a libitarian.
 
Re: Does "white privilege" exist? If so, should it be corrected?

factual AA/EO has nothing to do with racism at all.

Now there are people/orgs that have racist policies and then they label it AA/EO but that doesnt make it true at all.

I can punch you in the mouth and call it love all i want that doesnt make it so.

Why isn't it racist? It is aimed at racial groups exclusively while disconsidering other groups entirely. And, all the racial groups have to chip in for things they don't get back because of that program. It seems pretty racist from where I'm standing.

And your example is stupid. First off, you can call it whatever you want, from where I'm standing, I will know that it isn't love. And you will suffer the immediate consequences of your actions. But this is because we are private individuals. You can't do that with the government. And you can't have a government that is supported by (and should represent) all people and have racial programs for some people. It just doesn't work that way.

Surprisingly, you can be a politician. You can do bad stuff and call it a positive word. That also makes you an hypocrite. And it is exactly what the political class and other "social leaders" have done. They replaced racism with "positive discrimination". It's just a joke. And the bad part is, that you, the citizen, are the one they are laughing at.
 
Re: Does "white privilege" exist? If so, should it be corrected?

1.)Why isn't it racist? It is aimed at racial groups exclusively while disconsidering other groups entirely. And, all the racial groups have to chip in for things they don't get back because of that program. It seems pretty racist from where I'm standing.

2.)And your example is stupid. First off, you can call it whatever you want, from where I'm standing, I will know that it isn't love. And you will suffer the immediate consequences of your actions. But this is because we are private individuals. You can't do that with the government. And you can't have a government that is supported by (and should represent) all people and have racial programs for some people. It just doesn't work that way.

3.)Surprisingly, you can be a politician. You can do bad stuff and call it a positive word. That also makes you an hypocrite. And it is exactly what the political class and other "social leaders" have done. They replaced racism with "positive discrimination". It's just a joke. And the bad part is, that you, the citizen, are the one they are laughing at.

1.) easy because REAL AA/EO is only a policy and program to make sure ALL groups are represented and given an oppurtunity, nothing more.

2.) the example is spot on because real AA/EO is defined and has a definitions and other things falsely labeled AA/EO arent factually AA/EO the same with my example.

3.) yes, sometimes this happens and its NOT factual AA/EO.
 
Back
Top Bottom