What is white privilege? [W:355]

"White privilege is the automatic, taken-for-granted advantage bestowed upon white people as a result of living in a society based on the premise of white as the human ideal, and that from its founding established white advantage as a matter of law and today as a matter of policy and practice," DiAngelo said. "It doesn't matter if you agree with it, if you want it, if you even are aware of it — it's 24/7/365.

"One of the reasons why it's so hard for white people to see it — well, there are many reasons — but one is it serves us not to see it. We come to feel entitled to that advantage. We're told that we deserve it and that we earned it, and we take great umbrage when that is challenged."

What about white people who say, "I struggle too"?
"I'm really clear that I'm not saying that white people don't struggle or face barriers or work hard, but there's a major barrier in this society, racism, that we don't struggle with and not struggling against that barrier actually helps us navigate the barriers that we do struggle with," DiAngelo said. "You grew up in poverty. How has being white shaped how you experience poverty, and how you get out of poverty if you do get out of poverty? Again, it's not saying that white Americans don't work hard, but it's a bit like being a fish in a current that impacts the outcome of that work. There's a kind of moving along that amplifies that work, and for people of color, for black people, you're swimming against the current. And we're both working, we're both swimming, but there's such a different impact on the outcome of that effort."

What is white privilege? What questions should white Americans be asking? Two academics weigh in - CBS News

Re: What is white privilege?

Marxistleninist said:

"White privilege is the automatic, taken-for-granted advantage bestowed upon white people as a result of living in a society based on the premise of white as the human ideal, and that from its founding established white advantage as a matter of law and today as a matter of policy and practice," DiAngelo said. "It doesn't matter if you agree with it, if you want it, if you even are aware of it — it's 24/7/365.

"One of the reasons why it's so hard for white people to see it — well, there are many reasons — but one is it serves us not to see it. We come to feel entitled to that advantage. We're told that we deserve it and that we earned it, and we take great umbrage when that is challenged."

What about white people who say, "I struggle too"?
"I'm really clear that I'm not saying that white people don't struggle or face barriers or work hard, but there's a major barrier in this society, racism, that we don't struggle with and not struggling against that barrier actually helps us navigate the barriers that we do struggle with," DiAngelo said. "You grew up in poverty. How has being white shaped how you experience poverty, and how you get out of poverty if you do get out of poverty? Again, it's not saying that white Americans don't work hard, but it's a bit like being a fish in a current that impacts the outcome of that work. There's a kind of moving along that amplifies that work, and for people of color, for black people, you're swimming against the current. And we're both working, we're both swimming, but there's such a different impact on the outcome of that effort."

What is white privilege? What questions should white Americans be asking? Two academics weigh in - CBS News

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Is there any place in the world that doesn't have a privilege for certain groups or individuals??

Re: What is white privilege?

If you believe that the whole world is inherently racist then I can see why you'd believe in "white privilege". Then again, if you believe that whites are inherently racist then isn't that pretty damned racist in itself?

Re: What is white privilege?

I want to ask аmericans - and who is more difficult in the USA - for children from white low-income families or children from black low-income families? to which of them does the state provide benefits?

Re: What is white privilege?

Marxistleninist said:

"White privilege is the automatic, taken-for-granted advantage bestowed upon white people as a result of living in a society based on the premise of white as the human ideal, and that from its founding established white advantage as a matter of law and today as a matter of policy and practice," DiAngelo said. "It doesn't matter if you agree with it, if you want it, if you even are aware of it — it's 24/7/365.

"One of the reasons why it's so hard for white people to see it — well, there are many reasons — but one is it serves us not to see it. We come to feel entitled to that advantage. We're told that we deserve it and that we earned it, and we take great umbrage when that is challenged."

What about white people who say, "I struggle too"?
"I'm really clear that I'm not saying that white people don't struggle or face barriers or work hard, but there's a major barrier in this society, racism, that we don't struggle with and not struggling against that barrier actually helps us navigate the barriers that we do struggle with," DiAngelo said. "You grew up in poverty. How has being white shaped how you experience poverty, and how you get out of poverty if you do get out of poverty? Again, it's not saying that white Americans don't work hard, but it's a bit like being a fish in a current that impacts the outcome of that work. There's a kind of moving along that amplifies that work, and for people of color, for black people, you're swimming against the current. And we're both working, we're both swimming, but there's such a different impact on the outcome of that effort."

What is white privilege? What questions should white Americans be asking? Two academics weigh in - CBS News

Click to expand...

Here's the question I'm asking... In the last 35 years 324k blacks were killed by other blacks. Should I be blaming my white privilege for this?

Re: What is white privilege?

Lutherf said:

If you believe that the whole world is inherently racist then I can see why you'd believe in "white privilege". Then again, if you believe that whites are inherently racist then isn't that pretty damned racist in itself?

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You didn't read even one word of that post, did you? :lamo

Re: What is white privilege?

trixare4kids said:

Here's the question I'm asking... In the last 35 years 324k blacks were killed by other blacks. Should I be blaming my white privilege for this?

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They've got their marching orders. "Black on black violence" is this week's chant. Even when it's not relevant to the post! I'll mark you down as another one who didn't even read one word of the OP.

Re: What is white privilege?

Moonglow said:

Is there any place in the world that doesn't have a privilege for certain groups or individuals??

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I'm of the same mindset .. If white privilege exists and the social justice warriors are demanding action, why are they waiting on others to act first while they maintain their own "privilege?" I laugh every time I see a white college student demanding we do something about white privilege.

Re: What is white privilege?

White privilege here in the United States is the equivalent to whatever majority/favored demographic there is in any country.

I think the easiest way to understand white privilege is that when you're pulled over for speeding, your race isn't a factor in how the cop treats you.

It's wayyyyyy more extensive than that, of course, but that's a good way to first grasp the idea.

Anyway, people who refuse to understand or accept white privilege do so because the very concept refutes the core idea that they're victims. All racists are, at heart, "victims." White privilege removes their victimhood and therefore the entire foundation for their racism, and that's why they can never ever acknowledge its existence.

Re: What is white privilege?

What advantages do I have over today's minorities?

Okay, white liberals... go at it. Purge your white guilt. :lamo

Re: What is white privilege?

trixare4kids said:

What advantages do I have over today's minorities?

Okay, white liberals... go at it. Purge your white guilt. :lamo

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You don't have to deal with systemic racial biases.

Re: What is white privilege?

Cardinal said:

White privilege here in the United States is the equivalent to whatever majority/favored demographic there is in any country.

I think the easiest way to understand white privilege is that when you're pulled over for speeding, your race isn't a factor in how the cop treats you.

It's wayyyyyy more extensive than that, of course, but that's a good way to first grasp the idea.

Anyway, people who refuse to understand or accept white privilege do so because the very concept refutes the core idea that they're victims. All racists are, at heart, "victims." White privilege removes their victimhood and therefore the entire foundation for their racism, and that's why they can never ever acknowledge its existence.

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Context is global. As a white person, one is treated special in the developing world. Our privilege is global. Additionally, and of more important note, minority disadvantage is global. Population majorities in developing countries do nothing to change the global power dynamics. A vote for an African president does not carry the same international weight as a vote for the American or a European leader. Thus, even in a local population majority, a minority finds themselves marginalized on the world scale.

White privilege is global and not any minority anywhere in the world can escape it.

Re: What is white privilege?

trixare4kids said:

What advantages do I have over today's minorities?

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Your race isn't a negative factor in everyday situations. And no, venting your racism on anonymous debate forums and getting blowback for it isn't an "everyday situation."

Re: What is white privilege?

Moonglow said:

Is there any place in the world that doesn't have a privilege for certain groups or individuals??

Click to expand...

The following is arguably applicable to today:

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. — Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world."

Are black people treated as equals among white people? If so, do you disagree with the validity of statistics which show disparate impact on black people vs white people? That those figures are statistically wrong? If you think them wrong, what is wrong about them?

Re: What is white privilege?

It’s a fallacy aimed at shutting anyone down who doesn’t think “correctly”.

Re: What is white privilege?

White privilege? A term invented by liberals in order to make white people feel ashamed of themselves for being born white, as if they had any say in the matter.

Re: What is white privilege?

Marxistleninist said:

"White privilege is the automatic, taken-for-granted advantage bestowed upon white people as a result of living in a society based on the premise of white as the human ideal, and that from its founding established white advantage as a matter of law and today as a matter of policy and practice," DiAngelo said. "It doesn't matter if you agree with it, if you want it, if you even are aware of it — it's 24/7/365.

"One of the reasons why it's so hard for white people to see it — well, there are many reasons — but one is it serves us not to see it. We come to feel entitled to that advantage. We're told that we deserve it and that we earned it, and we take great umbrage when that is challenged."

What about white people who say, "I struggle too"?
"I'm really clear that I'm not saying that white people don't struggle or face barriers or work hard, but there's a major barrier in this society, racism, that we don't struggle with and not struggling against that barrier actually helps us navigate the barriers that we do struggle with," DiAngelo said. "You grew up in poverty. How has being white shaped how you experience poverty, and how you get out of poverty if you do get out of poverty? Again, it's not saying that white Americans don't work hard, but it's a bit like being a fish in a current that impacts the outcome of that work. There's a kind of moving along that amplifies that work, and for people of color, for black people, you're swimming against the current. And we're both working, we're both swimming, but there's such a different impact on the outcome of that effort."

What is white privilege? What questions should white Americans be asking? Two academics weigh in - CBS News

Click to expand...

Yeah well, being female is a big disadvantage also. And being short. And being old.

I did NOT have advantages or privileges. No one paid for my education, no one handed me a job. I worked damn hard. And faced plenty of unfair discrimination because of sex and age.

Re: What is white privilege?

X Factor said:

It’s a fallacy aimed at shutting anyone down who doesn’t think “correctly”.

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Why do you say that? What do you mean "anyone who doesn't think correctly?" Can you give an example of this use?

Re: What is white privilege?

ecofarm said:

Context is global. As a white person, one is treated special in the developing world. Our privilege is global. Additionally, and of more important note, minority disadvantage is global. Population majorities in developing countries do nothing to change the global power dynamics. A vote for an African president does not carry the same international weight as a vote for the American or a European leader. Thus, even in a local population majority, a minority finds themselves marginalized on the world scale.

White privilege is global and not any minority anywhere in the world can escape it.

Click to expand...

Which is why I called it "majority/favored" demographic. As a result of colonialism in many instances, being a white person in a country in which they're the minority can still bestow favored status, or white privilege.

Re: What is white privilege?

Lutherf said:

If you believe that the whole world is inherently racist then I can see why you'd believe in "white privilege". Then again, if you believe that whites are inherently racist then isn't that pretty damned racist in itself?

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That's pathetically moronic.

1. Every race is equally bigoted.

2. The majority power makes it a social thing.

Re: What is white privilege?

Report: The War on Marijuana in Black and White | American Civil Liberties Union
Staggering Racial Bias: Marijuana use is roughly equal among Blacks and whites, yet Blacks are 3.73 times as likely to be arrested for marijuana possession.

Just on this 1 issue alone there show white privilege.

Now, take that the black people get incarcerated far more than whites, just on this one issue alone. That means 1 adult(likely) will be in jail and the family is left with 1 parent.
Which can lead to many more issues among the black community. If the 1 in jail is the breadwinner.


Also, all the rules in the USA were made mostly by White Males. So they tend to be skewed into the favor of those making the rules.

Re: What is white privilege?

Good4Nothin said:

Yeah well, being female is a big disadvantage also. And being short. And being old.

I did NOT have advantages or privileges. No one paid for my education, no one handed me a job. I worked damn hard. And faced plenty of unfair discrimination because of sex and age.

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Nobody is saying you didn't struggle. Nobody is saying you didn't work for what you have.

This is the problem with the term "white privilege." Conservatives see it as an attack on them. They think someone using the phrase "white privilege" means they're being told they didn't earn what they have.

Don't worry, G4N, that's not what it means.

Re: What is white privilege?

veritas1 said:

White privilege? A term invented by liberals in order to make white people feel ashamed of themselves for being born white, as if they had any say in the matter.

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Interestingly, the only people who talk about "shame" or "guilt" when white privilege is brought up are conservatives. People who grasp the concept of white privilege never suggest that white people should feel shame or guilt. That's on you.

Re: What is white privilege?

trixare4kids said:

Here's the question I'm asking... In the last 35 years 324k blacks were killed by other blacks. Should I be blaming my white privilege for this?

Click to expand...

Irrelevant.

Re: What is white privilege?

bluesmoke said:

The following is arguably applicable to today:

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. — Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world."

Are black people treated as equals among white people? If so, do you disagree with the validity of statistics which show disparate impact on black people vs white people? That those figures are statistically wrong? If you think them wrong, what is wrong about them?

Click to expand...

This document was written for white male landed gentry in the US...Did you notice how the guy that wrote it owned slaves?