Does White Privilege Exist?

PP193448

brianlux said:

hedonist said:

brianlux said:

dignin said:

hedonist said:

I've seen plenty of rallies turn into riots here.

Those are the few that makes the news. Not the hundreds of other protests that don't turn violent.

True and the riots that do occur-- is anyone surprised? Racism and oppression continuing this many years after the Civil Rights Movement? I don't condone rioting or violence but really, it's no surprise some go into riot mode.

Surprised? Sometimes, I suppose. Always disappointed.

Either way, fucked up and - to me - inexcusable.

Care about your city and its citizens? Show it, don't destroy it.

Like I said, I don't condone rioting or violence. Understanding something is not the same as endorsing it.

Some people may not really like that kind of comment though. That's like saying I understand why Hitler killed thousands and thousands of innocent People. I know that's extreme example, but rioting and violence are not excusable regardless. And it furthermore results in much less sympathy for the black lives matter movement...

rgambs

Yes

Regarding the riots, I think some people are confused about what a community is... A community is a group of people working together, not a group of buildings in a geographical region.

dmaradona10

No

There is a picture I've seen recently of three black men. One is a lawyer, one is a cop, and one is in handcuffs. We have choices in this country with our lives. Racism on an individual level still exists on both sides. Governmental racism has not existed in this country for generations.

hedonist

rgambs said:

Regarding the riots, I think some people are confused about what a community is... A community is a group of people working together, not a group of buildings in a geographical region.

But those buildings are made of people, in a sense. They're businesses; the people employed by those businesses serve and often live within the community. Why destroy them and in the process hurt those people? The consequences aren't only monetary.

Go Beavers

Yes

dmaradona10 said:

There is a picture I've seen recently of three black men. One is a lawyer, one is a cop, and one is in handcuffs. We have choices in this country with our lives. Racism on an individual level still exists on both sides. Governmental racism has not existed in this country for generations.

You can say it exists on both sides, but there's no way whites face it at the same level blacks do.

Thirty Bills Unpaid

rgambs said:

Regarding the riots, I think some people are confused about what a community is... A community is a group of people working together, not a group of buildings in a geographical region.

I think some people are confused how destroying buildings and infrastructure affects a community of people.

Go Beavers

Yes

unsung said:

Welfare.

How's welfare connected to white privilege?

Thirty Bills Unpaid

PJ_Soul said:

rgambs said:

unsung said:

Right. But if I walk through a blm rally I'll be just fine, right?

Uh, yeah, probably. I've seen plenty of white folks at BLM rallies and they all seem to be just fine.

He (she?) thinks a rally and a riot are the same thing.

You'd have to forgive him for that confusion: they look an awful lot alike these days.

dmaradona10

No

Go Beavers said:

dmaradona10 said:

There is a picture I've seen recently of three black men. One is a lawyer, one is a cop, and one is in handcuffs. We have choices in this country with our lives. Racism on an individual level still exists on both sides. Governmental racism has not existed in this country for generations.

You can say it exists on both sides, but there's no way whites face it at the same level blacks do.

There are more white people in poverty then black in America. Many white people do face hardship in this country. Historically, blacks have faced racism not doubt about it. Things change.

brianlux

Yes

PP193448 said:

brianlux said:

hedonist said:

brianlux said:

dignin said:

hedonist said:

I've seen plenty of rallies turn into riots here.

Those are the few that makes the news. Not the hundreds of other protests that don't turn violent.

True and the riots that do occur-- is anyone surprised? Racism and oppression continuing this many years after the Civil Rights Movement? I don't condone rioting or violence but really, it's no surprise some go into riot mode.

Surprised? Sometimes, I suppose. Always disappointed.

Either way, fucked up and - to me - inexcusable.

Care about your city and its citizens? Show it, don't destroy it.

Like I said, I don't condone rioting or violence. Understanding something is not the same as endorsing it.

Some people may not really like that kind of comment though. That's like saying I understand why Hitler killed thousands and thousands of innocent People. I know that's extreme example, but rioting and violence are not excusable regardless. And it furthermore results in much less sympathy for the black lives matter movement...

A good example of why critical thinking is important. Knee jerk not liking what someone says is not critical thinking.

hedonist

FYI, my knees aren't jerking

brianlux

Yes

Then you understand I am not condoning violence. Great!

hedonist

I know you well enough to know you aren't, and wouldn't. Was just offering up my own thoughts like the rest of youse.

eddiec

Yes

dmaradona10 said:

There is a picture I've seen recently of three black men. One is a lawyer, one is a cop, and one is in handcuffs. We have choices in this country with our lives. Racism on an individual level still exists on both sides. Governmental racism has not existed in this country for generations.

Yeah, and the lawyer, the cop and the guy in handcuffs all probably faced hurdles that white men don't have to deal with. Nobody is saying if black people work hard they won't succeed.
The NFL really demonstrates this issue perfectly. Although the majority of players are black there are barely any black coaches. You think it's an even playing field when trying to get a head coach job? In college football it's even worse.

dmaradona10

No

eddiec said:

dmaradona10 said:

There is a picture I've seen recently of three black men. One is a lawyer, one is a cop, and one is in handcuffs. We have choices in this country with our lives. Racism on an individual level still exists on both sides. Governmental racism has not existed in this country for generations.

Yeah, and the lawyer, the cop and the guy in handcuffs all probably faced hurdles that white men don't have to deal with. Nobody is saying if black people work hard they won't succeed.
The NFL really demonstrates this issue perfectly. Although the majority of players are black there are barely any black coaches. You think it's an even playing field when trying to get a head coach job? In college football it's even worse.

What hurdles do black people face that other poor groups do not? The NFL already has requirements for interviewing diverse people for a coaching position. The NFL chooses who they feel is the right individual for the job. You expect them to just choose coaches based on race?

Empty Glass

No

If I may summarize...

If an African-American works hard he faced hurdles the whites never have
If an African-American breaks the law is in handcuffs, it's the white privilege that kept him down by making him jump hurdles.

If a white dude succeeds, we'll...how could the white dude fail?
If a white dude breaks the law and is in handcuffs he didn't use his privilege correctly.


Personally, I feel the term would be offensive to any African-American who works hard and becomes successful.

PP193448

I understand the concept of white privilege, but do not agree that it is as common today as it was obviously present in the past. I do not endorse racism.

eddiec

Yes

dmaradona10 said:

eddiec said:

dmaradona10 said:

There is a picture I've seen recently of three black men. One is a lawyer, one is a cop, and one is in handcuffs. We have choices in this country with our lives. Racism on an individual level still exists on both sides. Governmental racism has not existed in this country for generations.

Yeah, and the lawyer, the cop and the guy in handcuffs all probably faced hurdles that white men don't have to deal with. Nobody is saying if black people work hard they won't succeed.
The NFL really demonstrates this issue perfectly. Although the majority of players are black there are barely any black coaches. You think it's an even playing field when trying to get a head coach job? In college football it's even worse.

What hurdles do black people face that other poor groups do not? The NFL already has requirements for interviewing diverse people for a coaching position. The NFL chooses who they feel is the right individual for the job. You expect them to just choose coaches based on race?

But by that logic one would have to assume that black coaches can't do the same job as white coaches, hence the disparity.

PJ_Soul

Yes

PP193448 said:

brianlux said:

hedonist said:

brianlux said:

dignin said:

hedonist said:

I've seen plenty of rallies turn into riots here.

Those are the few that makes the news. Not the hundreds of other protests that don't turn violent.

True and the riots that do occur-- is anyone surprised? Racism and oppression continuing this many years after the Civil Rights Movement? I don't condone rioting or violence but really, it's no surprise some go into riot mode.

Surprised? Sometimes, I suppose. Always disappointed.

Either way, fucked up and - to me - inexcusable.

Care about your city and its citizens? Show it, don't destroy it.

Like I said, I don't condone rioting or violence. Understanding something is not the same as endorsing it.

Some people may not really like that kind of comment though. That's like saying I understand why Hitler killed thousands and thousands millions and millions of innocent People. I know that's extreme example, but rioting and violence are not excusable regardless. And it furthermore results in much less sympathy for the black lives matter movement...

? I understand why Hitler killed *ahem* ^^^ a lot of people. He was pretty open about why he did that. As Brian said, understanding something does not necessarily excuse it. But I guess you're more talking about empathy. Yeah, no empathy for Hitler. I do, however, have empathy for black protestors in America. I DO understand why they are so angry. I don't approve of violent protest, but I understand it AND I also "get" it. I think frustration is a very powerful thing, and I fully acknowledge that the extreme frustration is 100% justified. I wish that human beings didn't so often turn frustration into violence of course, but they do. What is making matters worse right now is that there is nobody leading this cause. There is no MLK-type of leader guiding or influencing all these people across the country towards a goal. BLM badly needs such a leader. One who can bring focus to this protest and who believes in peaceful protest/civil disobedience and encourages it in a constructive way.

Cliffy6745

Yes

While I sit at a philanthropy conference with about 1,000 other white folks, I am reminded that why yes, White privelege most definitely does exist.