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White Privilege

CM189191CM189191 Posts: 6,927
in A Moving Train
On any given day, in any given place in the United States, a person is less likely to be stopped and accused of committing a crime – whether they have committed one or not – if he or she belongs to a group that has historically been defined as white for a sufficient period of time in the United States. People defined as white are also are dramatically more likely to have benefits in terms of home ownership, access to quality education and an inheritance based on previous generations’ access to those privileges of whiteness. Almost no one – white or person of color—is individually asking to be privileged or oppressed. At the same time, understanding white privilege in the context of systemic racism and doing nothing about it constitutes colluding in exactly the way the system was set up to work.
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Comments

  • CM189191CM189191 Posts: 6,927

  • CM189191CM189191 Posts: 6,927


  • CM189191CM189191 Posts: 6,927

  • Halifax2TheMaxHalifax2TheMax Posts: 39,024
    But it doesn’t exist.

    https://www.cnn.com/2020/05/08/us/social-distancing-stats-nyc/index.html
    09/15/1998 & 09/16/1998, Mansfield, MA; 08/29/00 08/30/00, Mansfield, MA; 07/02/03, 07/03/03, Mansfield, MA; 09/28/04, 09/29/04, Boston, MA; 09/22/05, Halifax, NS; 05/24/06, 05/25/06, Boston, MA; 07/22/06, 07/23/06, Gorge, WA; 06/27/2008, Hartford; 06/28/08, 06/30/08, Mansfield; 08/18/2009, O2, London, UK; 10/30/09, 10/31/09, Philadelphia, PA; 05/15/10, Hartford, CT; 05/17/10, Boston, MA; 05/20/10, 05/21/10, NY, NY; 06/22/10, Dublin, IRE; 06/23/10, Northern Ireland; 09/03/11, 09/04/11, Alpine Valley, WI; 09/11/11, 09/12/11, Toronto, Ont; 09/14/11, Ottawa, Ont; 09/15/11, Hamilton, Ont; 07/02/2012, Prague, Czech Republic; 07/04/2012 & 07/05/2012, Berlin, Germany; 07/07/2012, Stockholm, Sweden; 09/30/2012, Missoula, MT; 07/16/2013, London, Ont; 07/19/2013, Chicago, IL; 10/15/2013 & 10/16/2013, Worcester, MA; 10/21/2013 & 10/22/2013, Philadelphia, PA; 10/25/2013, Hartford, CT; 11/29/2013, Portland, OR; 11/30/2013, Spokane, WA; 12/04/2013, Vancouver, BC; 12/06/2013, Seattle, WA; 10/03/2014, St. Louis. MO; 10/22/2014, Denver, CO; 10/26/2015, New York, NY; 04/23/2016, New Orleans, LA; 04/28/2016 & 04/29/2016, Philadelphia, PA; 05/01/2016 & 05/02/2016, New York, NY; 05/08/2016, Ottawa, Ont.; 05/10/2016 & 05/12/2016, Toronto, Ont.; 08/05/2016 & 08/07/2016, Boston, MA; 08/20/2016 & 08/22/2016, Chicago, IL; 07/01/2018, Prague, Czech Republic; 07/03/2018, Krakow, Poland; 07/05/2018, Berlin, Germany; 09/02/2018 & 09/04/2018, Boston, MA; 09/08/2022, Toronto, Ont; 09/11/2022, New York, NY; 09/14/2022, Camden, NJ; 09/02/2023, St. Paul, MN; 05/04/2024 & 05/06/2024, Vancouver, BC; 05/10/2024, Portland, OR;

    Libtardaplorable©. And proud of it.

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  • CM189191CM189191 Posts: 6,927
    Halifax2TheMax said:
    But it doesn’t exist.

    https://www.cnn.com/2020/05/08/us/social-distancing-stats-nyc/index.html
    If they would just follow the rules....
  • cincybearcatcincybearcat Posts: 16,445
    This is sad but true.

    i do wonder though, each of these cases involve different police officers, different areas. I wonder how much is straight up racism and how much is based on past experiences of the police officers?


    hippiemom = goodness
  • static111static111 Posts: 4,889
    Thanks for starting this thread.  I predict angry people denying any basis of privilege.  However the ideal and purpose of this thread is fact based and needs to be shared.
    Scio me nihil scire

    There are no kings inside the gates of eden
  • Jason PJason P Posts: 19,138

  • SpunkieSpunkie Posts: 6,672
    Don't you mean to say White, Male, Privilege?
  • F Me In The BrainF Me In The Brain Posts: 31,266
    Well, women of color might take exception to the idea that white women should be excluded.


    The love he receives is the love that is saved
  • Glorified KCGlorified KC Posts: 2,672
    He won the lottery...
    I wish I was a sacrifice, but somehow still lived on.
  • brianluxbrianlux Posts: 42,033
    Guilty as charged. 


    “The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man [or woman] who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.”
    Variously credited to Mark Twain or Edward Abbey.













  • brianluxbrianlux Posts: 42,033
    And in case anyone misunderstands the song, read on, please!

    “The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man [or woman] who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.”
    Variously credited to Mark Twain or Edward Abbey.













  • CM189191CM189191 Posts: 6,927
    edited May 2020
    tish said:
    Don't you mean to say White, Male, Privilege?
    Ok, Karen.  Would you like to speak to the manager?
    /kidding

    How about White, Male, American privilege?

    Those could be 3 separate threads! 
    Post edited by CM189191 on
  • CM189191CM189191 Posts: 6,927
    brianlux said:
    Guilty as charged. 


    Yay music!
    https://youtu.be/63uC5z1uuGw

  • brianluxbrianlux Posts: 42,033
    CM189191 said:
    brianlux said:
    Guilty as charged. 


    Yay music!
    https://youtu.be/63uC5z1uuGw


    :plus_one:
    “The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man [or woman] who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.”
    Variously credited to Mark Twain or Edward Abbey.













  • hedonisthedonist Posts: 24,524
    Is it privilege or racism?  Maybe it's not an either/or question?

    Being white, should I personally feel guilty about others' perceptions of me?  Why or why not?

    As a woman, should I not?  As a Jew, should I not?  Etc.....

    Is it the so-called birthright itself or those who afford others (even themselves) that?

    The mindset behind it, the rationale one might use.

    I'm honestly trying to think of times when my race trumped my character.  Perhaps someone else made that assumption of (non)entitlement?

    Got all these questions...too many, sometimes.

    (As to education and inheritance - on my own there.  The latter would've been nice, but life happens.)
  • CM189191CM189191 Posts: 6,927
    hedonist said:
    Is it privilege or racism?  Maybe it's not an either/or question?

    Being white, should I personally feel guilty about others' perceptions of me?  Why or why not?

    As a woman, should I not?  As a Jew, should I not?  Etc.....

    Is it the so-called birthright itself or those who afford others (even themselves) that?

    The mindset behind it, the rationale one might use.

    I'm honestly trying to think of times when my race trumped my character.  Perhaps someone else made that assumption of (non)entitlement?

    Got all these questions...too many, sometimes.

    (As to education and inheritance - on my own there.  The latter would've been nice, but life happens.)

    White privilege is a product of structural racism. That doesn't mean that people who benefit from white privilege are necessarily racist.  But those who refuse to admit it exists it or take advantage of it are complicit in supporting structural racism, maintaining the status quo.

    At least you have these questions. You are having this internal dialogue with yourself. That in and of itself is at least an acknowledgment that white privilege does exist. 
  • CM189191CM189191 Posts: 6,927


  • static111static111 Posts: 4,889
    CM189191 said:


    🤦
    Scio me nihil scire

    There are no kings inside the gates of eden
  • Halifax2TheMaxHalifax2TheMax Posts: 39,024
    That lower right photo sure does define “protection from home evaders.” I’ll bet he sleeps with it. Or at least keeps it under his pillow.
    09/15/1998 & 09/16/1998, Mansfield, MA; 08/29/00 08/30/00, Mansfield, MA; 07/02/03, 07/03/03, Mansfield, MA; 09/28/04, 09/29/04, Boston, MA; 09/22/05, Halifax, NS; 05/24/06, 05/25/06, Boston, MA; 07/22/06, 07/23/06, Gorge, WA; 06/27/2008, Hartford; 06/28/08, 06/30/08, Mansfield; 08/18/2009, O2, London, UK; 10/30/09, 10/31/09, Philadelphia, PA; 05/15/10, Hartford, CT; 05/17/10, Boston, MA; 05/20/10, 05/21/10, NY, NY; 06/22/10, Dublin, IRE; 06/23/10, Northern Ireland; 09/03/11, 09/04/11, Alpine Valley, WI; 09/11/11, 09/12/11, Toronto, Ont; 09/14/11, Ottawa, Ont; 09/15/11, Hamilton, Ont; 07/02/2012, Prague, Czech Republic; 07/04/2012 & 07/05/2012, Berlin, Germany; 07/07/2012, Stockholm, Sweden; 09/30/2012, Missoula, MT; 07/16/2013, London, Ont; 07/19/2013, Chicago, IL; 10/15/2013 & 10/16/2013, Worcester, MA; 10/21/2013 & 10/22/2013, Philadelphia, PA; 10/25/2013, Hartford, CT; 11/29/2013, Portland, OR; 11/30/2013, Spokane, WA; 12/04/2013, Vancouver, BC; 12/06/2013, Seattle, WA; 10/03/2014, St. Louis. MO; 10/22/2014, Denver, CO; 10/26/2015, New York, NY; 04/23/2016, New Orleans, LA; 04/28/2016 & 04/29/2016, Philadelphia, PA; 05/01/2016 & 05/02/2016, New York, NY; 05/08/2016, Ottawa, Ont.; 05/10/2016 & 05/12/2016, Toronto, Ont.; 08/05/2016 & 08/07/2016, Boston, MA; 08/20/2016 & 08/22/2016, Chicago, IL; 07/01/2018, Prague, Czech Republic; 07/03/2018, Krakow, Poland; 07/05/2018, Berlin, Germany; 09/02/2018 & 09/04/2018, Boston, MA; 09/08/2022, Toronto, Ont; 09/11/2022, New York, NY; 09/14/2022, Camden, NJ; 09/02/2023, St. Paul, MN; 05/04/2024 & 05/06/2024, Vancouver, BC; 05/10/2024, Portland, OR;

    Libtardaplorable©. And proud of it.

    Brilliantati©
  • brianluxbrianlux Posts: 42,033
    edited May 2020
    CM189191 said:
    hedonist said:
    Is it privilege or racism?  Maybe it's not an either/or question?

    Being white, should I personally feel guilty about others' perceptions of me?  Why or why not?

    As a woman, should I not?  As a Jew, should I not?  Etc.....

    Is it the so-called birthright itself or those who afford others (even themselves) that?

    The mindset behind it, the rationale one might use.

    I'm honestly trying to think of times when my race trumped my character.  Perhaps someone else made that assumption of (non)entitlement?

    Got all these questions...too many, sometimes.

    (As to education and inheritance - on my own there.  The latter would've been nice, but life happens.)

    White privilege is a product of structural racism. That doesn't mean that people who benefit from white privilege are necessarily racist.  But those who refuse to admit it exists it or take advantage of it are complicit in supporting structural racism, maintaining the status quo.

    At least you have these questions. You are having this internal dialogue with yourself. That in and of itself is at least an acknowledgment that white privilege does exist. 

    Hedo's questions are well taken and worthy, and your comments, CM, make good sense. 

    I'm curious as to what prompted you to start this thread and what you hope to achieve through it.  And, if you don't mind answering, I'm curious as to your personal take on white privilege and from what cultural perspective does your thinking come (i.e., are you white?).

    My own feeling is that I recognize the privileges afforded me as a white male.  No doubt about it. 

    I also recognize that as a while male, I have been on the receiving end of bias and prejudice.  I believe being attacked in an attempted "knock out game" by a young black man who was with a small group of other young black men was a racially motivate hate crime (I was lucky- that attack did not knock me out or kill me, but the pain was intense and following the attack,  I had to lay down tread and drive like Mario Andretti to get myself, my wife, and my step daughter out of harms way.)  (See Minor Threat song and article above.)  In the past, I've also received bullying for being a nerd, a pacifist, and even, to a small degree a few times, for being half Amish.

    The consequences of bias and hate can come and go in many directions. (See Minor Threat song and article above.)

    “The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man [or woman] who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.”
    Variously credited to Mark Twain or Edward Abbey.













  • ICDragonsICDragons Posts: 39
    I absolutely acknowledge the existence of white privilege, and my own benefit from it, but I question my taking advantage of it as stated by CM189191. I even wonder if I should show gratitude or be grateful for my winning of the so called lottery.  The pendulum shall swing and maybe next time the privilege will be saved for others unlike myself. 

    Threads like this creep me out. I post as if I need to tell the world I’m a good socially aware being. But if I question I probably come off as a troll. 

    It’s definitely a concept that to me is obvious but to some is ridiculous or absurd. 

    The goal imho is to educate people without making them feel like you are attacking them or blaming them for the past. Maybe not writing them off as deplorable morons or inherently bad people. Cultural change is no small feat.


  • hedonisthedonist Posts: 24,524
    ICDragons said:
    I absolutely acknowledge the existence of white privilege, and my own benefit from it, but I question my taking advantage of it as stated by CM189191. I even wonder if I should show gratitude or be grateful for my winning of the so called lottery.  The pendulum shall swing and maybe next time the privilege will be saved for others unlike myself. 

    Threads like this creep me out. I post as if I need to tell the world I’m a good socially aware being. But if I question I probably come off as a troll. 

    It’s definitely a concept that to me is obvious but to some is ridiculous or absurd. 

    The goal imho is to educate people without making them feel like you are attacking them or blaming them for the past. Maybe not writing them off as deplorable morons or inherently bad people. Cultural change is no small feat.


    Apparently you don't just CDragons, you C common sense too ;)

    Well said, especially the last part.
  • brianluxbrianlux Posts: 42,033
    ICDragons said:
    I absolutely acknowledge the existence of white privilege, and my own benefit from it, but I question my taking advantage of it as stated by CM189191. I even wonder if I should show gratitude or be grateful for my winning of the so called lottery.  The pendulum shall swing and maybe next time the privilege will be saved for others unlike myself. 

    Threads like this creep me out. I post as if I need to tell the world I’m a good socially aware being. But if I question I probably come off as a troll. 

    It’s definitely a concept that to me is obvious but to some is ridiculous or absurd. 

    The goal imho is to educate people without making them feel like you are attacking them or blaming them for the past. Maybe not writing them off as deplorable morons or inherently bad people. Cultural change is no small feat.



    I'll second Hedonist's comments.  What you say makes good sense, ICD.  And no, you do not come off as a troll, not at all. 
    “The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man [or woman] who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.”
    Variously credited to Mark Twain or Edward Abbey.













  • ICDragonsICDragons Posts: 39
    I find it’s a lot easier to see examples in my past. Which I admit is convenient for me when questioning my roll in taking advantage of the privilege. 

    The task at hand is to see examples in the present. Acknowledge, and try to bear witness for those who will listen.
  • vaggar99vaggar99 Posts: 3,427
    protecting white privilege is the American way
  • ICDragonsICDragons Posts: 39
    It’s definitely been that way in the past and definitely that way for some but if one is American then their way IS the American way too and I believe we don’t have to subscribe to that detrimental narrative anymore. The New American Way!! 

    Sorry for the ranting.
  • brianluxbrianlux Posts: 42,033
    ICDragons said:
    It’s definitely been that way in the past and definitely that way for some but if one is American then their way IS the American way too and I believe we don’t have to subscribe to that detrimental narrative anymore. The New American Way!! 

    Sorry for the ranting.

    Yeah, I don't think there is AN American Way.  There are many ways.  The way of social justice, of fairness, of a cooperative and inclusive spirit, and a recognition of past failures (genocide of Native peoples, slavery, racism), and the desire to move forward is an American Way that is gaining favor with many today. 
    “The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man [or woman] who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.”
    Variously credited to Mark Twain or Edward Abbey.













  • gimmesometruth27gimmesometruth27 Posts: 23,303
    white privilege is never having to say you are sorry.
    "You can tell the greatness of a man by what makes him angry."  - Lincoln

    "Well, you tell him that I don't talk to suckas."
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