An interesting question concerning White privilege.

[Epic Beard Man]

Are whites living in Korea or Qatar or Kenya or Costa Rica also the beneficiaries of white privilege? If not, then how does "whiteness" enter into it? Or is this just another "damn America for all its evils" argument, made by those who seem to hate this country while enjoying the benefits of living here and who, despite their discomfort, seem unwilling to emigrate?

Whites are beneficiares of privilege because internationally they are perceived differently with positive regard than their black counter-parts. I think most whites against the concept of white privilege are still ignorant of the idea of white privilege. Being privilege does not mean you gain currency like money cause you are born white, it is something you have not earned but have.

For example, I cannot go to India in the hopes of marrying an Indian. Many indians whose complexion is like mine are against it and perceive my ethnic group in a negative light. Whites are perceived different. They are perceived to be successful where as Africans and African-Americans are not.

This is but one example of many.

 

[Epic Beard Man]

The concept of white privilege is chiefly used as a tool by the left to mine resources from the dominant group. One never hears about "Asian privilege." In the US, Asians make more money and are at lower risk of adverse life outcomes than any other group. There's no outrage because Asians are such a small proportion of the population, they don't represent a mineable resource. Further, take a look at non-native Nigerian household income. An immigrant population, and their mean household income is higher than native whites. Nigerian-Americans have low divorce rates and seem to value education and hard work. To be quite frank, those are not cultural attributes I see in the native African-American population. There's pretty good evidence that disadvantaged groups can overcome poverty in a generation or so.

Apparently you are ignorant of white privilege. This wall of nonsense is evident.

 

[Epic Beard Man]

To tell you honestly since I live with such a majority who are white, black, blue, and green I see it more as cultural differences rather than skin color. For example, I'm dark skinned.

Curious, what is your ethnicity?

 

[Willamena]

I was wondering if it is a white privilege not to feel a push, by people of the same racial make up, towards favoring someone of the same race, based on their race.

I don't think that being pushed by social forces is a privilege at all.

 

[Curious George]

I don't think that being pushed by social forces is a privilege at all.

I was referring to the lack of push by social forces as privilege, not the push.

 

[Revoltingest]

I was referring to the lack of push by social forces as privilege, not the push.

Have we yet figured out what the usefulness is of telling white
folk about their "privilege", & that they should check it?

 

[Unveiled Artist]

Curious, what is your ethnicity?

African American (mixed mutt of a breed more than likely)

I live further up north closer to the big apple city. Most of the people here are from latin america, mexico, and other like areas.

 

[Curious George]

Have we yet figured out what the usefulness is of telling white
folk about their "privilege", & that they should check it?

Discussing privilege is an important exercise to better understand how different constructs such as race interact with society.

As far as telling people to check their privilege, I believe it is a meme of sorts. A catchy slogan that people latch in order to try to relay a complex message in a simple manner.

But propaganda aside, the topic is both relevant and worthy of discussion. Wouldn't you agree? Why or why not?

 

[Revoltingest]

Discussing privilege is an important exercise to better understand how different constructs such as race interact with society.

As far as telling people to check their privilege, I believe it is a meme of sorts. A catchy slogan that people latch in order to try to relay a complex message in a simple manner.

But propaganda aside, the topic is both relevant and worthy of discussion. Wouldn't you agree? Why or why not?

I've yet to see any value in what appear to be accusations & lectures about privilege.
Generally, it's from people oblivious to their own, but highly conscious of others'.

 

[Curious George]

I've yet to see any value in what appear to be accusations & lectures about privilege.
Generally, it's from people oblivious to their own, but highly conscious of others'.

Sounds like you are frustrated with people making accusations. I was very clear in the OP that I was not discussing privilege that an individual has. I was discussing privilege that a group has only as a group, this is not something that the individuals necessarily have as members of that group therefore I can not make accusations.

 

[Revoltingest]

Sounds like you are frustrated with people making accusations.

I might be if they were made towards me.
But they don't.
There are 2 possible reasons....
- As a certified progressive, I'm immune.
- People find my response intolerably annoying.
Any guesses?

I was very clear in the OP that I was not discussing privilege that an individual has. I was discussing privilege that a group has only as a group, this is not something that the individuals necessarily have as members of that group therefore I can not make accusations.

You were quite reasonable & clear.
But the thread meandered a bit, & I thought it time to ask.

 

[Epic Beard Man]

African American (mixed mutt of a breed more than likely)

I live further up north closer to the big apple city. Most of the people here are from latin america, mexico, and other like areas.

Based on your background why do you hold the views you have concerning being black or of that background?

 

[Unveiled Artist]

Based on your background why do you hold the views you have concerning being black or of that background?

I was raised in two different areas. Outside my intermediate (mother is a military brat), the rest of my family identify as black or african american.

Whats interesting is when I talk with "black" people on the buses, say I mention a person he may know, and he ask, "was he white?" Identity of culture seem to take on color of skin language. Probably because of history and pride of upbringing. I dont relate to a lot of family and "black" strangers but not alienated from the culture.

I actually dont like the term african american. I saw the transition from, I think it was black to the politically correct term. I guess they kept it ever since. People around my age up north use nga instead of the 'er viety. I travel around state a lot.

This was before predominately latin americans, mexicans, and spanards come here. It was strickly black and white.

 

[Epic Beard Man]

I was raised in two different areas. Outside my intermediate (mother is a military brat), the rest of my family identify as black or african american.

Whats interesting is when I talk with "black" people on the buses, say I mention a person he may know, and he ask, "was he white?" Identity of culture seem to take on color of skin language. Probably because of history and pride of upbringing. I dont relate to a lot of family and "black" strangers but not alienated from the culture.

I actually dont like the term african american. I saw the transition from, I think it was black to the politically correct term. I guess they kept it ever since. People around my age up north use nga instead of the 'er viety. I travel around state a lot.

This was before predominately latin americans, mexicans, and spanards come here. It was strickly black and white.

Well your background is interesting and it gives me a better picture as to why you believe the way you do. As you've said you don't relate to a lot of family (I'm assuming your black side) however you're not alienated to the culture which I understand. For me, I identify as African-American. I'm American by birth but have African ancestry that is why African-American exists. I am black but I don't use the term due to the fact that in its literal sense, my skin is brown, not black. I don't use the term "American" solely because in this country I haven't been made to feel completely American. Society has made me aware of the color lines without me opening my mouth. I'm sure, in the South you'll be made aware of the color lines as well. As my mother used to say regardless of your status at the end of the day "you are still a "n***a." I'm not sure how old you are but you have a lot to learn about African diaspora.

 

[Unveiled Artist]

Well your background is interesting and it gives me a better picture as to why you believe the way you do. As you've said you don't relate to a lot of family (I'm assuming your black side) however you're not alienated to the culture which I understand. For me, I identify as African-American. I'm American by birth but have African ancestry that is why African-American exists. I am black but I don't use the term due to the fact that in its literal sense, my skin is brown, not black. I don't use the term "American" solely because in this country I haven't been made to feel completely American. Society has made me aware of the color lines without me opening my mouth. I'm sure, in the South you'll be made aware of the color lines as well. As my mother used to say regardless of your status at the end of the day "you are still a "n***a." I'm not sure how old you are but you have a lot to learn about African diaspora.

Wow. I agree. My mother told us "you're not black, youre brown!". She was raised in part in Iran where the only differencd she remembered as a child was wearing a burka. Not racism she encountered until she came back to the states.

I kinda get what you mean. I have family down in Georgia, Alabama, SC, etc and the culture is a hard contrast. VA is considered a southern state but they call us northerners nonetheless.

Since I dont know exactly where we came from in Africa (all my family were slaves, weirdly enough), I just say american. But like you, they want the race part even though Amerian is a nationality just as everyone else who was born in X country and identify with the nation in which they were born.

I heard of African Dispora when I looked into Santeria one time couple years back. Other than the religious side to a small extent, Im not familar. But, yeah, if I said I was n' in any sense of the term, that would give my mother a heart attack.

Im 37.

 

[Augustus]

Have we yet figured out what the usefulness is of telling white
folk about their "privilege", & that they should check it?

It's main usefulness seems to be as a case study in how to communicate as ineffectively as possible.

It is quite a challenge to phrase something that most people agree with (opposition to discrimination), in a manner that causes active hostility towards your message from people who latently support the same goals.

 

[sandy whitelinger]

Now I understand that some of you think of privilege as something concrete an individual has. But for the purposes of this discussion privilege is a statistical advantage that is found in a group.

I was wondering if it is a white privilege not to feel a push, by people of the same racial make up, towards favoring someone of the same race, based on their race.

Thoughts?

Could you throw "race" into your sentances a few more times? Then I'd be thouroughly confused.

 

[Curious George]

Could you throw "race" into your sentances a few more times? Then I'd be thouroughly confused.

That is a shame. I honestly thought that would be enough to get you. Looks like I need to work on my calculations.