Check your privilege

[Shadow Wolf]

The white privilege thing is a complete joke -- whites in this country get nothing, but racism. Hate the young white men, and hate them good -- they cause all your problems! The feminists hate us, the black lives matter people hate us, the Muslims hate us, and so does everyone else! All being a white guy is good for is being hated by someone else!

I've never experienced any of that. I have gotten food stamps, and I even get a state-funded/socialist (just because I like throwing the word out there) state-health insurance that covers all of my medical bills. Not to say that I've never known a racist black person, but I've never had any problems socializing with black people because of my skin, I've never had any problems with women or feminists, and I've gotten along with many Muslims, both American and Middle Eastern, very well. What do whites get? Well, there have been a number of studies where "white-washed" job applications get calls more frequently than "non-white" applications, even though they are the exact same application (except for the name), for the same job. It's not assumed that white people are going to shop lift and cause problems like we see happening to black people. And because you're white, your racial narrative is dominate, it's the one that runs the nation, and you get to be blissfully ignorant to many things that are "in the face" of racial minorities.

 

[Laika]

I noticed that the first bit of questions were aimed at people who aren't white. But even though I am white I have been called racial slurs, I have been told I sound/act "very white," and people for some reason people like touching my hair (women more so than men - they especially like brushing it and styling it).

I find the "touching my hair" thing creepy. I realise there is some sort of peer pressure in the media which means the people try to "straighten" their hair because white people have straight hair because that is portrayed as what it "attractive". I admit realising your silently a product of a racist society and walk around with racial self-image is all rather jarring. Being White is something I take for granted and am blind to and that's the problem with it.

 

[SomeRandom]

For awhile now, and it is a social phenomenon. Two of the more apparent types of privilege where I live is how black people, though a sizeable portion of the population, are severely underrepresented in "higher" jobs, and white people are often surprised to meet a black person who speaks "plain" English, as if there aren't any white kids running around barely able to speak it. And with this being a Conservative state, of course homosexuals lead to all sorts of sexual deviance and transsexuals are a bunch of sexual predators, and such attitudes do shape the opinions of others.

I, personally, prefer the study of such a phenomenon that Evolutionary Psychiatrists are conducting upon it. Not that I disrespect Sociology, but I feel like a lot of the younger Sociological students are using this "privilege" more as a weapon of divide and conquer these days. I mean Buzzfeed can hardly be called a reputable source in the first place, but this Oppressed Olympics that this quiz proposes is exactly the type of application that is being pushed. Which I feel is wrong. We need to work together to help each other, not quarrel and divide ourselves into types of "privilege." I find it just bigotry trying to fight against bigotry.

I live in a highly Conservative state too. Staunch ally of the LGBTQI. As are practically everyone I know. Society can shape your ideals, absolutely. But you can think for yourself, if you so desire. I mean this is the age of information, after all.

They are. Encase you didn't notice, wealth is one of the points brought up in the questioning, such as "I have no student loans" (although that can also be a refection of time), and "I have never felt poor," or "I have never went to bed hungry."

To be fair, "Student loans" are more or less an American phenomenon. I mean we have student loans over here too, but they're usually not crippling like America's seem to be. And most Uni kids up to at least upper middle class, would be on Student Loans anyway. Maybe not the 1% sure, but they're still rich enough not to know what real poverty looks like.

I've known some "toffs" through the years. Not the 1% but certainly kids from very affluent families.
Many "rich kids" feel poor at some point. But it's a different feeling than those from lower income situations. I felt poor once because as a kid, my friends were all buying food for lunch at school everyday and I often had to deal with my parents trying to scrimp and save. But I am not poor, I am more middle class-ish. Never wanted for nothing in life. One of my cousins (not by blood but we grew up together) came from a household which was much more into the affluent lifestyle than I was accustomed to. She once commented that she "felt poor" because her father couldn't afford a bigger house (they already owned like 30 hectares and a huge house.)
My Indian friends, all from relatively high income situations, often told me they felt poor because their parents couldn't buy them their dream car or they had to travel in first class once instead of their jet or whatever whiny rich kid problem they were facing.
So the question is rather subjective and could theoretically apply to many different lifestyles, including those in the higher echelons.

"Never went hungry." I remember visiting relatives in Fiji as a kid, they had just gotten through a Coup, the country was a mess, people were starving and scared.
We went to Suva, one of the worst hit regions at the time. The family had no necessitates, no money, barely any clothes and were literally rebuilding their house. We were welcomed with a veritable feast and according to Indian customs it's considered very rude not to eat at someone's house, as it is considered extremely rude not to feed your guests. You could be starving yourself, but if you feed your guests then you have done your "duty."
And therein lies I think the biggest misnomer of the cause that Buzzfeed is trying to be an ally for. They claim to be all about celebrating multiculturalism, but I find they are ignorant of many cultural nuances that are outside of the Western paradigm. And indeed ignorant of differing scenarios outside of their favorite narrative.
I am from a relatively large Indian Community, residing in my home country. If you went hungry in any Indian's household, no matter what kind of income they were on, it's your own damned fault. I wouldn't be shocked to see an Indian homeless person at a shelter, trying to feed other homeless people. That's how culturally ingrained the idea is to feed others often is felt by some Indian people.

Oh and people stroke and touch my hair all the time. It honestly doesn't bother me too much because it's usually women. The only guys I allow to touch it are family or family friends. And again, it's one of those cultural things that occurs outside of the Western ideals (not always, some "whiteys" love touching my hair too.)

 

[Shadow Wolf]

Many "rich kids" feel poor at some point. But it's a different feeling than those from lower income situations. I felt poor once because as a kid, my friends were all buying food for lunch at school everyday and I often had to deal with my parents trying to scrimp and save. But I am not poor, I am more middle class-ish. Never wanted for nothing in life. One of my cousins (not by blood but we grew up together) came from a household which was much more into the affluent lifestyle than I was accustomed to.

Another point, it's an online quiz, which are pretty much universally dismissed as nothing serious but a fun way to pass a few minutes, but it seems people are taking this one seriously. The way it's worded, yeah, there are many problems and things open to interpretation, such as your feeling poor without actually being poor.

Oh and people stroke and touch my hair all the time. It honestly doesn't bother me too much because it's usually women. The only guys I allow to touch it are family or family friends. And again, it's one of those cultural things that occurs outside of the Western ideals (not always, some "whiteys" love touching my hair too.)

What the quiz was getting at was "nappy" hair (which is why I even brought it up in the first place, because my own hair definitely lives up to my Anglo-Celtic heritage), which is something white people have little experience with, so some of the obsess over it, to the point complete strangers ask to touch it and run their fingers through it. It's another shortcoming of the quiz, and why it's just a quiz, because generally white people are not the only white person in the room. It's more of a point to illustrate how such a thing such as skin color can be a mark of otherness, more so for white people who in many cases would not interact with many people who aren't white, compared to someone who is black who is going to interact with white people just about anywhere.

 

[SomeRandom]

Another point, it's an online quiz, which are pretty much universally dismissed as nothing serious but a fun way to pass a few minutes, but it seems people are taking this one seriously. The way it's worded, yeah, there are many problems and things open to interpretation, such as your feeling poor without actually being poor.

Well I suppose because this test is rather more of an indication of what many in the "anti SJW whatever" camp see as an awful symptom of a much bigger problem. The whole, we need to tell you, without knowing any of your personal struggles just how "privileged" you are. It's tiresome and has made plenty of enemies of even those who are allies to equality causes.

What the quiz was getting at was "nappy" hair (which is why I even brought it up in the first place, because my own hair definitely lives up to my Anglo-Celtic heritage), which is something white people have little experience with, so some of the obsess over it, to the point complete strangers ask to touch it and run their fingers through it. It's another shortcoming of the quiz, and why it's just a quiz, because generally white people are not the only white person in the room. It's more of a point to illustrate how such a thing such as skin color can be a mark of otherness, more so for white people who in many cases would not interact with many people who aren't white, compared to someone who is black who is going to interact with white people just about anywhere.

What is "nappy hair?" I don't understand.

Do you Americans often practice segregation, so to speak?
I have always rubbed shoulders with literally every other race imaginable growing up and even now on a regular basis. And I come from a mostly white neighborhood. Having said that, I have rarely seen any white people in Sydney whenever I go down there.

 

[Riverwolf]

Another point, it's an online quiz, which are pretty much universally dismissed as nothing serious but a fun way to pass a few minutes, but it seems people are taking this one seriously.

That's honestly what concerns me the most. Privilege, like so many other things, cannot be reduced to such a basic sliding scale. It's far too complicated.

 

[Shadow Wolf]

Well I suppose because this test is rather more of an indication of what many in the "anti SJW whatever" camp see as an awful symptom of a much bigger problem. The whole, we need to tell you, without knowing any of your personal struggles just how "privileged" you are. It's tiresome and has made plenty of enemies of even those who are allies to equality causes.

Those with power and advantages usually don't like being told about them.

What is "nappy hair?" I don't understand.

It's the thicker and curlier hair that is more common for those of a more recent African descent.

Do you Americans often practice segregation, so to speak?

Pretty much, and it's pretty common throughout the world.

 

[SomeRandom]

Those with power and advantages usually don't like being told about them.

Advantages? HA!
You know, I have Abo mates who get everything handed to them by the Government. And to be honest I say good luck to em!
But like if you're smart about it, you can pretty much gain as much advantage as you want. Preferably if you're non white or a woman. This spiel about being victims of oppressive power structures are told to us by people clearly too naive to play the game proper.
That's not to say there aren't unique social and racial issues in all societies, disadvantaging people and causing problems. But I don't know if this "privilege" thing actually addresses them properly.

That's another issue I have with the whole "power structure" dynamic. Yeah, some people have it easier than you for a myriad of reasons. That's no excuse for being a bludger just seeking to stir up trouble between the races.
I don't see a fight for equality, I see a vendetta style vengeance cast upon others for the sins of their forefathers. And I see jealousy.
There's little to no nuance, at least not that I've seen. But to be fair, that may just be an incidence of talking to students, who may not be applying these lessons properly yet, rather than actual professionals.

Perhaps I've just had some bad run ins.

"Oh you're fair skinned enough to pass for white. So you have white passing privilege."
"Umm, thanks random talking point that could easily pass for an actual sigh of relief from racist people living in the 1930s. Still doesn't keep me safe from racism, aimed at me from both sides though. But thank you for judging my entire character and for presuming my life is easier than yours based solely on the color of my skin, you racist."

"Aren't you just so upset that those people are using the Swastika so proudly? Such oppressive sentiments. I can't believe they would try to intimidate the neighborhood like this."
"Umm, they're white Hindus celebrating Diwali actually, you ignorant ****stick."

"Excuse me. But those clothes you're wearing? Yeah, those are Indian clothing and I think that it's extremely disrespectful to be wearing someone else's culture like a costume. Cultural appropriation is a really big issue right now."
"It's a Salwar Kameez, actually. If you want to presume to speak on behalf of another culture, I suggest you have the common decency to do at least a quick Google search on the actual culture. Hum Hindustani ladaki hai. (I am an Indian girl.) Gora chutiya (white ********/*****/idiot.)"

*Actual conversations I and my friends have had with "SJW activists."

I don't know. I just have seen far too many people snub the racists and achieve whatever the **** they want to, to take this "privilege" thing too seriously.
It may be a sociological phenomenon. But I just don't think it holds the power over us that the SJW activists claim it does.

It's the thicker and curlier hair that is more common for those of a more recent African descent.

Oh! Don't forget the PGN and Fijian natives!
Eh, go the fro. As we say over here.

Pretty much, and it's pretty common throughout the world.

I suppose tribal species will be tribal species. But that's not entirely on the "white man" either. I have noticed purposely put up walls on both sides.

 

[Shadow Wolf]

But that's not entirely on the "white man" either. I have noticed purposely put up walls on both sides.

I know it's not just white or black people. I just tend to use what is more common to me, such as how I tend to use the Klan as an example of a racist group given its presence and history here. I could have easily pointed at Japan as an example, or Africa, or the Middle East, or just about anywhere. But I tend not to, because the Japanese tendency of being highly exclusivist towards outsiders isn't something that is a part of my daily or regular life.

But like if you're smart about it, you can pretty much gain as much advantage as you want. Preferably if you're non white or a woman.

Yeah. That's why people who aren't white or women have everything handed to them and have such an easy time in life. How often are you groped and told that despite your protests that you "know you wanted it?" That's why black people (at least in America), especially young black men, are looked at as if they are thugs, while those screaming about sagging pants fail to realize that lots of white people do it (I've seen it plenty of times where the black men in the room had their pants up and only white people had theirs sagging).

It may be a sociological phenomenon. But I just don't think it holds the power over us that the SJW activists claim it does.

It's not just these "SJW activists" (something I've really only ever seen used as a pejorative term) who speak of this, and yes, it does hold power over people's lives. And it's not just studies, but a basic observation that people don't like being told about their advantages, they tend to stick to their own ethnicity, that the abilities and capabilities of women are often doubted,
Do these things apply to all? Of course not. But that's not the point. The point of the concept of social privileges isn't to say you are like this and this is how you are, but to illustrate social trends that are based on things such as ethnicity, wealth, sex, and other things. Such as, in the MidWest and Southern America, there is definitely a Christian privilege, and often it is socially acceptable to ridicule the non-believers while having an army of defenders to attack you (rarely physically attack) should you even consider challenging the Christian religion, in addition to being a Christian and having faith being considered the measuring stick of morality and good character while the word "athiest" in itself is used a derogatory term and accusation.
"Privilege" is really just an easier way to discuss stereotypes, assumptions, balances of power, false beliefs, and a number of other social problems. And not just problems, but the realization of how things are, such as how life and making money tend to be much easier when you come from money. It's bringing focus on how men are known for believing they have to "dumb down" an explanation so a woman can understand it. It's bringing up different things, such as sexual orientation, that can cost you your job.

 

[SomeRandom]

I know it's not just white or black people. I just tend to use what is more common to me, such as how I tend to use the Klan as an example of a racist group given its presence and history here. I could have easily pointed at Japan as an example, or Africa, or the Middle East, or just about anywhere. But I tend not to, because the Japanese tendency of being highly exclusivist towards outsiders isn't something that is a part of my daily or regular life.

Okay then, fair enough.

Yeah. That's why people who aren't white or women have everything handed to them and have such an easy time in life. How often are you groped and told that despite your protests that you "know you wanted it?" That's why black people (at least in America), especially young black men, are looked at as if they are thugs, while those screaming about sagging pants fail to realize that lots of white people do it (I've seen it plenty of times where the black men in the room had their pants up and only white people had theirs sagging).

You live in an area where sexual assault is legal? I'd sincerely consider getting pepper spray or moving!
Or are you talking about just clubbing life? In which case girlfriend, just punch the guy and call the cops. A little tip I picked up clubbing with my "scary" friends, a woman is involved in a fight with a man, the cops generally tend to lock up the guy instead of the lady. It's something of a "everybody knows that" scenario. At least where I live.

I don't know about your situation, but over here if you can prove that you have an ounce of Abo blood, like damn son. Party!
My best friend went to Uni for free on a Torres Straight Islander scholarship, by virtue of having Torres Straight Island blood. Which was interesting since she was already middle class and had more than enough money to successfully pay off HECS in a relatively short amount of time. (HECS are our version of student loans.)
Can I do that? Nope. Why? Because I'm not Abo.
Now obviously I'm not saying all Aboriginal people are bludgers, taking free hand outs from the Government. Many Aboriginal people are proud, hard working members of society looking for a chance and living their lives. And of course I am all for giving boosts to poor communities in order to help out people to get opportunities. Yada yada disclaimer disclaimer.

But it's a little hard to fully agree with the sentiment you're espousing when you witness your friends literally play the System and get handed Uni grants, cars and even housing for free simply for proving they have Abo heritage. Which they then boast about to you.

I've worked in retail for 7 years. If you walk into our store wearing baggy clothing or otherwise looking like you're a 90s gangster rapper, it don't matter if you're black, white, purple or spotty, we will treat you with the utmost suspicion. In fact a group of young WHITE people came into the store this afternoon wearing really grungy looking clothing and my manger quickly followed them without hesitation. Perhaps it is different where you live?

It's not just these "SJW activists" (something I've really only ever seen used as a pejorative term) who speak of this, and yes, it does hold power over people's lives. And it's not just studies, but a basic observation that people don't like being told about their advantages, they tend to stick to their own ethnicity, that the abilities and capabilities of women are often doubted,

Perhaps. But a little tact goes a long way. Simply accusing people, (something I have seen SJWs do often) of having white male privilege in order to silence or shame them in a debate is probably going to make people defensive. Just an observation.

So what? If your capabilities are doubted, you just prove the *****es wrong, mate. Although, another observation if I may? It is often the women doing the tearing down of other women far more frequently than society.

Do these things apply to all? Of course not. But that's not the point. The point of the concept of social privileges isn't to say you are like this and this is how you are, but to illustrate social trends that are based on things such as ethnicity, wealth, sex, and other things. Such as, in the MidWest and Southern America, there is definitely a Christian privilege, and often it is socially acceptable to ridicule the non-believers while having an army of defenders to attack you (rarely physically attack) should you even consider challenging the Christian religion, in addition to being a Christian and having faith being considered the measuring stick of morality and good character while the word "athiest" in itself is used a derogatory term and accusation.

I'm not arguing that they exist or don't exist. I'm not an expert in such a field. I am merely wary of the real world applications that are often pushed by certain individuals.

"Privilege" is really just an easier way to discuss stereotypes, assumptions, balances of power, false beliefs, and a number of other social problems. And not just problems, but the realization of how things are, such as how life and making money tend to be much easier when you come from money. It's bringing focus on how men are known for believing they have to "dumb down" an explanation so a woman can understand it. It's bringing up different things, such as sexual orientation, that can cost you your job.

What context is there for the assumption that men are known for believing they have to dumb down an explanation for a woman? In terms of discussing mechanics of a car? In which case, yes yes they do! There aren't that many females who are mechanics. That's just how reality is.
When discussing scientific procedure? Well perhaps the women they are talking to are not versed in a Scientific discipline?

And that's what makes me the most wary. There does seem to be a lot of assumptions when trying to "easily discuss" balances of power and the like. Perhaps we shouldn't easily discuss such things? Perhaps a better approach is to tackle all of it? Head on.

"Privilege" is often a loaded word. It might not have started that way, but it has been given such a connotation by the loudest voices on both sides. Evolution of English in action, I guess.

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

What the quiz was getting at was "nappy" hair (which is why I even brought it up in the first place, because my own hair definitely lives up to my Anglo-Celtic heritage), which is something white people have little experience with, so some of the obsess over it, to the point complete strangers ask to touch it and run their fingers through it.

Meanwhile, as a mixed person, I've had black girls/women obsess over my hair and want to touch it. Being mixed black/white gives you a rather unique window into both communities and you really see how screwed up both of them are. I, personally, am not into identity politics that much, especially of the racial sort. Class is the single biggest division in the world. I have far more in common with a poor redneck in the Deep South than I do with some rich black gay guy living in a Manhattan condo or with Caitlyn Jenner. Honestly, us poor folk - white, black, Latino, Asian, etc. - should band together and rob those types, instead of robbing other poor folk in our communities, if we have any sense.

 

[psychoslice]

I got 52, just what I want to be.

 

[Shadow Wolf]

I have far more in common with a poor redneck in the Deep South than I do with some rich black gay guy living in a Manhattan condo or with Caitlyn Jenner.

That's pretty much where I am. I've rubbed elbows with the rich, and being poor, I don't have the time or money for all the recreation they do, I don't have the personal trainers, and can't afford to take sick days off (not that I've ever actually had paid sick days or even just sick days). Even cooking in the kitchen of someone who is rich tends to be a different experience than the kitchen of someone who is even middle class. And going to college, I began to realize there is even a difference between those who have always been middle class and those who have been/are poor. And even before things like race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, before all those things it is that in my experience socio-economic class shapes people first, and people do often look down upon those who are in a lower spot. It's not necessarily looking upon them as cretins, but nevertheless there are somethings that are labeled as being for "poor people." And myself, I can say that I do have more in common with those deep South rednecks, and more comfortable with them passing out the beer and joints than I am around the wealthy sipping fine wines and toking in the shadows.

Honestly, us poor folk - white, black, Latino, Asian, etc. - should band together and rob those types, instead of robbing other poor folk in our communities, if we have any sense.

A "modern Robin Hood" would be pretty sweet! A pretty accurate analogy too, given the ultra wealthy have and are rigging the system to take every last cent they can from the working class and into their own pockets.

 

[freethinker44]

I noticed that the first bit of questions were aimed at people who aren't white. But even though I am white I have been called racial slurs, I have been told I sound/act "very white," and people for some reason people like touching my hair (women more so than men - they especially like brushing it and styling it).

Yep, me too. I didn't mark most of those questions. I've been called racial slurs, been the only member of my race at work, I've had strangers ask to touch my hair, etc...

 

[Brinne]

44. Mainly because of gender and sexuality and probably a bit because of religious views.

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

A "modern Robin Hood" would be pretty sweet! A pretty accurate analogy too, given the ultra wealthy have and are rigging the system to take every last cent they can from the working class and into their own pockets.

Indeed. I find it rather interesting how we classify hoarding as a mental disorder, when people hoard material items and clutter up their homes so much that it's unlivable, but hoarding money isn't viewed as a mental illness. These ultra-rich people have more money than they'll ever spend in their life and they buy up private jets, multiple homes and even private islands while millions of their fellow citizens are completely destitute:
http://www.twodollarsaday.com/
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/updates/poverty/

I'm so sick of the identity politics that have overtaken leftism in America. They stopped focusing on class, which was the primary concern of the Old Left, which united leftists throughout the world. All this racial agitation from both progressives and the right-wing is a distraction. I live in the hood. There's whites, blacks and immigrants here. Everyone's struggling just the same. Blacks use crack, whites use meth and we live right next to each other. Both black and white women are struggling single mothers. I don't really care about the Black Lives Matter movement just like I don't care about white racial grievances. Both have lost the plot. It's just a tool being used to divide the poor and the working class along racial/ethnic lines. It upholds the power structure which is crushing us all. Even back in the Jim Crow-era South, the upper class was lying to the white poor and working class and used them as a buffer to uphold the system, the same system which kept them impoverished. People on both sides are being used as puppets. Keep fighting amongst yourselves, idiots. (And, yes - many blacks are racist towards whites. The black side of my family hated white people, just like the white side of my family hated blacks - and both sides of my family were working class/poor and involved in criminal activities, lol. So go figure; I've had my problems with both blacks and whites, and so did my white mother.)

We need class consciousness now.

 

[VioletVortex]

I scored 52 out of 100. Honestly, I was quite disgusted by that quiz. I found it offensive, it was very racist and sexist.

 

[vaguelyhumanoid]

44 out of 100. A couple of the questions made no sense to me. For instance, how is it privileged for your parents to pay for your rent? To me that implies that one either can't afford to buy their own home/pay their own rent or else has some kind of disability or other life experience impairing their ability to live independently. I think that adults, especially young adults, who live independently are privileged.

I scored 52 out of 100. Honestly, I was quite disgusted by that quiz. I found it offensive, it was very racist and sexist.

I don't think you understand the concept of "privilege" then. Having privilege isn't an insult, and neither is lacking it.

 

[freethinker44]

44 out of 100. A couple of the questions made no sense to me. For instance, how is it privileged for your parents to pay for your rent? To me that implies that one either can't afford to buy their own home/pay their own rent or else has some kind of disability or other life experience impairing their ability to live independently. I think that adults, especially young adults, who live independently are privileged.

If your parents pay your rent you come from a wealthy family. It didn't say you live with your parents, it said your parents pay your rent. Living with your parents might not be a privilege, but them paying your rent definitely is.

 

[vaguelyhumanoid]

If your parents pay your rent you come from a wealthy family. It didn't say you live with your parents, it said your parents pay your rent. Living with your parents might not be a privilege, but them paying your rent definitely is.

That makes more sense, but it's still a little misleading without another box about whether you live with your parents as an adult. While we're at it, I feel like there are a lot of potential mental health questions they missed too, but I guess they were set on having an even 100.