Haha, that's what this whole thread and term "White Straight Male Privilege" is all about!
Being white is a privilege, says this PSA.
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Haha, that's what this whole thread and term "White Straight Male Privilege" is all about!
Captain Pants
Killed by a goddamned Dredgeling
My brother and I fought bitterly over this PSA. In his mind, there is some hivemind black cabal that coerced these people into recording this video, and that the time is right for the white man to rise up and fight against this kind of tyranny. I don't know how we were raised by the same loving parents, because he ended up totally racist.
I have specifically told posters in this thread to assume no guilt and only to acknowledge the fact that it exists. If you can't handle the fact of inequality then sorry, you're in the wrong topic. You're not concerned about the structure of my sentences, you're irritated about what I'm saying but won't retort for fear of retribution or banning. I have also admitted in this topic that I come from affluence, so stop trying to character assassinate.
If you're looking at the world through the eyes of a child, sure.
You can state something like this without being demeaning.
Ah, and you think pissing them off is productive? Or do you just think it's fun? The second I could get, the first not so much.
Red_Ragnarok
Banned
I didnt say that everyone suffers exactly the same way. Im saying that if white people are privileged, then it means that it would be easier for a white person to become successful than for an Asian person, even if other variables are the same for them while they are growing up.
Making a lot of money is related to the topic. Making money means you are successful career wise. If you are not privileged, it would be harder for you to become successful. What were you thinking about when you were talking about privilege then?
As an asian applying to med school.... Stop complaining.
can't read a long sentence? find something better to post about.
I feel for you. In sciences Asians are basically considered white.
What is this based on?
When police stop a person for random person on the treat for a frisk, you think their behavior is better explained by the wealth of the target than the race? Despite the fact that people of similar wealth tend to be in the same area?
And, of course, class and race are closely connected anyway. After all, if society puts more burden on certain members of society, then it makes sense that those members of society would be worse off financially than their peers....
To answer your question, I wasn't thinking of money at all. I was thinking of more important things like... not being in jail. (which does have something to do with money, in an indirect way. Hopefully when average/median salary is calculated, those figures omit people currently not making a wage because they are in jail.)
Second, you're making an assumption. even if other variables are the same for them while they are growing up. What if the other variables are not the same?
There could be many explanations of why Asians tend to make so much money. Maybe it's culture? Maybe it's uber selective US immigration rules? Both? None?
Honestly, I don't know. But the fact that Asians are generally more successful* doesn't mean that there is no white privilege.
*Btw, it's not my belief that success == money.
cutmeamango
Banned
I do not comprehend fully either, but I assume that it is an attempt to demonstrate how oblivious the majority (which happens to be white) is to these concerns.
As by being the dominant race, they contribute towards this segregation on all fronts, by having these minor misconceptions. Telling they are equal would only further their disinterest probably.
soul creator
Member
It's interesting how the phrase "all else being equal" doesn't seem to register for a lot of people when this topic is brought up. Or "controlling factors".
"Barack Obama has more advantages than Joe Wilson from Idaho! Take that, privilege theory!" isn't really a response...
"Barack Obama has more advantages than Joe Wilson from Idaho! Take that, privilege theory!" isn't really a response...
I mean it's whatever. If your GPA and MCAT arent there it really doesn't matter anyway, and thats the only attitude you can really have if you wanna get shit done.
Thank you.
Agreed wholeheartedly. Too many people seem to be confusing the two.
Exactly. It's really sad how the knee-jerk sentiment of the comments section of the PSA is really pouring over into this thread.
You are simply mixing issues together which guarantees you'll advance understanding in neither. There are all manner of ways a person can be privileged, but the sources of that privilege and their effects are what we are actually talking about and they aren't the same. They maybe intertwined in complicated ways like racial and wealth privilege are, but that does not make them all draw back to the same core problems.
I do agree that I think the ways people attempt to talk about the issue of "white privilege" is often flawed; it's not hard to understand why just taking a cursory glance at the amount of frustration and resentment involved in the system it stems from. That doesn't mean that trying to talk about it can't be productive, though.
JustProgress
Member
I don't get why coming from affluence has to do with anything, but fine by me. I do find it puzzling that your posts have an angry tone to them despite what you call only "acknowledging" the problem.
Acknowledged it more than twenty, make that thirty years ago. How far we've come.
Still I like that and can agree.
travisbickle
Member
being white is a privilege.
No, those are things you are adding on in order to self-martyr. Saying that white people hold privilege above others is a mere fact. Getting defensive about it, that's all you.
You hate yourself don't you?
It's a loaded term IMHO.
It kind of implies that our advantage needs to be nullified in a negative way. Like we should be harassed more by police, should get turned down for loans, should go to jail more.
I'd rather not see anyone harassed by police, for loans to be given fairly and less people in jail.
It kind of implies that our advantage needs to be nullified in a negative way. Like we should be harassed more by police, should get turned down for loans, should go to jail more.
I'd rather not see anyone harassed by police, for loans to be given fairly and less people in jail.
Wow, do you really think this?
Edit - I mean, don't you think it's more that those people want it to be nullified in the sense that they would be less affected, like white people?
Really? It can't even bring one semblance of appreciation? Or a good look at the bigger picture? How tiny of a box does someone have to live in to constitute nothing but hate spewing at the mere mention of privilege?
LaserBuddha
Member
You can give me an example of a situation when race is the biggest factor in how someone is treated, and that would make me wrong if my statement was "race isn't a factor, money is the only factor", when what I actually said was "money, fame, and attractiveness are bigger factors than race".
I'm done talking about this topic. The floor is yours.
I come from an affluent background, admittedly so, therefore you should not attempt to take shots at me on some "woe is me shit" because I don't suffer in the largest possible disadvantage: economic.
I am angry because people in this topic don't acknowledge or are subtly being provocative about "not upsetting people". I don't give a fuck about people getting upset when this truth is put in front of them.
When the state med school has a matriculation rate of certain minorities that vastly exceed the population of said minorities in the same year they publicly brag about the diversity of their incoming class, people may question things. This especially holds true when people acquire the scoring documents of the selection committee and see dozens of people leaped over.
JJDinomite
Banned
Sorry I was born white, guys. I'll try harder next time.
Fixed2BeBroken
Member
actually...being a straight white attractive female is probably the easiest of easy modes.
Liberty4all
Banned
They should call it white Boomer privilege. All the equal equity programs out there don't take jobs from white boomers to tip the scales. It's the younger white generation that's paying the price for our parents and grandparents years of locking out minorities. In Toronto where I live in believe the city is now 48 percent white and dropping fast, a combination of white flight, high immigration and a low white birth rate.
Speaking for myself its gotten to the point that in my industry if you are a white male you have to apply way out interest suburbs or even out of the city completely (where everyone is white) to actually have an "equal" opportunity when applying for work. A few years ago I helped with the hiring process at my agency... We were specifically told "no white males" (behind closed doors) ... In part to hit equal equity program targets and also because the clients we worked with were from a specific diverse culture and they wanted to hire somebody that represented the community better.
Over the years I've resigned myself to the fact that my "white privilege" closes as many doors as it supposedly opens at least when it comes to jobs. White privilege I feel is very much determined by the demographics of a city. I know when I travel through us cities I'm shocked at how many white people I see around me (feels weird compared to toronto).
Speaking for myself its gotten to the point that in my industry if you are a white male you have to apply way out interest suburbs or even out of the city completely (where everyone is white) to actually have an "equal" opportunity when applying for work. A few years ago I helped with the hiring process at my agency... We were specifically told "no white males" (behind closed doors) ... In part to hit equal equity program targets and also because the clients we worked with were from a specific diverse culture and they wanted to hire somebody that represented the community better.
Over the years I've resigned myself to the fact that my "white privilege" closes as many doors as it supposedly opens at least when it comes to jobs. White privilege I feel is very much determined by the demographics of a city. I know when I travel through us cities I'm shocked at how many white people I see around me (feels weird compared to toronto).
I laughed.
No one is coming to make sure you get looked at funny for your tipping habits. You don't have to worry about your property value dropping as soon as you move into your home or anything either.
The big point here is that you can acknowledge you get to play with a good hand most of the time. People don't want take your cards - they just want to make sure that they get to play with a good hand too at some point.
I'm (not) genuinely shocked that people get so defensive about the whole thing though.
Not really. Because people don't take you serious in an intelligent discussion if you look too good and if one of the good old boys decides to grab your ass and you choose to report it, they'll just say you wanted it because you're such a tease.
Bigger factors for what? Not being harassed by police?
For a random traffic stop, the only indication you have for wealth is probably the relative condition of the car that is being driven. Unless you have good vision, you probably can't tell exactly who the person is so fame doesn't count either.
But hispanics and blacks are still stopped sooo many times more than others. There was a gaf thread about this not too long ago, so I'll skip posting the statistic, since I'm lazy.
The thing is, you haven't posted anything that actually supports your position. That treatment in society correlates better with money than it does with race.
People have been posting statistics about 'black sounding names' and frisking throughout the thread.
It would be HUGELY controversial. it would get torn apart by all sorts of 'hollywood gay agenda' type potshots.
I'm not sure if this just being obtuse or what...
Death Dealer
Member
And so is having good looks. Ugly people get less respect and have worse economic opportunities, due to their bad looks. What's the difference between that and racial privilege ? Neither should really count when you make a first impression on the "trustworthiness" of a person, both are inherited traits that people have no control over. A great looking man of any race is seen as more honest and has more good will from the public.
Assuming everything else about them is the same, education, skills etc. I think an ugly looking white dude will have a rougher time finding a job than a handsome black dude. I actually think having great looks is more advantageous than white privilege.
Fixed2BeBroken
Member
eh? how old are you? you have it so wrong on so many levels...or have you not experienced corporate america yet? ive seen so many women destroy "good ol boys." HR can be no joke.
secondly, attractive white females have it so fucking easy. i mean seriously. SO easy. especially if they are smart to boot. only reason I know is cause I've worked with so many smart ones who play the game to their advantage. it seems so unfair sometimes the way they always get their way through manipulation, or playing dumb, or whatever etc. For example, You make a mistake....your ass is damn near fired. They make a mistake "oh, its okay its okay, you didnt know!"
of course, I'm just speaking from my experiences.
But what if you're black AND ugly?
OMG
(seriously, man? you're not serious, are you?)
Your response makes no sense. Could you please elaborate on whatever it is you're trying to say?
Red_Ragnarok
Banned
http://www.doc.state.ok.us/offenders/ocjrc/94/940650k.htm
I only briefly looked through this, but it doesnt seem like the incarceration rates are disproportionally high for Asians. In fact, they are low. Dont know if its reliable though; feel free to find another article if you think its not.
If we are talking about privilege due to race, all other variables need to be the same. How can you argue about privilege due to race without isolating the variable of race?
That's how I feel many white people feel when being accused of enjoying white privilege.
I don't know what metrics you're using to determine the quality of treatment in society, but surely stops by the police can't be the only one.
It certainly seems like the negative treatment of African Americans is based on the assumption that they're poor and possess all of the qualities associated with being poor rather than just the fact that they have black skin.
soul creator
Member
heliosRAzi
Banned
I... don't really agree. Just because you see a few women that manage to have guys in the office wrapped around their finger, it doesn't mean that the others don't see her as a bimbo who fucked her way to the top. That kind of stigma doesn't even exist for men. Its just one of many too.
You're missing the point....
I'm saying that the one who is not isolating the variables is you. You took a look at median salary or wealth and used that to dismiss white privilege. That doesn't make sense because that doesn't account for anything else besides race. Ie, that was IGNORING all other variables.
Likewise, that incarceration rate page you just gave me does the exact same thing.
Uhm. Why does it seem like that?
For example, if I take poor white people and just all black people, are you saying, on average, they would be treated pretty much the same?
And, to add, you'll see me referencing the police a lot. That's because police pretty much enforce the status quo on most accounts.
It is true, that for the frisking thing, I believe that the police did target poor communities more. But within those communities, blacks were targeted even more.... (I say this, assuming that there are more poor white people than black people, given the fact that there are tons of white people.)
LaserBuddha
Member
Popping back in... no one doubts that race is a factor in what hand life deals you. The only point being debated is that it is less of a factor than things like money, and thus we question the point of making race the focus in a statement about class in America.
I saw you respond to another poster making the same point above, and implying that the poster thinks race plays no part in it. The poster simply said that money overshadowed race. There's no need to extrapolate from that something as silly as "race has no bearing".
Just adding this with the hope that the strawmen won't get out of hand like they always do on GAF. You can have a useful discussion if people don't turn to "if you don't like this PSA then you think racism doesn't exist" nonsense.
Have fun!
RobotMafia
Banned
People assume I can't play basketball. Do you know hard it is to live like that? 
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