LogFAQs > #886246926

That_Happened posted...

thanosibe posted...

Not all white people benefit from being white

I'd say there are specific situations where being white doesn't give you specific benefits, but generally white people (in America at least) benefit from being white. It's almost never an overall negative. I grew up in an area that was majority hispanic and while I got occasional hatred from other students at school, the teachers were always great to me, and I was almost never hassled for my race by anyone other than kids. When my family later moved to a majority white area, I definitely wasn't at a disadvantage because of my skin (obviously).

Well in your example in life, that's because all races are capable of hate, bigotry and/or racism. Children or adults. So anyone can be a victim no matter their skin color. And being the minority in a group whether you be white in a minority of another race, can cause those xenophobic feelings in people. I too grew up into my mid 20's as a racial minority, even my race isn't a minority in this country. I was many times treated with the same racism my friends received just by association to them. So no, I had no privilege in those instances. I was treated with disdain and consider guilty until proven innocent just like my friends were.

As I said above, it less about if there is indeed rampant white privilege, and it is how to address the issue. White privilege accusations aren't working. We're taking steps back in racial gaps because it's becoming negative. You might and probably can get people to understand that they may have advantages if you address in a manner that assumes you really want to make progress and just not try and make people feel bad for their skin color. Because well, that's what a lot of other races have felt in America's history.
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I think I need a drink. Almost everybody does only they don't know it. -- Charles Bukowski