For those who still can’t grasp the concept of white privilege, or Who are constantly looking for some easy-to-understand examples of it, perhaps this list will help. White privilege is when you can get pregnant at seventeen like Bristol Palin and everyone is quick to insist that your life and that of your family is a personal matter, and that no one has a right to judge you or your parents, because ‘every family has challenges,’ even as black and Latino families with similar ‘challenges’ are regularly typified as irresponsible, pathological and arbiters of social decay. White privilege is when you can call yourself a ‘fuckin’ redneck,’ like Bristol Palin’s boyfriend does, and talk about how if anyone messes with you, you’ll ‘kick their fuckin’ ass,’ and talk about how you like to ‘shoot shit’ for fun, and still be viewed as a responsible, all-American boy (and a great son-in-law to be) rather than a thug. White privilege is when you can attend four different colleges in Six years like Sarah Palin did (one of which you basically failed out of, then returned to after making up some coursework at a community college), and […]
Saturday, September 20th, 2008
This is Your Nation on White Privilege
Stephan: I am increasingly concerned about racism in America, greatly reduced to be sure - consider how many popular iconic personalities are African Americcan - but in some quarters still potent and passionate. This is first of two essays in today's issue, that I think represent the salient issues. This first report would seem preposterously polemic, were it not for the report which follows it.
What particularly stands out for me is that between 15-19 per cent of voters, when approached by a stranger, are willing to admit that race is a consideration in their voting. I just can't imagine how one feels o.k. looking at a stranger and saying, whether proudly or sheepishly: yes, I vote by skin color.
Thanks to Rick Ingrasci, MD for the Wise essay.