Quotable Quote of the Month

What does it take for Republicans to take off the flag pin and say, 'I am just too embarrassed to be on this team'?".- Bill Maher

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

White Privilege: Myth or Reality


I teach several Sociology courses both online and on several campuses in the Dallas area. In my introductory sociology courses around the middle of the semester, lo and behold, it is race and ethnicity time! On many levels this is good because it opens up dialogue and addresses the disparities that exist in the United States. Inevitably some of the students get very emotional and defensive and I tend to become a mediator/negotiator, rather than a facilitator of learning.

Rather than speak in vague examples, allow me to provide a case in point classroom experience. Last semester I had a class of around 30 students, which is relatively large by Texas standards. The class was actually a nice mixture of racial and ethnic backgrounds, which included several African American, White, and Latino people. Surprisingly the class even had a Korean, Japanese, a Filipino, an Indian (from India) and a native of Kenya. On this particular day after I completed the Power Point presentation, I opened the floor for discussion by asking how many students in the class had ever been followed around a department store by a clerk. Of course all of the African Americans, the Kenyan and several of the Latino students raised their hands. Oh! and one lone White woman.

This woman, who is a very intelligent, sophisticated, and articulate, compared her experiences of being followed around in a store with the discrimination that minority people face on a daily basis. She actually told the class that she has been followed around stores when she was dressed in jeans and sneakers, ala “Pretty Woman”. I then pointed out, quite nicely, that also like Julia Roberts, she could put on nice clothing and change her image back to an upstanding White woman. There is nothing that can be done to change skin color or ethnicity. Why do people who feel defensive sometimes tend to get the shovel out and dig a deeper hole for themselves?

She was not finished, she became defensive and came with the old cliché that ”one of her best friends” is an African American who has done quite well in life and agrees with the sentiment that most African Americans do not make the most of the opportunities afforded them. At this point I am about to explode, I am sweating profusely, and seeing red. I regained my composure in order not to start uttering profanities and expletives that could cost me my teaching position (I have a mortgage). I ask the other students if there was anything wrong with the image she was trying to project. Fortunately, several of the students (some White) admitted that everyone in America does not have access to the “American dream”. White privilege exists and I do not say this to lay blame. I am just pointing out the facts.

The conversation between the students became heated after that. Here is where my mediator skills come in to play because regardless of my position on a subject I cannot allow students to decimate each other. The Asian students and the lone African remained mute during the discussion because they had not really experienced what it is like to live for a lifetime with such blatant discrimination. I would be amiss if I did not acknowledge that others have suffered some grave injustices. I have visited Indian Reservations and I realize that much of Texas and California once belonged to our neighbors south of the border. As my uncle Imohtep would say "the point I am trying to make is this" there is such a condition as White privilege (click the link to read more). What do you good people think?

~Pamella, AKA pjazzy~

26 comments:

Marvalus said...

My granny always used to say that you can't judge a man unless you have walked a mile in his shoes...it is very easy to put Black folks in a box and say that they haven't taken advantage of the opportunities given to them...but what of those that don't have opportunities? What about those who are in low-income housing, with below average schools, and no jobs? Where is their American dream?

I'm all for fighting your way out, but we have to take into account fighting twice/three times as hard for something that is available to someone else without half the effort.

The Rock Chick said...

Personally, I think that anyone who would say something like that woman did in your class is an idiot.

I totally believe that White Privilege exists. I don't know if it's because I live in such a diverse area that I don't think about it or being white makes me somewhat unaware of it. I'm not sure, but you sure have got me thinking!!! Some of the things on that list though, sound more ignorant than privileged, but that's just my opinion. All individuals have different ideas and perceptions.

The one thing that bugs me across the board, though, is when anyone uses whatever race or religion they are as an excuse for bad behavior. When I worked at the police station, it seems as almost every traffic stop, arrest, etc. was because they were black or Indian or Jewish or Muslim.

My husband (who has a German surname) stopped a car doing 80 in a 35 zone once. The driver, who was Jewish, came into the police station and filed a complaint against my husband that the only reason he stopped him was that he was Jewish. That kind of stuff really bothers me. Ok, end of my rant!!!!

Mr.Bobby(A.K.A. scorpionbbb50) said...

Hello PJAZZY I`m very impressed with your resume,I work in the school system now but for 30yrs. I worked at a childrens facility with all racial back grounds I enjoy listening to how people(of Euro Decent)try to tip toe around using certain words when in large diverse groups discussing racial issues ie;you guys,or as you mentioned well one of or my best friend is colored/black lol I usually am a calm person but one time we were talking during the O.J. trails(if it dont fit you must acquit)and this guy kept talking about how they let us come into the country and so on and we always are doing something to show we arent grateful for the opertunities they give us ie;school,jobs, housing but the thing that p.... me off was he was so dumb to the fact that he didnt realize he was just a flat out racist(from out in the country clio I think it was and it took another euro to get him straight yet he never admitted it I have this book on African history my brothers turned me onto titled African Origin Of Civilization myth/reality by Cheik Anta Diop(Diop pronounced Jop)it my bible these days because it tells of allthe things you never read or i didnt get in grade or high school so i let this guy read it he had it for about a month didnt want to give it back we at work pitched in and got him a copy of it lol he was a change person from then on wow the power of educating each other because I have some racist views at time but I admit it its getting better as i get older i just turned 50 so...ok later my neice I`m proud of how you let General Motors work for you not you work to the death for G.M. love your uncle Bobby (aka scorpionbbb50)

pjazzypar said...

I know Marvalus! I mean a little over 100 years ago it was illegal for us to read! Now some of us have been able to rise above our circumstances. The people down in South Oak Cliff or Web Chapel (the low income, underprivileged areas in which African American and Latinos in Dallas) are quite simply economically and educationally behind White people. It don't take a rocket scientist to figure out that not everyone is in a position to attend college. Those of us who are fortunate enough to attend need to at least mentor others who are less fortunate. Working with adolescent substance abusers puts me in a position to do that.

RC, I agree that being a minority does not give you a pass to behave badly. Your husband is probably a good police officer who does his job in an appropriate and respectful fashion. It is the bad officers like the ones who continually beat Rodney King, murdered Malice Green or more recently, Oscar Grant, and the host of terrible abuses that have been perpetuated by those under the color of the law.

Hey Uncle Bobby, I know you are calm and I am usually the opposite. I usually don't hear those kinds of blatantly ignorant (racists) statements. First of all nobody let us do anything, we have worked very hard to get where we are. Those of us who have been able to strive, have done so at the cost of blood, sweat, and tears. I was watching a special on the History Channel last night and it was pointed out that the White House was built almost exclusivity by the labor of Africans. How fitting that Obama and family will be in residence.

I heard of the Diop book and will have to give it a read. Years ago when I first moved to California, my first class was an African American History class. We had a guest speaker who spoke quite eloquently about Timbuktu and the universities that were in existence in Africa before the civilization of Europe. Anyhow I digress...thanks for stopping by uncle (love You) and enjoy this wonderful, beautiful, and historic day.

Robert said...

hey pjazzy- my dad was a cop in new jersey during the time of the newark riots 1968 sure was a turningpoint year and i know alot of racial incidents occurred then as well as officers who only saw one color human I am much like the rock chick in that i havent seen white privilege carried out as far as i know but i may just have been unaware most of all the people i have been around have not been prejudiced or racist but i have come across those who were and it was really crazy to me to hear them disply their bigotry I would like to hear from you and the other contribtors on here in a post what you think can be done about the *white guilt syndrome* and how that fosters problems between african anericans and caucasians very excellent post here pjazzy

RunningMom said...

I think that a lot of white people don't think about white privledge because they don't have to.

I think that they get defensive because somehow now that they know about it, they must be guilty of it - not so.

However, once you realize and become aware of it, it does become your job to increase the awareness so that things of this nature are no longer acceptable or tolerated.

Talking about it and blogging about it creates awareness, I'll be back!

clnmike said...

it's a funny subject.

Do you blame white people for benifiting from it even though they did nothing to make it this way or do you give them a pass?

I am all for making white people understand why they benifit from this but what can they do if they dont even recognize it half the time?

pjazzypar said...

Hey Robert, I appreciate your input on this most touchy subject. I hear you about not seeing white privilege carried out, but most White people don't because they don't have to. A mentor and college professor I had in graduate school said that she made sure that her nieces and nephews know that being white has definite privileges. Of course it is no one person's fault that things are the way they are, but we need to recognize and rectify whenever we can. Thanks for stopping and providing your input. Please come back now ya hear!

Running Mom, you are absolutely correct, they don't have to think about it! There is no need to be guilty or defensive, but as you say, they should recognize it and increase awareness of what is really going on. Thanks for visiting, stick with us because this is going to get interesting.

clnmike, I don't blame "White" people for the way things are, at least not in the way you might think. I don't blame anyone for the past, but the present is another situation entirely. I just want it to be known that if you follow me around in a store, you will lose my business, if you disrespect me in anyway, I will not put up with it (those who know me know what I mean). And if you sit around talking about what you gave us or what you allowed us to do or how we don't work hard enough on bettering our own circumstances, I will point out how wrong they are without mincing words.

D.J. said...

I have to agree with Runningmom. There is no reason for you to think of your privilege when you don't even realize you are benefiting from it.

I got into a very heated back and forth with another group i belong to after the second (I think ) debate when McCain referred to President Obama (I just love saying that) as "That One". When I told them that was offensive all the white members told me i was being sensitive.
I then asked them to then explain to me the black gay man who had been on the receiving end of racism my whole life what racism was.
I think when people are open to listening you can have conversations like this. I think the student in your story had already decided how the world worked and she was happy with that view, that is what upset everyone. IMHO

Lori said...

Nice piece, PJ. Wouldn't it be great if folks were willing to move beyond the "if it doesn't directly affect me, it must not exist" mentality? But I suppose that would require some to admit they've been walking through life with blinders on (smile).

Anonymous said...

1) It makes sense that one might not seen white privilege if one is white and not looking for it. That is the point; a large part of the privilege consists in *not* having to worry about certain problems. There are also privileges, for example, to being male, young, etc. I might walk down a lonely street at 11pm because I am a young guy, fairly large (I'm actually kind of a wussy if you tried anything, but from far away I don't look like a soft target). An older man or a woman might be in danger, and they would have to take that into account and figure out a way around it. Same with race issues. It is not a matter of blaming anyone. It is a matter of becoming more atuned to these dynamics, so that we can all work together to (a) understand each other a little more and (b) change things for the better.

2) PJazzy. Have you ever assigned your students the book "Black Like Me" (by a guy who chemically changed his white skin to black and lived as a "black" man for a few months in the 1950s/1960s south)? Viewing the issue through a (thoughtful) white person's lense might be a useful way to open some of the white students to the idea of privilege in a way that rendered them less defensive, leading to a better discussion. I guess it is annoying/ironic to have to cater to your white students when teaching about privilege (!) but it might help everyone have a more productive experience.

Anonymous said...

PS- PJazzy, forgot to say thanks for the interesting post!

pjazzypar said...

Hey Random White Guy, I read "Black Like Me" as a teenager and of course I saw the film. I have not assigned the book, but that would take the class in an interesting direction. Unfortunately I can't even most of them to read the text, let alone, some outside readings. Thanks for the idea though. I might use it as an extra credit assignment for those who actually want to get the most out of the educational experience. Thanks so much for visiting and for your insights.

Judi said...

Thank you for your post. I am a white female who recognized what was happening for me and not for others but I didn't know how to articulate that until I heard Robert Jensen speak on the topic and give it a name. Some of his articles can be found at http://uts.cc.utexas.edu/~rjensen/articles_race.html. That's the wonderful and most basic thing about being a teacher - open that person's mind and/or provoke a thought or a conversation and/or name something that didn't exist to them before. One may choose not to accept it but they can never go back to where they once were.

pjazzypar said...

Thanks for your comments Judi. You hit the nail on the head, regardless whether the students agree with you or not, an introduction to something new has come about. Future change might be affected. Funny you should mention Robert Jensen because he was an intricate part of the classroom conversation. Again thank you for commenting and providing the link to Jensen's articles.

Malcolm said...

To me, it's clear that white privilege is a reality. Your student's feeling that her experiences of being "trailed" are the same as a minority's are mind boggling.

Discussions such as this and the one you had in your class are very important. Maybe it won't convince someone that white privilege exists, but hopefully it will at least open their minds to the possibility that it does.

pjazzypar said...

Hey Malcolm, like you said, I am not trying to really convince anyone that privilege exist, I just want to plant the seed and hopefully they will become more aware. I just want students to check out their environment and maybe do some research independently.

bransom said...

Good topic Pam!

I must commend you on your professionalism and not letting that Robinson come out in you! :-)

First let me say that White Privilege does exist...our last president was a prime example of this. Need I say more about that?

This is only one facet of what White Privilige is but it is an important one...being GIVEN things and oppurtunities because of who your "daddy" is.

Now, as an African American myself...I can say that I have been afforded opportunites because of who my father is. I think everyone has had a little help along the way...but the difference is what did my father/ancestors have to endure to get what they have.

Historically, white people have owned and controlled everything. Not to say that some white people are not poor or have not had to struggle, because I know better.

But those who have had control intend on keeping that control by passing it on to "their own". It is inevitable.

We as a people...are hardly GIVEN anything. If we are given something, we need not get attached to it.

pjazzypar said...

Hey Bea, I am not my cousin Gloria :-) We definitely stand on the shoulders of those you have come before us. However, our individual struggles have been our own. As you mentioned there are those who have never accomplished anything but they have an affluent parent who offers them every advantage (privilege).

I like what you said about not getting too attached to what is given because he who giveth can certainly taketh away! Thanks for stopping by cuz.

Josh said...

I have a somewhat unique take on this -- well, maybe it's not so "unique," but it's definitely what I feel to be as impartial an opinion as there can be.

I'm a white man, about to turn 29-years-old, and unless I had chosen to educate myself, I would snub my nose at "white privilege" and call everyone paranoid. However, I know that it does exist.

My opinion, which I believe to be truer every day, is that white privilege is less to do with racism in 2009 and more about sheer numbers. Morever, "numbers" have always played a part in the root cause in America.

I won't speak on the African-American, Latino/Spanish, Asian, or other other ethic side - I'll only speak for myself as a Caucasian:

I'm agnostic and believe in evolution. This already disqualifies my opinion in some circles. Through the hundreds of thousands of years people evolved, we began to separate into tribes and into different areas. This is obvious, hence our skin tones based on climate over a prolonged period.

I believe we're genetically programmed on some levels to feel more comfortable - to feel at home - with people who "look" like us. We know how this can go bad, but we've also seen how it can go very well.

What's America, like 68% Caucasian? (Malcolm, get in here and correct this number if I'm wrong lol)And African decendants are pushing around 12%? ... yeah, obviously there's "white privilege."

I don't blame the young girl who likened her situation to that of another "race." She couldn't know, but she seems to try to know. And like it or not, that's a start.

The little boy wit the cleft palate might have more cause to be socially shy, but that doesn't mean the girl with the broken nose isn't embarrassed in public as well.

A lot of us - no matter our race - weren't born into racism. We were born into stories and the aftershocks of a horrific earthquake that nearly shook loose the foundations of an entire country.

White privilege will exist in a place where whites outnumber other "races," the same as black privilege or Latino privilege would rise up in other places (some parts of Mexico and Africa).

Unfortunately, that's the way of the world. Both whites and blacks are singled out in places like Bangkok, and it's no mystery why.

I'll stop rambling on this:

My grandparents came here from Ireland and Italy respectively during the early 1900s and were ran out of upstate New York by the British who had staked claim to the land.

I grew up on welfare in a rundown shack on food stamps and went to the most horrific schools and wore garbage from the thrift store. I've been categorically profiled based on class and understand fully that white privelege does not extend to all whites.

There's a club out there, and although it's infinitely easier for whites to get in, not all can.

pjazzypar said...

Josh, Thank you for your articulately honest response to a hard statement, especially for Caucasians, who sometimes get defensive about subjects such as this. People of African descent in America hover right around 12% as you suggested. Being agnositic definitely does not disqualify your opinion. I appreciate your willingness to risk unpopularity by divulging such personal information.

Your statement that there is a varying degree of privilege among Caucasians is well taken. Not all White people are easily accepted, but as you stated, "it is infinitely easier for white". I really appreciate your comments.

Josh said...

No, thank you. I appreciate the warm reception.

Normally I wouldn't come right out and say that I'm agnostic, but I thought it needed to be said since I was making a point of "hundreds of thousands of years." I've been in heated debates with Christians over that point. Anyway, that's not important :)

I definitely know what you mean about the whole defensive thing. Personally, I embrace the chance to cross the lines, as it were, and talk about "racial" issues.

The only guess I really have about people getting defensive is that the term, "white privilege," actually sounds as if all white people are given an indefinite debit card from birth. Know what I mean?

Obviously, I know that's not how it's intended. But it can easily sound crude and condescending.

As I'm writing this, I'm reading a very good comment from Marvalus, stating: "but we have to take into account fightig twice/three times as hard for something that is available to someone else without effort."

In the neighborhood I grew up in - dirty white Irish - that sounds like something one of us (regular poor white kids) would say to other privileged white kids (the preppies with their daddy's money).

I know more than a few dudes who would get defensive about hearing "white privilege," because they don't know what privilege is. They've scratched and clawed and spend too much time making ends meet to examine racial issues.

Anyway...

I look forward to reading future posts on the blog :)

Alisha Gray said...

Great article. I linked it in my discussion of 'white privilege',that is within my blog...

'http://blogs.myspace.com/alishamgray'.

Thanks,

Peace And Blessings

Anonymous said...

Pjazzy, where are you? There's a troll on the loose...

To "Anonymous"...you need to educate yourself on certain issues before you start talking about minorities.

pjazzypar said...

Troll indeed! I will not respond to ignorance. Bring a informed philosophy to the table and we can discuss it, otherwise keep it pushing.

Anonymous said...

There are a lot of white people who also don't have access to the "American Dream." You completely fail as a teacher because you refuse to look at actual facts and instead continue to indoctrinate your students with the idea that because things are a certain way for a small percentage of people with a similar skin tone, the whole system must be skewed towards that skin tone.

You are a racist and are doing nothing to further society. "White Privilege," if it does exist, is just another form of segregation, only this time instead of being government regulated, it's perpetuated by black culture.

People are not out to get you. Instead of telling everyone that white people hate you, that you need special programs just to have a chance, and that you will most likely be shut out of opportunities because of your skin color; why not tell the truth? It will probably give everyone more confidence and then people will actually succeed on their own merits.

There is a privileged class of people in this country, and it does happen to be based on color.

The color green.