Does white privilege exist in the US?

Does white privilege exist in the US?

  • Yes

    Votes: 83 69.7%
  • No

    Votes: 36 30.3%

  • Total voters
    119

Ken-1122

Newbie
Jan 30, 2011
13,574
1,790
✟225,690.00
Faith
Atheist
Marital Status
Private
I never said Trump hated black people.
That comment was more so directed at those who hate him; not you
You can believe you are superior to someone without hating them. Still, I believe the guy. Trump paid out a substantial fine for discriminating against blacks in his rental units. The agent was supposed to put a certain mark on black people's applications.
The lawsuit against Trump (still his fathers company at the time) was against all the buildings of the entire block and since the Trumps had buildings on that block, they were a part of the lawsuit. They settled out of court not admitting wrong.
That Jesse Jackson Trump alliance was all about money. Look deeper into it. Trump is not a philanthropist. His foundation was busted for all kinds of fraud.
I’m just saying if he was racist against blacks, I doubt he would have been a part of Jackson’s Rainbow Coalition.
 
Upvote 0

OldWiseGuy

Wake me when it's soup.
Supporter
Feb 4, 2006
46,773
10,981
Wisconsin
Visit site
✟960,122.00
Country
United States
Faith
Protestant
Marital Status
Single
Politics
US-Others
Just take one sociology class and you will learn why the poor stay poor. Do you think a person with college-graduate parents has a better or worse chance of going to college than a person who's parents have no education?

My mom and dad lived under segregation and I'm a Genx'er. It wasn't all that long ago. Many many people are still alive who marched with Dr. King. Did an entire nation change its culture 180 degrees in one generation? Racism has now been erased from the face of the Earth? Cool

What stops many blacks is the same thing that stops many poor whites. bad neighborhoods, bad schools, bad relationships, and bad role models. An uneducated person can not educate another person. Life gets messy for many children who did not ask to be born in a messed-up situation. The gifted, talented, and driven people get through it but many don't rise above their challenges.

Blacks here have made tremendous progress in the last 60 years, likely the greatest ethnic minority success story anywhere in the world.
 
Upvote 0

rturner76

Domine non-sum dignus
Supporter
May 10, 2011
10,484
3,582
Twin Cities
✟724,721.00
Country
United States
Faith
Catholic
Marital Status
Single
Politics
US-Green
I’m just saying if he was racist against blacks, I doubt he would have been a part of Jackson’s Rainbow Coalition.
Money is green. I'm sure many people do business with people they would prefer not to socialize with.

Speaking of Trump.......How do you think things would have played out at the capitol if for example Farrakhan (Is he still living?) or Al Sharpton whipped up a BLM-motivated group to storm the United States Capitol Building.

It's just speculation but would the response have been the same do you think? Black folks running up and down the capitol floor? I think it would have been a much more violent response. That's the privilege. Being given that benefit of the doubt.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Pommer
Upvote 0

rjs330

Well-Known Member
CF Ambassadors
May 22, 2015
22,261
5,984
64
✟333,246.00
Faith
Pentecostal
Just take one sociology class and you will learn why the poor stay poor. Do you think a person with college-graduate parents has a better or worse chance of going to college than a person who's parents have no education?

My mom and dad lived under segregation and I'm a Genx'er. It wasn't all that long ago. Many many people are still alive who marched with Dr. King. Did an entire nation change its culture 180 degrees in one generation? Racism has now been erased from the face of the Earth? Cool

What stops many blacks is the same thing that stops many poor whites. bad neighborhoods, bad schools, bad relationships, and bad role models. An uneducated person can not educate another person. Life gets messy for many children who did not ask to be born in a messed-up situation. The gifted, talented, and driven people get through it but many don't rise above their challenges.

I've worked with the poor for 35 years, so I know why the poor stay poor. And I did take sociology classes in school.

Racism hasnt been erased and we all know that.

We also know that individual choices drive our success. You can be from a lousy neighborhood and still be successful. You can go to a bad school and still be successful. You can come from a bad home and still be successful. My wife came from such miserable poor circumstances and yet she was successful.

There is nothing that prevents you from studying hard and getting good grades even in a crappy school. You don't have to look at rotten role models. If you want out of a bad neighborhood then go to school get an education and move on and become the role model for others.

No it's not easy. And yes it can be very hard. I won't go into details, but my wife lived in a miserable circumstance. She had no good role models. If she had food on the table she was lucky.

What I see far to often is people telling others "it's too hard for you. You have it so rough. Blacks can't succeed because America is such a racist country. Yet 40% of African American Households are middle class. There are 21% of African Americans in poverty as compared to 12% of the rest of the population.

Which means blacks can move out of poverty. All I hear from the left and democrats is how bad they have it and how hard it is and how America is so racist. All that does is tell blacks they can't. Where are all the leftists and democrats who are telling them they CAN. Where's all the black leaders tell the to go to school, get and education? Where are all these democrat leaders showing ways out of poverty? The message is a continuing whine fest and how we have to have white people pay to get them help. Like whites are the great white hope riding to their rescue. It's degrading. And quite frankly if coming from white people it's racist.

Black people are smart, capable, and just as good as anyone else. They don't need saving. They need people to stop telling them they're victims and start pointing the way to success. They can live anywhere they want, and work any job they want and become whatever they want to be. Grab ahold of the opportunity this great country affords and run with it.

And that goes for poor whites as well.
 
Last edited:
Upvote 0

rjs330

Well-Known Member
CF Ambassadors
May 22, 2015
22,261
5,984
64
✟333,246.00
Faith
Pentecostal
Many if not most are profitably employed in these and other professions. It's the persistent subculture that can't seem to move upward. What is needed is for middle and upper class blacks to make greater efforts to lift their brothers out of poverty.

For example there are scarcely more than three dozen black owned banks whose intent is to provide capital for business and other loans to the black community. Their combined assets are a paltry $5Billion. In the past some have failed because of fraud, others are or have been under investigation. Because of this most well-off blacks shun these banks. When it come to interracial financial matters there is great distrust within the black community. This problem must be solved if blacks are going to build the capital needed for progress, in all their areas of need.

I don't know that it's their responsibility to lift anyone out of poverty. I think it's more their responsibility to show them and tell them they can do it too. By pointing the way and encouraging them to go for it, it would be better imo. The message is more powerful if it is guided with real help. And when I say real help I mean real valid guidance. Here is how you do it stuff. Teach a man to fish.

The successful blacks have paved the way, they know what to do and how to do it. They need to be the voices heard instead of the current crop who is telling the black community how they just can't because we are all a bunch of racist bigots. They'll never make it cause the white man is holding the down. If only we can make the white man pay then we can achieve. That's totally degrading to the black community.

No they CAN. 40% of them are in the middle class right now. So mobility is certainly possible.
 
  • Agree
Reactions: OldWiseGuy
Upvote 0

Ken-1122

Newbie
Jan 30, 2011
13,574
1,790
✟225,690.00
Faith
Atheist
Marital Status
Private
Money is green. I'm sure many people do business with people they would prefer not to socialize with.
How do you suppose Trump could have possibly made money by joining Jesse Jackson's team Operation Push?
Speaking of Trump.......How do you think things would have played out at the capitol if for example Farrakhan (Is he still living?) or Al Sharpton whipped up a BLM-motivated group to storm the United States Capitol Building.

It's just speculation but would the response have been the same do you think? Black folks running up and down the capitol floor? I think it would have been a much more violent response. That's the privilege. Being given that benefit of the doubt.
If BLM stormed the capital building unarmed and once inside, they leave without further incident? I think the same thing would have happened. What do you think?
 
Upvote 0

rturner76

Domine non-sum dignus
Supporter
May 10, 2011
10,484
3,582
Twin Cities
✟724,721.00
Country
United States
Faith
Catholic
Marital Status
Single
Politics
US-Green
There is nothing that prevents you from studying hard and getting good grades even in a crappy school.
How about Fetal Alchohol Syndrome?
What I see far to often is people telling others "it's too hard for you. You have it so rough. Blacks can't succeed because America is such a racist country.
I don't know who is saying this but I don't many people are saying black CAN'T succeed unless they are bigoted.. I think the argument is more like "poor people have challenges, there are a lot of poor black neighborhoods, people in poor black neighborhoods have challenges." How you overcome your challenges in important. How/where do we learn how to meet challenges or overcome obstacles? I learned the hard way by first making mistakes and learning what NOT to do. It's not an excuse to give up on your life but not everyone easily overcomes their challenges I think is the point.
All I hear from the left and democrats is how bad they have it and how hard it is and how America is so racist.
That's all you hear or that's all you hear on a thread about white privilege or American politics?. You said yourself racism is real, why do you acknowledge racism but believe it is not an obstacle to anyone? It doesn't have to be an obstacle if you have the tools/skills to overcome it. It is still a stumbling block.
Where's all the black leaders tell the to go to school, get and education?
Most have been assassinated or imprisoned. The rest are politicians. Who goes to church still, who stays married? The leaders should be in the home.
The message is a continuing whine fest and how we have to have white people pay to get them help. Like whites are the great white hope riding to their rescue.
So is exposing racism now called whining? Is paying taxes now called "white people giving them help?"E="rjs330, post: 75878855, member: 377008"]It's degrading.[/QUOTE]I agree, it is degrading when people think that way. Is reporting sexual harassment whining? Yup, I went there. Both issues have laws.

And quite frankly if coming from white people it's racist.
RIght again
Black people are smart, capable, and just as good as anyone else. They don't need saving. They need people to stop telling them they're victims and start pointing the way to success.
You're hired. When can you start?
They can live anywhere they want, and work any job they want and become
So no more need for the Civil Rights law on housing discrimination because it doesn't occur anymore.
Grab ahold of the opportunity this great country affords and run with it.
Now I'm motivated to go backto school.....All I needed was for someone to tell me I had the option. Thanks! :clap::oldthumbsup:
 
Upvote 0

rturner76

Domine non-sum dignus
Supporter
May 10, 2011
10,484
3,582
Twin Cities
✟724,721.00
Country
United States
Faith
Catholic
Marital Status
Single
Politics
US-Green
How do you suppose Trump could have possibly made money by joining Jesse Jackson's team Operation Push?
Let's go with your version. He did it for his love of the black community. You know he "for the blacks" right? Nothing more to say really.
If BLM stormed the capital building unarmed and once inside, they leave without further incident? I think the same thing would have happened. What do you think?
It would depend on the BLM group. You are still stuck on that white lie that all BLM groups are violent. BLM groups do peaceful protests all the time. Nice doge on the actual question though.

Personally, I speculate they would have got the dogs out.
 
Upvote 0

OldWiseGuy

Wake me when it's soup.
Supporter
Feb 4, 2006
46,773
10,981
Wisconsin
Visit site
✟960,122.00
Country
United States
Faith
Protestant
Marital Status
Single
Politics
US-Others
I don't know that it's their responsibility to lift anyone out of poverty. I think it's more their responsibility to show them and tell them they can do it too. By pointing the way and encouraging them to go for it, it would be better imo. The message is more powerful if it is guided with real help. And when I say real help I mean real valid guidance. Here is how you do it stuff. Teach a man to fish.

The successful blacks have paved the way, they know what to do and how to do it. They need to be the voices heard instead of the current crop who is telling the black community how they just can't because we are all a bunch of racist bigots. They'll never make it cause the white man is holding the down. If only we can make the white man pay then we can achieve. That's totally degrading to the black community.

No they CAN. 40% of them are in the middle class right now. So mobility is certainly possible.

Most of the negativity comes from within their own ranks.
 
  • Agree
Reactions: rjs330
Upvote 0

Ken-1122

Newbie
Jan 30, 2011
13,574
1,790
✟225,690.00
Faith
Atheist
Marital Status
Private
Let's go with your version. He did it for his love of the black community. You know he "for the blacks" right? Nothing more to say really.
It is my understanding Jesse Jackson and Donald Trump used to be friends back in the day (Trump used to be a democrat) perhaps he did it for his friend.
It would depend on the BLM group.
I’m talking about a BLM group that immediately ceased hostility as soon as they gained access; like those who stormed the Capital Building did
You are still stuck on that white lie that all BLM groups are violent.
What have I said to give you that impression? Or are you just making stuff up about me since you struggle refuting anything I say.
BLM groups do peaceful protests all the time.
Thank-you Captain Obvious! (like I didn’t know that) In case you didn’t know, planes take-off and land safely all the time, and guns are shot all the time without killing anyone
Nice doge on the actual question though.
I’ve dodged nothing; I said the response would have been the same had the attack been the same
Personally, I speculate they would have got the dogs out.
By the time the "dogs" showed up, the invaders left without further incident. Remember; the whole thing lasted less than 2 hours; it' wasn't like those Antifa/BLM riots that last all day long.
 
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums

rturner76

Domine non-sum dignus
Supporter
May 10, 2011
10,484
3,582
Twin Cities
✟724,721.00
Country
United States
Faith
Catholic
Marital Status
Single
Politics
US-Green
What have I said to give you that impression? Or are you just making stuff up about me since you struggle refuting anything I say.
I guess when asked if there would be no incident I got the impression you thought there would be. My mistake.
Thank-you Captain Obvious! (like I didn’t know that) In case you didn’t know, planes take-off and land safely all the time, and guns are shot all the time without killing anyone
I guess I have not noticed any positive comments about BLM coming fro you. Maybe I missed something.
By the time the "dogs" showed up, the invaders left without further incident. Remember; the whole thing lasted less than 2 hours; it' wasn't like those Antifa/BLM riots that last all day long.
It wasn't a protest or a riot, it was an insurrection. Storming the capital sent a message that they were behind Trump no matter what he wanted to do. No matter the election results. That's the message I received from their actions.

Why do you defend their actions?
 
Upvote 0

Ken-1122

Newbie
Jan 30, 2011
13,574
1,790
✟225,690.00
Faith
Atheist
Marital Status
Private
I guess when asked if there would be no incident I got the impression you thought there would be. My mistake.
Totally understand; mistakes happen to the best of us.
I guess I have not noticed any positive comments about BLM coming fro you. Maybe I missed something.
My disdain for BLM has nothing to do with how they protest but what they protest and what they refuse to protest.
It wasn't a protest or a riot, it was an insurrection. Storming the capital sent a message that they were behind Trump no matter what he wanted to do. No matter the election results. That's the message I received from their actions.
Go back and read what I actually said. I didn’t call it a protest or riot, I called it an invasion. Like it or not, what they did was an invasion.
Why do you defend their actions?
When have I ever defended their actions? Or are you just making stuff up about me since you struggle to refute anything I say (LOL)
 
Upvote 0

rturner76

Domine non-sum dignus
Supporter
May 10, 2011
10,484
3,582
Twin Cities
✟724,721.00
Country
United States
Faith
Catholic
Marital Status
Single
Politics
US-Green
My disdain for BLM has nothing to do with how they protest but what they protest and what they refuse to protest.
Fair enough.
Go back and read what I actually said. I didn’t call it a protest or riot, I called it an invasion. Like it or not, what they did was an invasion.
Yes, an invasion of the nation's capital. I see storming the capital and overwhelming security like that sends a very serious message about what people were willing to do to keep Trump in power. Speculating, I believe there are certain people who wanted to set off a chain reaction in the states where an uprising could be started. I think they underestimated their support and no other groups "invaded" another capital.
When have I ever defended their actions? Or are you just making stuff up about me since you struggle to refute anything I say (LOL)
It seemed to me like you didn't think the invasion was very serious but I think there was a very concerning message that was sent on that day. Something like "Look out, average law-abiding citizens may just storm the nation's capital and the government won't do anything to stop it." We rule!

EDIT: I do refute what you say. It's just that you seem to think neither my information nor opinion based on personal experience is valid. You have previously acknowledged the income and education gap. You seem to acknowledge that racism exists but I fail to see how you think it is made manifest. Have you personally experienced racism? Do you know anyone who has? If so, what is the story behind it?
 
Last edited:
  • Optimistic
Reactions: Pommer
Upvote 0

Ken-1122

Newbie
Jan 30, 2011
13,574
1,790
✟225,690.00
Faith
Atheist
Marital Status
Private
EDIT: I do refute what you say. It's just that you seem to think neither my information nor opinion based on personal experience is valid.
I said that more as a jab or joke than anything else; that’s why I put (LOL) at the end of it.
EDIT You have previously acknowledged the income and education gap.
I think everybody acknowledges the income gap, I just don’t see anything wrong or bad about it.
EDIT You seem to acknowledge that racism exists but I fail to see how you think it is made manifest. Have you personally experienced racism? Do you know anyone who has? If so, what is the story behind it?
I think everybody has experienced racism; I just refrain from allowing it to dictate my life. I also have a problem with people who think only they, and people like them are the only ones who experience it, and everyone else different does not. I also see a growing segment of society vilifying some forms of racism, while completely ignoring other forms. I have complete disdain for all racists and all forms of racism and I have no problem pointing it out when I see.
 
  • Winner
Reactions: rjs330
Upvote 0

rturner76

Domine non-sum dignus
Supporter
May 10, 2011
10,484
3,582
Twin Cities
✟724,721.00
Country
United States
Faith
Catholic
Marital Status
Single
Politics
US-Green
I have complete disdain for all racists and all forms of racism and I have no problem pointing it out when I see.
Is it that you don't ever see it? What makes a complaint of racism real and what is just "whining" as someone else said? What does one do if they feel they are being treated differently than others based on race/ethnicity/religion, etc? Is it usually just whining or imagining a slight of some sort because they have been taught to be victims?

I'm trying to understand how you believe racism exists but when cases of it are mentioned you seem dismissive.
 
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums

Ken-1122

Newbie
Jan 30, 2011
13,574
1,790
✟225,690.00
Faith
Atheist
Marital Status
Private
Is it that you don't ever see it? What makes a complaint of racism real and what is just "whining" as someone else said? What does one do if they feel they are being treated differently than others based on race/ethnicity/religion, etc? Is it usually just whining or imagining a slight of some sort because they have been taught to be victims?

I'm trying to understand how you believe racism exists but when cases of it are mentioned you seem dismissive.
When world known super rich Lebron James says he is now afraid to walk down his own neighborhood because of what happened to Floyd, and that all black people are on the hunt by the cops due to racism, I dismiss his rant as whining.
When multi-billionaire Oprah Winfrey says even poor white people are more privileged than she is due to their whiteness, I dismiss this as whining
When super rich Chris Rock says even the poorest white person wouldn’t want to trade places with him because even though he’s rich he is still black, I dismiss this as whining.
There are plenty of examples of racism that are legit, but most of what I see that makes the headlines is just whining; and when I see it, I call it as I see it.
But don't assume that because you see me dismiss some claims of racism that I dismiss all of them.
 
  • Like
Reactions: OldWiseGuy
Upvote 0

rturner76

Domine non-sum dignus
Supporter
May 10, 2011
10,484
3,582
Twin Cities
✟724,721.00
Country
United States
Faith
Catholic
Marital Status
Single
Politics
US-Green
When world known super rich Lebron James says he is now afraid to walk down his own neighborhood because of what happened to Floyd, and that all black people are on the hunt by the cops due to racism, I dismiss his rant as whining.
When multi-billionaire Oprah Winfrey says even poor white people are more privileged than she is due to their whiteness, I dismiss this as whining
When super rich Chris Rock says even the poorest white person wouldn’t want to trade places with him because even though he’s rich he is still black, I dismiss this as whining.
There are plenty of examples of racism that are legit, but most of what I see that makes the headlines is just whining; and when I see it, I call it as I see it.
But don't assume that because you see me dismiss some claims of racism that I dismiss all of them.
A racist white person would not want to trade places with a rich famous black I'm sure but I think the average poor white man would change his skin for the mega millions. I think the point those celebrities wanted to make was that all of their money and fame does not protect them from racism.

I'm asking about is you now. Your personal experience with this issue. Have you ever felt singled out or treated differently because of your ethnicity? I know anecdotal information is not proof but someone's personal experience certainly can affect their opinion.

There have been so so many people who have smiled in my face, shook my hand, and even broke bread with me who turn around and say very offensive things about black people. I've heard them in the next room making comments and some have done it to my face after they've had a couple of drinks. My first real girlfriend had to keep me a secret because of her dad's prejudice. Other white friends have disowned me when I approached them in from of their white friends.

This personal experience is why I believe that many people that hire. fire. and promote could be prejudice. I've just seen so many people who are. Now if what I have experienced is uncommon, my opinion has been skewed in comparison to the average person.
 
Upvote 0

Ken-1122

Newbie
Jan 30, 2011
13,574
1,790
✟225,690.00
Faith
Atheist
Marital Status
Private
A racist white person would not want to trade places with a rich famous black I'm sure but I think the average poor white man would change his skin for the mega millions. I think the point those celebrities wanted to make was that all of their money and fame does not protect them from racism.
All the money Bill Gates has doesn’t protect him from racism either!
I'm asking about is you now. Your personal experience with this issue. Have you ever felt singled out or treated differently because of your ethnicity?
Yes! A Bigot called me the N-word while I was the only black person in the room. Did I feel singled out? Yes. Did I assume this was typical of all white people? No; I felt it was typical of THAT white person
There have been so so many people who have smiled in my face, shook my hand, and even broke bread with me who turn around and say very offensive things about black people. I've heard them in the next room making comments and some have done it to my face after they've had a couple of drinks. My first real girlfriend had to keep me a secret because of her dad's prejudice. Other white friends have disowned me when I approached them in from of their white friends.
That stuff happens with all races.
This personal experience is why I believe that many people that hire. fire. and promote could be prejudice. I've just seen so many people who are.
That stuff happens with all races in a position of power. But there are far more white people in the position to hire, fire, and promote than all other races, so I’m sure numerically speaking this is more of a problem with white people.
 
Upvote 0

rturner76

Domine non-sum dignus
Supporter
May 10, 2011
10,484
3,582
Twin Cities
✟724,721.00
Country
United States
Faith
Catholic
Marital Status
Single
Politics
US-Green
All the money Bill Gates has doesn’t protect him from racism either!
Ok but I have a feeling Bill Gates deals with racism much less than the average African American. Just a hunch.
Yes! A Bigot called me the N-word while I was the only black person in the room. Did I feel singled out? Yes. Did I assume this was typical of all white people? No; I felt it was typical of THAT white person
Was he in a position to affect your livelihood? In my experience, bigotry is not expressed out in the open like that.
That stuff happens with all races in a position of power. But there are far more white people in the position to hire, fire, and promote than all other races, so I’m sure numerically speaking this is more of a problem with white people.
This is basically a large portion of what I have been trying to say this whole time. That is the "privilege" the OP is asking about. I'm sure most white people don't actively try to hold others down. It's just simply higher numbers. That doesn't mean that there aren't 6 million other kinds of privilege. Having educated parents is a great privilege. Being born with high intelligence, charisma, or creativity. Those things will likely get a person much farther than simply having white skin.
 
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums

TLK Valentine

I've already read the books you want burned.
Apr 15, 2012
64,493
30,319
Behind the 8-ball, but ahead of the curve.
✟541,512.00
Country
United States
Faith
Agnostic
Marital Status
Single
Blacks here have made tremendous progress in the last 60 years, likely the greatest ethnic minority success story anywhere in the world.

True -- but it would be wrong to forget why they had to make all that progress in the first place... or to automatically assume that there isn't still work to be done.
 
Upvote 0