Does white privilege exist in the US?

[rturner76]

I have no idea what you are talking about here

Doesn't surprise me.

Yeah; but we aren’t talking about all those other privileges we’re talking about White privilege. And though on average, white people do have more wealth and education than blacks, you can’t call those white privilege because white privilege is a privilege you get for being white; not rich or educated.

Exept that like you said you have a greater chance of being born with money or educated parents if you are white. They may not be white privileges but they are privileges that more white people have than blacks.

 

[Ken-1122]

Doesn't surprise me.

Exept that like you said you have a greater chance of being born with money or educated parents if you are white. They may not be white privileges but they are privileges that more white people have than blacks.

You also have a greater chance of being born with money or educated parents if you are Asian than if you are white. I would not call that a privilege of those educated, I would call it a disadvantage of those who are not.

 

[rturner76]

I have no idea what you are talking about here.

Figures

You also have a greater chance of being born with money or educated parents if you are Asian than if you are white. I would not call that a privilege of those educated, I would call it a disadvantage of those who are not.

I don't disagree.

 

[Albion]

Exept that like you said you have a greater chance of being born with money or educated parents if you are white. They may not be white privileges but they are privileges that more white people have than blacks.

...which then is simply a matter of numbers, not privilege.

 

[Ken-1122]

Doesn't surprise me.

You need to be a clear about who you are talking about when you make your points.

 

[rturner76]

...which then is simply a matter of numbers, not privilege.

The numbers are what makes having white skin a privilege. Privilege doesn't mean all white people get a free ride in life. It's just something that makes it a little easier for some

 

[Pommer]

The numbers are what makes having white skin a privilege. Privilege doesn't mean all white people get a free ride in life. It's just something that makes it a little easier for some

Wait...subtlety and nuance?

 

[Albion]

The numbers are what makes having white skin a privilege.

I don't think so. People rush to make these absolutist judgments, but even if there were such a thing as "white privilege," it wouldn't be because there are more whites to have success than members of other races. There are also more whites to experience rejection, too.

If you think about it for a moment, the idea of privilege is normally about an elite group. Privilege has historically been about a smaller than normal segment of society, like the nobility or the members of the ruling party or the landowners, etc. That's not so with this claim about some white privilege that's just a hyped-up talking point.

 

[TLK Valentine]

I don't think so. People rush to make these absolutist judgments, but even if there were such a thing as "white privilege," it wouldn't be because there are more whites to have success than members of other races. There are also more whites to experience rejection, too.

Right -- so we can't talk about it in terms of absolute numbers; we'd have to look at percentages.

If you think about it for a moment, the idea of privilege is normally about an elite group. Privilege has historically been about a smaller than normal segment of society, like the nobility or the members of the ruling party or the landowners, etc. That's not so with this claim about some white privilege that's just a hyped-up talking point.

Yes, but not always -- If you think about it for another moment, privilege is connected to power, which can most certainly come from superior numbers as easily as from a socially-constructed "elite" status.

At the risk of Godwinning the discussion, there were certainly more non-Jews than Jews in 1930s Germany... but there was no question which group was "privileged" and which was not.

 

[rturner76]

I don't think so. People rush to make these absolutist judgments, but even if there were such a thing as "white privilege," it wouldn't be because there are more whites to have success than members of other races. There are also more whites to experience rejection, too.

If you think about it for a moment, the idea of privilege is normally about an elite group. Privilege has historically been about a smaller than normal segment of society, like the nobility or the members of the ruling party or the landowners, etc. That's not so with this claim about some white privilege that's just a hyped-up talking point.

There are multiple things that can be called a privilege. I have a feeling you think that the concept of "White" privilege means that white people get a free ride in life that's not what it means. Being tall is a privilege. Tall people, intelligent people, well-connected people, people with educated parents, etc, etc: all of those things could be called privileges or gifts. It doesn't mean you got a free ticket to success because you are white or tall or whatever.

I think to say that there is no benefit to being white in the USA is naive.

 

[Albion]

There are multiple things that can be called a privilege. I have a feeling you think that the concept of "White" privilege means that white people get a free ride in life that's not what it means.

You're mistaken about that hunch, so there's nothing more to say about this guess.

 

[rjs330]

So you agree poor people have challenges. That means it is not as easy for them as it is for others. That is the definition of privilege.

I'm sorry but both of my parents were raised under Jim Crow. It wasn't all that long ago. According to what you say more than half of blacks live in poverty. I understand it that you blame them for their poverty you have your reasons. I would think that you were more educated on the causes of generational poverty after 35 years of working with the poor. Were all of the people you worked with 199% responsible for their circumstances? Maybe but I think the word challenge means it makes it more difficult. Not impossible.

I believe you but you don't actually know who hired you for what reasons. Maybe you got hired over someone black because they felt more comfortable working with a white than a black. You don't know, neither do I.

RIght, poor people choose to be poor.

What if your mental illness or PTSD etc. hinders you from making good choices?

You only face that on social media, not in the workforce. Look up the stats. Whites are better off across the board in almost all categories. THat is your privilege not the black man's.

Privilege as preched by the woke culture is you get something solely based upon the color of your skin. I got my job cause I'm white. I make money because I'm white. I live in my house just cause I'm white. I was able to succeed just cause I'm white. Your comments speak volumes as to your racial bias. Automatically bringing up that I may have been hired because I'm white and not based upon my performance during the hiring process. Hinting I may have not deserved it.

You know my dad was poor. So poor they didn't have electricity in their house. He worked jobs where he had to have two jobs to support his family and one of them was full time. My wife was so poor that she didn't know if they were going to have any food on the table every day. She didn't have a parent who could or would sign for her to obtain a driver license or take her to a doctor or buy medicine.

My family had generational poverty. I was poor.
So I understand what it takes to get out of poverty. That is why I DO understand what it takes. It takes work and effort and overcoming challenges. It takes making wise decisions. It takes staying away from drugs and alcohol. It takes taking advantage of the opportunities this country affords you. Go to school, work hard and pursue your desires to succeed.

I don't blame people for their poverty. I blame them for staying in it. I'm talking about regular normal people. Not those with debilitating conditions, like blindness, physical conditions like being a paraplegic or mental illnesses. That's a different subject all together.

Since I have worked with the poor I know what causes them to stay poor. And we can discuss those causes. Some are not their fault and they won't ever really rise out of struggling. But it's not the majority poor that remain that way. It's usually something else.

The black poor have been told for years it is too difficult to get out of poverty. It's everyone else holding them back. They have to depend on the goverenment and the beneficence of white people to get ahead. And now they are being told the white man must be punished in order for them to succeed. It's all about victimization and a victim mentality that says everyone else is responsible to you staying poor and everyone else must pay to get you out. It's such nonsense.

If 40% of african americans are middle class, then that tells you they can succeed. Cause there are no laws and no restrictions on them to pursue whatever they wish to pursue. What people like you do is degrade the black man. You speak of the hardships they endure and it's so hard to move ahead. As if they don't have the ability to overcome some of their conditions. They have to have all kinds of special help cause they are just not capable. It's racist.

I say if blacks want out of poverty, they can get out like anyone else. Go to school, get a highschool eduction. Study and get good grades. Stay out away from drugs and stay out of trouble. Find a career you want and pursue it. If that means going to college then choose the college you want and go. No it's not easy, but it's not easy for anyone. I didn't get where I am because anything was handed to me. I had to work my way through a lot of crummy jobs, learn a lot of lessons and be persistent. They can too. It's not beyond their reach. If a poor white person wants out of poverty, go to school, get a highschool education, study and get good grades. Stay away from drugs and alcohol. Stay out of trouble. Find a career and pursue it. Go to college if that's what is needed.

 

[rjs330]

The heart of the argument is exposed. Kudos for efficiently cutting through the bull. It's a rare gift to have such a well-developed BS meter.

I said in another post that there are countless privileges one can be born with from money to education to intelligence to good looks and so on, all give advantages over others.

So what if someone is born with certain advantages or gifts. So what? Is that some sort of an excuse to call yourself a victim and not pursue what you want. You act as if thats some big excuse. Why even bring that up? My answer is, so?

Does that make you so incapable of success? Guess what. I will never be a Bill Gates or a male model for GQ. Am I supposed to cry about that? Does that mean I can't be successful? Of course not. The entire human race is a mish mosh of various types of people. Some are born with special talents or abilities. Some are better looking, some are really smart. Some have a musical or artistic talent. Some are analytical others are not. None of that is a reason or excuse not to be successful just cause you are less smart than Bill Gates or less talented than Denzel Washington.

 

[Astroqualia]

You're probably right -- perfection is an unattainable goal, but that's no reason not to keep trying.



When one person starts with $100, and the other starts with a penny (which they had to fight to get in the first place), the doubling analogy will never lead to equality, now will it?

...and that's assuming that the $100 guy doesn't occasionally reach over and steal a nickel out of the poorer guy's pile...

So you recognize the privilege is a wealth privilege vs a poverty privilege.

 

[Pommer]

So you recognize the privilege is a wealth privilege vs a poverty privilege.

Please for to explain how poverty privileges anyone?
Thank you.

 

[Astroqualia]

Please for to explain how poverty privileges anyone?
Thank you.

Funny, that when folks lack an argument they pick at semantics. Dead giveaway every time.

 

[Pommer]

Funny, that when folks lack an argument they pick at semantics. Dead giveaway every time.

Welcome to ignore!

 

[TLK Valentine]

So you recognize the privilege is a wealth privilege vs a poverty privilege.

I recognize that there are many privileges in our society.

Don't you?

 

[rturner76]

You're mistaken about that hunch, so there's nothing more to say about this guess.

What is "white privilege" by your definition?

 

[Ken-1122]

Yes, but not always -- If you think about it for another moment, privilege is connected to power, which can most certainly come from superior numbers as easily as from a socially-constructed "elite" status.

It can also come from influence. Look at the power BLM has generated in a few years, and they had neither the numbers, nor elite status.