Privilege
in society comes in many shapes and forms, it is very easy to take privilege
for granted and not even realize what you are exempted from. Most people do not wake up in the morning and
say hey, I want to think of my privilege as a man today, or I want to think of
my privilege as a Christian today. Still, some like the author of this article below
do. http://thoughtcatalog.com/2012/trayvon-martin-and-white-privilege/
Neesha
Powell was inspired to think of privilege as a white person in reflection on
the Florida death of Trayvon Martin. His
death and the continuing controversy surrounding it are (hopefully) causing
many people to re-examine their stereotypes and take a critical look at the
behaviors that played out. Ms. Powell
recounts a recent racist-remark filled party she attended at a friend’s house
and how that also made her re-think both the common culture and privilege for
white persons. If Trayvon had been a
white teen doing the same things, wandering in a hoodie on a call with their
girlfriend, would that have inspired the same reaction?
Ms.
Powell gives a candid examination of her view on white privilege. She draws an important distinction – white privilege
is not white power. White privilege is
not a conscious choice to gain rights or advantages for whites only. White privilege is the privileges that society
normatively gives to white people, things like non- automatic discrimination and no
assumptions about our home life or preferred foods. It is a product of embedded expectations and stereotypes
in contemporary society. In examining white
privilege, the author of this article set the stage for her readers to think of
themselves. There are many benefits society
doles out simply for being white. For
example, in a police encounter I doubt I would garner much attitude, but rather
attentiveness and trust in my words; proven innocent until guilty not assumed
guilt that must be disproved.
Take a look at a history book and how much
non-white history do you see? World History Textbooks in American schools
focuses on Europe, its conquests, and on America. Where is the in-depth detail on the great Chinese
empire, the Japanese, the Maori of New Zeeland, the great African kingdoms of
Nubia or Great Zimbabwe? Beyond that, if
a group of silent white people entered an elevator would you go on your guard? Have you had anyone ever say your name in a questioning
tone, because the individual does not feel your name matches up with what they
think ‘would fit’ with what you look like?
White
privilege is only one type of privilege though. I never thought of my privileges until recent
months. My privileges as a mixed-race white,
a woman, a US citizen, a heterosexual, a college student, a driver, a Christian….
I never thought about what makes my life work the way it does. I have light skin, I’m given the advantages
and privileges of whites. I am a woman,
if I scream someone will come and help, not come to watch me defend myself or
fail. I can travel in trust and assurance,
I can get well-paying jobs and I have so much political and everyday freedom as
a born American. The privileges go on.
I
have a challenge for those who read this, think of your privileges, think of
your disadvantages. Take the time to
think about what society has to say in your life.
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