This article helps to define "white privilege" and provides examples proving that it does exist in society today, even though it is difficult for the majority of people to recognize. It is the invisibility aspect that makes privilege effective. As stated in the article, "white privilege is like the air we breathe: we don't really know it's around us unless it's unavailable" (Weiss Online). The author of this article draws on her own struggle with trying to explain white privilege and identifying it's effects in her daily life. Despite challenges, for whites there are certain things that come easier than if they were to belong to another racial group which the author demonstrates in nine brief examples.
The white privileges explained in this article include:
Your Wages Aren't Lower Because of Your Race
People Don't Make Assumptions About Your Intelligence Because of Your Race
You Don't Feel Pressure To Represent Your Race
Most Products Are Geared Toward You
Most Media Is Geared Toward You
Beauty Standards Aren't Rigged Against You Because Of Your Race
Jobs Won't Discriminate Against You Due To Your Race
People Will Trust That You Deserve To Be Where You Are
The Police Are Looking Out For You
Weiss, S. (2016, March 22). What is White Privilege? Here Are Nine Everyday Examples. Retrieved April 19, 2016, from http://www.bustle.com/articles/149452-what-is-white-privilege-here-are-9-everyday-examples
A carpet salesman in Pittsburgh has since had an article published in the Wall Street Journal by declaring himself the World's Most Privileged Person. From the get-go he refers to the accidents of birth such as his self-identification as a straight, white male. He discusses the other privileges in his life such as the freedom he has attained from the selflessness of the U.S. soldiers, his parents hard work to reach the upper-middle class and his own choices. The main part that stuck with me in this article was in the introduction he states, "Somewhere along the way, privilege went from something to be grateful for to something to be embarassed about." Categorizing himself as a white male is thought to represent the highest privilege with relation to historical evidence throughout the United States. However, this privilege comes at the expense of others as this ideology has continued to be apparent in the American society.
ReplyDeleteWeiss, L. (2016, May 6). Privileged? Check. The Wall Street Journal. CCLXVII, 106.