"How Dare You?" -- White Privilege Assumed

I would like to share an insight I made after many decades of living as a white man in a white Southern Ohio society. Many of us like to think that we got to where we are today solely by virtue of our merit and hard work. Of course, that was true, in large part, for us whites. But in a largely segregated society, we were likely unaware how some opportunities were afforded to us because of the color of our skin. We did not consider the advantage of our white privilege including cultural affirmations of our own worth; presumed greater social status; and freedom to move, buy, work, play, and speak freely.

Although we grew up with white privilege, we were so involved in making our way through school, college, and the job market that we did not take time to see the insidious effects of systemic racism. We knew all about how our own intelligence, pluck, and maybe a little luck got us favor; however, we were largely unsympathetic to the plight of others far less fortunate who could not expect a break.

After accomplishing goals by working hard and making it on our own, many of us whites did not understand why “they” – blacks – did not do the same thing. We thought, after all, the Civil Rights Act had been enacted way back in 1964. So, we were easy prey to the bigoted belief that “something must be wrong with blacks.” It was easy to use that idea of black inferiority to blame blacks for any lack of progress.

Doing this also helped the white race dismiss the reality that racial preferences have a long, institutional history in this country – a white history. We refused to accept that many established programs and practices had channeled wealth and opportunities to white people at the expense of others. In a predominately white environment, we had little frame of reference.

Even though a white person may have a low social economic status, a black person will encounter structural disadvantages that the poor white will not. Yes, that poor white has tremendous disadvantages and works very hard to overcome them, but our society has valued a poor white more than a poor black – you are free of the absence of suspicion and other negative reactions that people who are objects of racism experience. White privilege is conferred regardless of a white person's individual economic status or history.

Most struggling whites certainly do not consider that a black family's net worth is not simply the finish line, it's also the starting point for the next generation. In truth, those with wealth pass their assets on to their children – by financing a college education, lending a hand during hard times, or assisting with the down payment for a home. Some economists estimate that up to 80 percent of lifetime wealth accumulation depends on these intergenerational transfers.

White advantage is passed down, from parent to child to grand-child. As a result, the racial wealth gap – and the head start enjoyed by whites – has grown since the civil rights days. Much of that wealth difference can be attributed to the fact blacks lag far behind whites in assets such as the value of one's home, and how much one inherited from parents. For so many blacks, life is “hand to mouth” – satisfying only one's immediate needs because of lack of money for future plans and investments.

According to one study, white families hold 90% of the national wealth, Latino families hold 2.3%, and black families hold 2.6%. Not only that, the Great Recession hit minority families particularly hard. Think about this: for every $100 white families earn in income, black families earn just $57.30 (Census Bureau’s Current Population Survey). That’s almost unbelievable – and it’s a huge racial-justice issue.

Of course, some whites continue to believe they are victims of reverse discrimination. They deny white privilege and enter a state of “white fragility.” They suffer negative emotional reactions when racism is called to their attention. Any such conversation becomes less about what the person of color experienced and more about what they experience as white disadvantaged people. In doing this, they attempt to undercut the validity of the black people's experience.

It's the “I can't believe you accused me of that – I'm not a racist” defense. It forces black people to be in defensive positions because of white people's hurt feelings, and this “white fragility” prevents these white Americans from confronting racism. They end up managing their own grief and trauma which become a bigger issue. If you are an black who raises issues of racism or discrimination, you always have to consider how white people are going to react and then how people react to that reaction.

To close, I acknowledge some white people do not want to hear about white privilege and systemic racism. They are perfectly content to live their lives without being bothered by “taking a side” in racial issues. These people include many who claim “I don't see color” and “all lives matter” and “I had nothing to do with inequality.” Their denial of participation in the conversation may be heartfelt … but it also may be dangerously indifferent as a means to enable wicked racists to continue their white nationalist agenda.

“Me” … “I” … “we” – those pronouns can deny other very important participants in the discourse – “they” … “them.” Shouldn't we realize the stark reality and apply it to our daily lives? I know I eventually saw how recognizing a difference in the social determinants of economic and social class mobility helps initiate needed change. The opportunity to live a good life should be a matter of fact, not a matter of privilege.

I would like to share an insight I made after many decades of living as a white man in a white Southern Ohio society. Many of us like to think that we got to where we are today solely by virtue of our merit and hard work. Of course, that was true, in large part, for us whites. But in a largely segregated society, we were likely unaware how some opportunities were afforded to us because of the color of our skin. We did not consider the advantage of our white privilege including cultural affirmations of our own worth; presumed greater social status; and freedom to move, buy, work, play, and speak freely.

Although we grew up with white privilege, we were so involved in making our way through school, college, and the job market that we did not take time to see the insidious effects of systemic racism. We knew all about how our own intelligence, pluck, and maybe a little luck got us favor; however, we were largely unsympathetic to the plight of others far less fortunate who could not expect a break.

After accomplishing goals by working hard and making it on our own, many of us whites did not understand why “they” – blacks – did not do the same thing. We thought, after all, the Civil Rights Act had been enacted way back in 1964. So, we were easy prey to the bigoted belief that “something must be wrong with blacks.” It was easy to use that idea of black inferiority to blame blacks for any lack of progress.

Doing this also helped the white race dismiss the reality that racial preferences have a long, institutional history in this country – a white history. We refused to accept that many established programs and practices had channeled wealth and opportunities to white people at the expense of others. In a predominately white environment, we had little frame of reference.

Even though a white person may have a low social economic status, a black person will encounter structural disadvantages that the poor white will not. Yes, that poor white has tremendous disadvantages and works very hard to overcome them, but our society has valued a poor white more than a poor black – you are free of the absence of suspicion and other negative reactions that people who are objects of racism experience. White privilege is conferred regardless of a white person's individual economic status or history.

Most struggling whites certainly do not consider that a black family's net worth is not simply the finish line, it's also the starting point for the next generation. In truth, those with wealth pass their assets on to their children – by financing a college education, lending a hand during hard times, or assisting with the down payment for a home. Some economists estimate that up to 80 percent of lifetime wealth accumulation depends on these intergenerational transfers.

White advantage is passed down, from parent to child to grand-child. As a result, the racial wealth gap – and the head start enjoyed by whites – has grown since the civil rights days. Much of that wealth difference can be attributed to the fact blacks lag far behind whites in assets such as the value of one's home, and how much one inherited from parents. For so many blacks, life is “hand to mouth” – satisfying only one's immediate needs because of lack of money for future plans and investments.

According to one study, white families hold 90% of the national wealth, Latino families hold 2.3%, and black families hold 2.6%. Not only that, the Great Recession hit minority families particularly hard. Think about this: for every $100 white families earn in income, black families earn just $57.30 (Census Bureau’s Current Population Survey). That’s almost unbelievable – and it’s a huge racial-justice issue.

Of course, some whites continue to believe they are victims of reverse discrimination. They deny white privilege and enter a state of “white fragility.” They suffer negative emotional reactions when racism is called to their attention. Any such conversation becomes less about what the person of color experienced and more about what they experience as white disadvantaged people. In doing this, they attempt to undercut the validity of the black people's experience.

It's the “I can't believe you accused me of that – I'm not a racist but ...” defense. It forces black people to be in defensive positions because of white people's hurt feelings, and this “white fragility” prevents these white Americans from confronting racism. They end up managing their own grief and trauma which become a bigger issue. If you are an black who raises issues of racism or discrimination, you always have to consider how white people are going to react and then how people react to that reaction.

To close, I acknowledge some white people do not want to hear about white privilege and systemic racism. They are perfectly content to live their lives without being bothered by “taking a side” in racial issues. These people include many who claim “I don't see color” and “all lives matter” and “I had nothing to do with inequality.” Their denial of participation in the conversation may be heartfelt … but it also may be dangerously indifferent as a means to enable wicked racists to continue their white nationalist agenda.

“Me” … “I” … “we” – those pronouns can deny other very important participants in the discourse – “they” … “them.” Shouldn't we realize the stark reality and apply it to our daily lives? I know I eventually saw how recognizing a difference in the social determinants of economic and social class mobility helps initiate needed change. The opportunity to live a good life should be a matter of fact, not a matter of privilege.