"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.

Dismantling Racism -- Understanding the System of White Privilege

“We need to be clear that there is no such thing as giving up one’s privilege to be ‘outside’ the system. One is always in the system. The only question is whether one is part of the system in a way that challenges or strengthens the status quo. Privilege is not something I take and which therefore have the option of not taking. It is something that society gives me, and unless I change the institutions which give it to me, they will continue to give it, and I will continue to have it, however noble and equalitarian my intentions.”

− Harry Brod, professor of sociology at University of Northern Iowa

White privilege is defined as “an institutional (rather than personal) set of benefits granted to those of us who, by race, resemble the people who dominate the powerful positions in our institutions.”

One of the primary white privileges is that of having greater access to power and resources than people of color do; in other words, purely on the basis of our skin color, doors are open to whites that are not open to other people. Frances E. Kendall, Ph.D., nationally known consultant who has focused for more than thirty-five years on organizational change, diversity, and white privilege, says …

“White privilege has nothing to do with whether or not we are “good” people. We who are white can be absolute jerks and still have white privileges; people of color can be the most wonderful individuals in the world and not have them. Privileges are bestowed on us by the institutions with which we interact solely because of our race, not because we are deserving as individuals.”

(Francis E. Kendall, Ph.D. Understanding White Privilege. 2002.)

Whites get white privilege prenatally. They are literally pre-born into the entitlement. On the other hand, people of color, by necessity, must be able to read the white system and abide by the rules therein. Whites are able to live out their lives knowing very little of the experiences of people of color. At most, their understanding of racism or whiteness is an intellectual exercise, something they can work at for a period of time and then move on, rather than its being central to their survival.

Consider a very simple example of white privilege largely unrealized by the majority:

If you are white and walk into any drug store in the country that carries hair products, you can be sure that you will find a wide variety of products designed for your hair. Black hair products are much harder to find; often African Americans have to drive for miles to buy what they need. A trivial example? An unintentional difference? No matter, this is a simple reality afforded by white privilege.

Being white enables people to decide whether they are going to listen to others, to hear them, or neither. Whiteness also affords the endowment to discount the worth of people of color, their opinions, their behavior, and even their future – all based on a white assessment.

White privilege is NOT the suggestion that white people have never struggled. And, white privilege is NOT the assumption that everything a white person has accomplished is unearned. Instead, white privilege should be viewed as a built-in advantage, separate from one’s level of income or effort.

“White privilege is not just the power to find what you need in a convenience store or to move through the world without your race defining your interactions. It’s not just the subconscious comfort of seeing a world that serves you as normal.

“It’s also the power to remain silent in the face of racial inequity. It’s the power to weigh the need for protest or confrontation against the discomfort or inconvenience of speaking up. It’s getting to choose when and where you want to take a stand. It’s knowing that you and your humanity are safe.”

(Cory Collins. “What Is White Privilege, Really?” Teaching Tolerance. Issue 60, Fall 2018.)

In a 2015 study, Stanford researchers found that on an individual level, whites do not think that the privileges extend to them. The research by L. Taylor Phillips, a PhD student at Stanford Graduate School of Business, and Brian Lowery, the Walter Kenneth Kilpatrick Professor of Organizational Behavior at Stanford GSB, found that whites exposed to evidence of racial privilege responded by claiming their own personal hardships.

Those surveyed didn’t deny the existence of racial privileges held by whites as a group, they just came up with other reasons – namely, personal obstacles – why they should be considered differently from that overall group.

Lowery explains the findings …

“You like to have nice things. But you don’t want to think you got those things as a result of unearned advantages. People feel better about what they have if they believe they have earned those things as a result of hard work, not via birthright. So denying built-in advantages is essentially a form of self-protection.”

(L. Taylor Phillips and Brian Lowery. “The Hard-Knock Life? Whites Claim Hardships in Response to Racial Inequity.” Journal of Experimental Social Psychology. November 2015.)

Understanding white privilege could lead people to be less forgiving toward poor whites – a backlash of sympathy associated with greater punishment and blame and fewer external attributions for a poor white person’s plight. It is unfortunate that white privilege lessons may increase unfounded beliefs that poor white people have failed to take advantage of their racial privilege. Knowledge may be misinterpreted and misapplied – a sad consequence, indeed.

(E. Cooley, et al. “Complex intersections of race and class: Among social liberals, learning about White privilege reduces sympathy, increases blame, and decreases external attributions for White people struggling with poverty.” Journal of Experimental Psychology. 2019.)

Of course, race categories are a problematic social construction. How wonderful it would be if race did not matter. Even in the 21^st century, that is not the case. Having white skin confers benefit and privileges that white people often do not realize, and that privilege occurs on day to day basis. Dr Lee Edwards, Associate Professor in the Department of Media and Communications at the London School of Economics explains …

“White privilege is a root cause of microaggressions that construct the ‘other’ on a day to day basis, the ‘drip, drip’ of a leaking tap that continuously, inexorably inflicts the pain of racism. If racism is to be overcome then it needs to be dismantled. Calling it out is everyone’s job, but the media and the communications industries play a special role here because of their power to represent the world to us.”

(Lee Edwards. “George Floyd, racism, white privilege and the media. London School of Economics and Political Science. June 2, 2020.)