1. White Privilege Analysis
Unwanted Truths behind White Privilege
We live in a country that feels the urge to label every individual, group, or race however; sometimes that label does not truly represent that individual.
For instance, the U.S. Census Bureau, during the 1940s classified Hispanics/ Latinos as white. In this case being labeled, as White did not benefit
Hispanics/Latinos because they did not enjoy the same privileges as a White person. However, it was not until 1970 during Nixon's administration that
the academia term Hispanic was created, but it was not included in the Census until 1980. Regardless of how long it took to be included within the
Census, the Hispanic/ Latino race will always live under the oppression of the superior race due to the phenomenon...show more content...
Daily, law enforcement will stop a Hispanic/Latino for doing something "suspicious" when it is consider the norm for another ethnicity. For
example, in Arizona, Hispanics/ Latinos were targets of racial profiling; they were being stopped by law enforcement to verify their legal status. In
this it is necessary to point out that not a single white person lives under the constant fear of being a suspect for being at the wrong place at the
wrong time because minorities such as Hispanics/ Latinos or Blacks will consider accountable of it according to Latino Policy and Issues Brief by
Abel Valenzuela, Hispanic score of 0.77 under of the sub–index of criminal justice. This sub–index is composed of measuring "equality before the law
and arrest" (Valenzuela). This demonstrates the inequality among the system that is meant to protect
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2. White Privilege in America Essay
What is privilege? What does it mean? Is privilege inherited or is it earned? As an American resident of color I've learned that privilege in this country
is something that is innate and inherited. The privilege that I speak of is that of White privilege.
There are two prominent writer/scholars who have taken the issue of white privilege to heart and have shared their expert analysis on the subject; these
authors/writer–scholars are Peggy McIntosh, a white feminist, and Beverly Tatum, an African AmericanPsychologist. McIntosh, in her article "Coming
to See Correspondences," makes excellent observations about the privilege that she has experienced just by being a white female in America. The two
most significant points made by McIntosh...show more content...
The concept of white privilege helps to highlight the hypocritical nature of the American ideologies of democracy and meritocracy. Ask yourself: Do
we live truly in a democratic system if the voices of our nation's disenfranchised people are not heard? Or are we truly a nation that functions on a
meritocratic system if every person–– regardless of socioeconomic background or race–– is not given the same opportunities for development? The
concepts of white privilege and male privilege, as used by McIntosh, are meant to unveil the hidden schemes of American ideology.
Beverly Tatum incorporates the concept of White privilege into her writing to address the fundamental issues surrounding racism. In "Defining
Racism," a chapter in Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria, Tatum defines racism as "a system of advantage based on race"
(P.6) In an accurate and inoffensive way she illustrates racism and extends it beyond the individual, placing blame on the greater American social
structure. Throughout the development of her definition she places great emphasis on the fact that racism, like sexism, is something exhibited by the
dominant group (whites/men) upon the subordinate group (people of color/women). She does this to demonstrate the structured aspect of racism as an
institutional norm and not necessarily something that is actively practiced by individuals. This approach is less offensive to whites and creates a
context for self awareness
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3. White Privilege Essay Examples
I am a white cisgendered, heterosexual male. I come from a middle to upper class family and live in a safe suburb with an excellent school system.
My parents both have college degrees and raising my sister and me and providing us with all the opportunities they could provide has always been a
high priority. Therefore, when I read Peggy McIntosh's White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack in one of my freshman English classes, I
could agree with the vast majority of conditions she lays out as conditions of white privilege. Additionally, my parents and many of my classmates do
not quite understand why I want to pursue a career studying the stereotypes and prejudice and the answer is not simple. It started early. In third grade, I
...show more content...
We shot hoops, played some video games, and our mothers met when Mrs. Smith came to pick him up. They chatted for a while and it was clear that
despite her initial hesitation, my mother seemed to like Peyton and his mother. Over the years, Peyton and I stayed friends, spent a good amount of
time together, and that first conversation was the last thing I heard from my mother about his race. Two years later, Peyton and I were taking a
science class together. We were both strong students and enjoyed competing against each other in classes, finding that we were very rarely more
than a few points off one another. After we both aced the first test, however, she accused Peyton of cheating off of me. Again, I was confused.
Peyton and I were equally strong students, if anything he had the edge on me in science. Why did the teacher assume he was cheating off of me? I
had no guesses, but Peyton did. After defending ourselves, we were both asked to retake the test in separate locations and both scored equally well yet
again. Throughout my friendship with Peyton, we continued to have similar experiences. Despite it, he was successful. He was captain of the
basketball team, made excellent grades, is now pre–med at Princeton University, and in all likelihood will go to graduate school to pursue his goal of
becoming a medical doctor. But I recognize that Peyton is incredibly lucky. Compared to many others, the prejudice he has faced has been minimal.
His parents are both
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4. Reflection on White Privilege Essay
Reflective Analysis #2 Peddy McIntosh highlighted various unearned white privileges in her autobiographical article "White Privilege, Color and
Crime: A Personal Account." She illustrated the white privilege as an invisible package of unearned assets that one white person could count on
cashing in each day. White people have these privileges given to them by the society in which they live in. The same society taught them to be
ignorant and unawareness of these privileges. This system of unearned privileges established by white individuals made people of color feel
oppressed. In this system being white is a norm and dominant power. Caucasians, who benefit most from the white privilege system in the United
States, are more likely to...show more content...
It is easier for a white person to fit in any community because majority of the communities are dominated by their race. For example, if a white person
moves in a new house, they are pretty sure greater parts of their neighbors are same race as them. When I moved in the United States many years
back, I felt left out and it was difficult for me to fit in because I was a minority. I was mocked by mostly white students about the way I dressed and
teased about being different from them. White students don't encounter these problems when they transfer from one school to another because they
figured majority of the students they'll be surrounded by will be same skin color as them. Another difficulty I had was shopping at a supermarket
was finding my cultural food. It won't be difficult for a white person to fit in a community and find similar food to their culture. A person doesn't
realize these privileges until they image themselves in color individuals' shoes. In conclusion, Peggy McIntosh pointed in her article, white privileges
don't come from an individual person or flaw of a person. White privileges arise from the flaw of the system placed in a society. Therefore, if we want
to change the society and equalize the privilege amongst whites and colors, then change must happen within the system. It is the system that influences
individuals to act upon in the society. A great way, we can demise
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5. White Privilege Essay
White privilege as I see it is an endowment bestowed to white people affording them unearned perks and benefits based solely on their ethnicity and
race. Moreover, these perks and benefits are not a privilege yielded to minorities.
For example: According to Peggy McIntosh (1988), there were privileges that that she enjoyed due to White privilege.
"* I can be pretty sure that my neighbors in such a location will be neutral or pleasant to me.
* I can be sure that my children will be given curricular materials that testify to the existence of their race.
* If a traffic cop pulls me over or if the IRS audits my tax return, I can be sure I haven't been singled out because of my race.
*Whether I use checks, credit cards or cash, I can count on my skin color not to work against the appearance of financial reliability. * I can go into a
music shop and count on finding the music of my race represented, into a supermarket and find the staple foods which fit with my cultural traditions,
into a hair dresser's shop and find someone who can cut my hair".
As an African American female I have been the subject of all of the above, however, it was not based on white privilege it was based on me being
African American and...show more content...
Shopping in an upscale store my credit limit has been questioned; a visit to a white salon would not afford me services. Most often white stylist are
unable to style or treat African American hair due to their lack of knowledge. In the event a white client visits an African American they can receive
services due to the African American stylist having the knowledge to style and treat all hair. White privilege is a subject that all might not agree on,
however through intelligent discussion from both an African American and white perspective an understanding and clear definition of white privilege
can be
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6. Speech On White Privilege
"Privilege is a set of unearned benefits given to people who fit into a specific social group".
"Any system of privilege–be it a family, a workplace, or a society–is organized around three basic principles: dominance, identification, and
centeredness".(1)
For example, "a system of white privilege, is white–dominated. which means the default is for white people to occupy positions of power".
White–dominance does not mean that ALL white people are powerful and it also does not guarantee only success for them or only failure for
everybody else. But – the powerful tend to almost always be white, and when a member of a 'non–dominant' group occupies a position of power, it will
be the exception to the rule, such as Barack Obama being called 'the black...show more content...
These different overlapping structures make it impossible to draw a distinct line between black and white, oppressed and privileged. Someone is not
simply oppressed or privileged: we are all simultaneously both by different aspects of our identities. I for example, am privileged as a caucasian, but
oppressed as a woman.
I am standing here today talking to you about this issue because I consider myself to be a very privileged person. I have received an internationally
acclaimed education, am of full physical and mental health and i have never had to worry for my safety because of my skin colour or religious
beliefs. I have been exposed to a multitude of cultures and ethnicities throughout my life which is why privilege is something that I have always been
very conscious of.
Now, unfortunately, in the current world, somehow, because somebody once said so, I have more opportunities in life than someone who is much
smarter and much more talented, but was born with a physical disability? Or born with a pigment in their skin? I, for one, do not see the logic behind
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7. White Privilege Research Paper
"I think whites are carefully taught not to recognize white privilege, as males are taught not to recognize male privilege." This statement took me
for a loop. I defiantly have no idea where this author is coming up with these ideas. I had to read a few lines down from this sentence to understand
that this is her own feelings and seems to have no facts backing her claim. To be honest, I don't even understand this statement "white privilege" or the
statement "male privilege." I have heard the terms before but really have never taken it seriously. So what is white privilege? "White privilege is the
ability for Whites to maintain an elevated status in society that masks racial inequality." (Wikipedia) So the same goes with male privilege. I
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8. Essay On White Privilege
In the mid 1960's the term "white privilege" was used to describe the legalized prejudice that favored whites. Around the same time, when prejudice
against race was made illegal, the term "white privilege" was extended to the extralegal prejudice that was still going on. This extralegal prejudice
can be defined as "conscious social efforts to separate whites from blacks in order to preserve the old legal world of white supremacy." (Bennet)
Today the term "white privilege" has morphed, and is often used without considering all aspects of a situation.
Today the term "white privilege" assumes that people only look at skin color. This concept does not look at the whole picture but maligns people
without intending because they are bitter about what they don't understand....show more content...
They are labels that only make up half of the person. These are also labels that are not usually called to account for the things that their privileges
allows them. Here are some examples.
Pretty Privilege–
The ability to get jobs simply because you're beautiful.
Being seen as the person to be around, for social status.
To exist without being judged as ugly and not worth anything because of it.
Male Privilege–
You can be at the top of a business without the assumption you slept your way to the top.
Your decisions capabilities in general will never be questioned depending on what time of the month it is.
Heterosexuality Privilege–
Being able to be sure that your roommate, hall mates and classmates will be comfortable with your sexual orientation.
My sexual orientation is not assumed to be a product of abuse, warped or psychological confusion.
My masculinity/femininity is not challenged because of my sexual orientation
Ableist Privilege–
Being able to be a pedestrian with about being perpetually worried you might not see the stop
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9. White Privilege Sociology
White privilege is a form of structural racism where whites are routinely advantaged while producing adverse outcomes for people of color such as
Blacks and Hispanics. White privilege is a historically based system which still exists in the United States (US). In my view, white privilege system
marked the beginning of racial inequality in the US. White privilege exists in the United States and is one of the contributing factors to the injustices
people with color are facing in the US.
White privilege is a unique form of racism given its fascinating characteristic of not involving hostility. Therefore, it cannot be directly blamed on
someone (Pludo, 2015). The lack of blame does not cause any discomfort on the white persons enjoying the privileges....show more content...
For instance, in a scenario when an injustice occurs when a white is favored against a nonwhite who is in a similar situation as the white person
(same social class, same education or same job skills). Neoliberalism has partly contributed to racial inequality in the US. The concept that the free
market is the best way to organize a society greatly favors the white (Pludo, 2015). However, the social formation needs not to be considered racist.
Although efforts have been made to fight white supremacy, nonwhites continue to face injustices based on their color. The US has made efforts
towards liberal multicultural era whereby white supremacy is obscured by certain events. The election of President Obama was a step towards liberal
multicultural era (Melamed, 2011). Obama's government made efforts to empower people with color in the US.
Whites are less likely to encounter with the police compared to African Americans. African Americans are twice likely to be arrested and almost four
times likely to experience the use of force during police encounters (Costly, 2011). As stated earlier, other sociological factors need to be eliminated to
attribute the high number of Black arrests to race. Poverty is known to be a predisposing factor for criminal acts according to the strain theory of
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