Guidelines/Requirements:
1) Write a 50 - 100 word exegetical sentence (critical analysis, explanation, interpretation) that captures the essence of the readings. Which of the three reading stood out most to you and why?
2) Cognitive and Emotional Response: Describe both your cognitive and emotional responses to the reading(s). What did these readings bring up for you? Where there statements made that you could connect to and agree with? Where there claims that made you uncomfortable? Why?
3) Identifying any significant insights that you took away from the reading and/or class discussion (e.g. something you learned, a comment made in class that left an impression, a paradigm shift, etc.).
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ReplyDeleteI like the being versus feeling point that you make in #1 above.
Delete1. The essence of these readings seems to be that most white people benefit from a lot of unacknowledged privileges that society has bestowed upon them. There were several lists of things that most white people do constantly without even realizing that some other people do not have the same experience. I have a lot of problems with some of the things mentioned in these readings, but one thing that did ring true was the list of things that white people take for granted.
ReplyDelete2. I had a very strong reaction to these readings. I do understand and agree with the point that some white people enjoy certain benefits that others do not, I just think that it can be carried a little too far in the wrong direction. The readings don't seem to allow for the fact that individual experiences vary widely, and it is just not the case that any given white person has any type of advantage over any given black person. For example, go tell the white guy living in a trailer park working a dead end job at some gas station, with no hope to improve his situation in life, how lucky and privileged he is to be white. Conversely, I'm sure Clarence Thomas does not have much difficulty in getting his credit approved. I want to make it clear that this is not out of self-interest, ie, I have no problem acknowledging that I have received benefits from society that I may not have deserved. For me the problem comes in when trying to identify specifically what I currently have that I do not deserve to have.
3. It seems to me that there are only two ways of dealing with this issue. Number one, remove all the undeserved privileges that white people have, or two, give those same privileges to everyone else. As I said in class, I do not believe that something like using a credit card, or some other basic things that were on the list, are really privileges. They are just things that everyone should be able to do, and so we are left with the things on the list that are clearly privileges, such as the manager of an establishment being the same race as you. This is clearly a mostly white privilege at this point, but the question of how to resolve it is tricky. It doesn't seem like there is any blanket law that could be passed, that hasn't been passed already, to prevent discrimination in hiring. I think that large-scale solutions to this problem will not be found through legislation, but instead through winning hearts and minds as it were, eradicating the idea of racism. I think the solution will only be upon us when we can be truly colorblind, and just take each person as an individual rather than part of a quota.
Fitz Green
DeleteI liked your response because it made me think about things in my own life that could be considered rights or privileges, and the significant difference in those connotations.
1. The central argument of the readings was that white individuals in our society unknowingly receive a number of benefits that are not awarded to members of other races based on their whiteness. This "white privilege" gives white individuals an unfair advantage in a number of areas such as social perceptions of socioeconomic status. As a white male, I'd never thought much about this before and though I disagreed with some of the arguments made, the readings did make me consider the advantages that I may have received because of my race.
ReplyDelete2. These readings were of particular interest to me. I'd never thought much about how my race had impacted my life before and to be told that I had received benefits that I had not deserved based solely on my race was difficult to hear. No one likes to hear that they don't deserve something that they have or that others are oppressed as they maintain an unfair advantage. I took issue with some of the claims that were made in this piece. For example, I think the authors incorrectly conflated socioeconomic status with race on issues such as obtaining a credit card or a loan. Additionally, the claims were, for the most part, anecdotal. I would have liked to have seen some more concrete evidence for these claims. However, if any of the claims are true, its a travesty that we should be embarrassed as a nation about. We are supposed to be a nation built on the idea that if you work hard, you have the chance to succeed. Race should never unfairly oppress or support someone.
3. As I've mentioned, I've never thought much about this issue before. Maybe I should have. I'd like to think that I've earned everything that I've ever gotten but to do so would be awfully naive. As to how we should fix this issue, that is where the matter becomes far more complicated. Typically, legislating something isn't the way to extinguish a behavior, a lesson that we learned the hard way during prohibition. Real change happens when societal attitudes change. It's a difficult task, but as we see more minorities represented in the media, business, and government, hopefully we can work towards the type of society that we deserve as a nation. Maybe that's too idealistic and maybe I have too much faith in humanity's ability to treat each other the way that they deserve. Hopefully, that trust is not misplaced.
1. The white privilege readings dealt with a discussion of one of society’s greatest “unspokens”, and that is the concept of white privilege. White privilege is a certain advantage or position that white Americans possess. For instance, as a white person I am afforded certain advantages and privileges by the mere fact that I am white and I am the majority. Thus the opportunities I have had in my life may and most likely have been impacted by my whiteness and the privilege of that whiteness. This privilege the readings termed as the “big secret” of being white, a secret or rather a truth that many white people choose to ignore. They are more apt to recognize the victimization of minorities rather than the glorification of theirs. It is an awkward and uncomfortable concept that many white people reject yet directly competes with white opposition to affirmative action. White people may be angered by affirmative action, may crusade for a meritocracy, but they in fact are not recognizing that in a sense, white people have had a form of affirmative action since the beginning of this country. I honestly cannot pick a favorite reading from these chapters because for me all of them are extremely connected, each builds off of the other, each is a part of the greater concept of white privilege that I have come to understand.
ReplyDelete2. My initial response was the predicted awkwardness; I am uncomfortable with being told by anyone that I may not have earned what I have achieved, that it may be attributed to something other than my hard work. Yet, I was forced to take a step back and look at my life. I am a white female, born into an upper middle class family. I went to private school for both elementary and high school. I have only had jobs over the summer when I am not in school and not because I have had to but rather because I need something to do. I never have to think about what would happen to me if my life took a harsh turn because I know I have a family and a stable home to fall back on. This is my white privilege rearing its formidable head. I am privileged. I know that and I have accepted that I am privileged in a socioeconomic way, but I am now recognizing the way my race has privileged me as well. Why have I been so resistant to affirmative action? Is it not inherently based in some sort of racism or prejudice or discrimination to refuse affirmative action? Why should I be so against helping others that are underrepresented? Why am I so apt to deny them a place in my world? Honestly I cannot come up with an appropriate answer to any of those questions and thus I have changed my view. Not because I am inconstant but rather I never gave the concept a true thought before.
3. From the class discussion, I was able to better refine this solidification of opinion. I was able to hear other points of view, from both sides, and take a critical look at those points of view. I do not completely agree with the affirmative action system as it stands now, in the sense that I feel it needs to be revamped, in a way I do not know how. I do also think that at some point we should be looking to target those foundational areas that engender lack of privilege in minorities, such as home-life and education. Yet, as far as an immediate step taken to address some of the imbalance, affirmative action is the right step.
1. The main point if these three articles is a pretty simple one. It is that white people are privileged in all aspects of society, without realizing it. The argument is that white people often dont notice or think about the privilege they receive based on their race, while acknowledging that other minority groups are a disadvantage. Whether intentional or not, white people do not acknowledge their "whiteness" and the privileges that come with it. That is not to say they don't recognize the disadvantages that minorities have, but rather they do not acknowledge the privilege.
ReplyDelete2. I have to admit that I never have really thought about the advantages I have gained from being a white, middle class woman in today's society. Since this discussion took place however, I have started to be more cognizant of my situation in society. I recognize that I grew up with a lot of privileges and luxuries that many people never experience. I have always been aware that I have led a pretty fortunate life, but haven't taken it as seriously as I should have. There are definitely instances where I can go back and see how my race was an advantage to me, and how that is extremely unfair. I understand that their are disadvantages and have always found them appalling, but I have not given the same amount of thought to the advantages, that can make society just as appalling. I think that acknowledging privilege and disadvantages are equally important, and something that more people should strive to think about when looking at these readings.
3. I know that realizing my specific societal situation is not the answer to the problem. Everyone else needs to recognize it as well for true change to take place in society. Societal change is something that takes years to happen and sometimes it needs to be enacted through legislation. Ideally, most people would not like this to happen, but realistically, it gets things done and can be the catalyst for society to truly change. Something needs to actually happen, not just someone wishing something would happen and hoping for the best. I thought these readings tied into the affirmative action readings nicely, as they provided a unique framework to view the affirmative action legislation in. The readings provide perspective for people who feel very disconnected from that issue. Affirmative action can be an example of legislation helping to create societal change that I mentioned before. Although some may disagree, I dont see an option that would be better suited to do this.
I agree with your point that you realizing your own privilege won't fix the aggregate problem. It needs to be widely discursively acknowledged & accepted that white privilege exists and needs to be dealt with on all levels from institutional to social & everything else!
DeleteI agree with that point too, though it is important to realize it none the less. In 2012 it's still hard to change the socially constructed perceptions of a nation where voting rights for blacks were established on paper in 1870 but not upheld in most states the 60's. This is why affirmative action cas such an important role to play (whether its judged on race or socioeconomic status). I feel that because the aggregate isn't likely to acknowledge white privilege in a unified way overnight, affirmative action has to exist to compensate for it.
Delete1. These writings dealt specifically with the “white privilege” that is experienced by white people in relation to other races in the United States. The writings attempt to reveal how white privilege, though not always noticed, effects almost all interactions that people have with each other. The reading that stood out to me the most was the third writing, White Privilege Shapes the U.S. by Robert Jensen. In it, Jensen outlines exactly how ingrained white privilege is in the United States, by showing how white people can benefit from this unearned privilege, but still deny its significance.
ReplyDelete2. As a representative of the white, male, and Christian population I’ve never consciously considered myself benefitting from white privilege. I would like to think that I would be able to function in American society no matter what race I was, but after reading the benefits that Penny McIntosh listed in her writings I started to realize exactly how much my white privilege benefits me. During the time we were reading these white privilege essays I was going through the process of renting a house for next year. I did not think of it at the time, but absolutely everyone whom I dealt with in the process of getting the house was white. After reading the white privilege writings I realized that while I may not have recognized this at the time, being the same race as everyone I dealt with may have made it a little easier for me to get my house where as someone of another race may have had a harder time.
I can definitely agree with the general consensus of the writings that white privilege is something that exists and it continues keep the playing field unbalanced. However, in my personal example that I stated above, I do not believe that my experience in renting a house would be greatly changed had I dealt with someone of a different race while I was looking for somewhere to live. Personally, I do not think that it is only race that determines how one is treated in circumstances such as this. While race is definitely a factor, I feel that my age and my gender would have a much greater impact on my ability to get a house, because adults do not want to deal with people whom they consider younger and probably less intelligent than themselves. So what I am saying is that I believe race is definitely a factor in how people are treated, but I do not believe that it is always the strongest factor in any circumstance. Gender, sexuality, and economic class can all have a huge effect on how we are received by others. I also believe that the person who benefits from the social imbalance depends on the situation. For example, it might give one person more credibility when they address a black audience if they are black themselves, so I do not think it is fair to say that white privilege only works one way.
3. (continued) These readings without a doubt exposed to me that I have been benefitting from white privilege for my entire life, and will continue to do so for as long as I live. I think that an interesting question that was proposed during class is that now we know that there is a thing such as white privilege, what can we do about it? We have determined that white privilege makes the playing field uneven, but is affirmative action enough to even it? Does affirmative action in a way enforce white privilege by allowing the belief that minorities only got to positions of power because of handouts? I feel that recognizing white privilege exists is a lot like Rawls’s veil of ignorance thought experiment. While the message behind it is important, there is not much translation over into actual practice unless we can find a way to even the playing field. Personally, I feel that affirmative action is a good place to start, but this can only force the field to be even. In order for the playing field to be truly even there needs to be a radical shift in the way people think in US culture. Unfortunately, it is very similar to altering consumer behavior, which is nearly impossible to do, and it takes a very long time to do it. I do think though, that recognizing white privilege exists is a good step in altering the existing view on race. Humans are creatures of habit, so it is going to take a long time to adjust their thinking on big issues such as this, but raising awareness to concerns like white privilege may be the best method to changing it.
Delete1. The main point of the white privilege writings is to show how the privileged of the culture don’t always recognize that they are privileged. The way that “white people” are given certain advantages that they don’t necessarily recognize and presumably don’t think about. This point reveals an ignorance and society, but more importantly brings up questions as to what the obligations those in a privileged situation are.
ReplyDelete2. Being an Asian born in America, I haven’t really experienced much oppression or really thought about white people being privileged. That being said, I can understand why people would be against being called privileged versus other people being oppressed. Mostly due to it affecting the majority of the class, it is difficult to accept that maybe the position that you’re in was not rightfully earned. Of course, it does seem strange that it is easier to accept that others are simply being put down rather than your group is being pushed up. Personally, I believe that if one accepts that there is oppression, then privilege must exist elsewhere and if oppression does not affect one group that in itself puts that group into a privileged state. For example, even though I am not white and my race is not really in the majority, I recognize that I am significantly better off than quite a few people and perhaps a lot of that is not of my own doing, but of factors out of my control. However, I also recognize that there are people who are even more privileged than I am, and so relative to them, I am being oppressed. It is here that we get to the concept of “white privilege” and how when we say whites have privileges, it is relative to other oppressed groups, or at least that’s how I see it. Again, it is understandable for “whites” to be defensive when it seems that other groups are “accusing” them of having privileges that they had no say in receiving. In addition, people do have a want to be recognized for being where they are due to their own talents and not that if they didn’t have some inherent racial advantage, there would be someone else in their spot and they would be in a lower class or whatever. I agree with the article in that it exists, but feel that it’s really ingrained heavily into the societal institution and so even if pointed out, would be difficult to remove without a gigantic overhaul that would most likely simply require an amazingly long time without any guarantee that a new system would solve anything given that the people creating it were raised in the current one.
3. This then brings us to what insight I have gathered due to these articles. It is fairly clear that there is some sort of white privilege present in this country. The question then becomes, what does the privileged class do about it? Personally, I feel as though there is no obligation for those who are privileged to do anything. I don’t oppose them doing something, but because they don’t do anything does not paint a negative picture of them. It is not their fault that they have white privilege just like it is not anyone’s fault that they are oppressed due to race. However, institutional racism is not, or ever will be, an ideal part of the grand machine of society. And so it is up to the general population to decide what occurs and not just to push responsibility upon the privileged because it makes no sense for those in a greater position to deliberately lessen themselves. As far as what I believe it would take for such a shift to occur, I would imagine some sort of catastrophe and subsequent revolution of ideas would have to be undergone in order to radically change anything. Until then, I think people should just do what they believe is right and live without regrets.
1. All of these readings tackled the topic of white privilege from a white person’s viewpoint and personal experience. The readings made it clear that whiteness is considered beneficial in American society and that whites live their everyday lives with silent advantages. This upper-hand has become so normal and socially acceptable that white people are taught to be oblivious to it. I especially enjoyed Peggy McIntosh’s piece, “White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack.” I liked her analogy of white privilege being like an invisible knapsack that whites carry around that contains all of the “special provisions, maps, passports, codebooks, visas, clothes, tools, and blank checks” that they benefit from.
ReplyDelete2. Prior to these readings, I was already aware of white privilege. It just seems like white people do not get questioned as much as people of color. It was interesting to read McIntosh’s list and imagine if I could also have not have to subconsciously think about some of those things. I never even thought of the reality of the “flesh” colored band-aid. (I also realized that my mom only ever bought the cartoon ones as kids). White privilege of course calls into question meritocracy, which, in my opinion is a partial myth. It is also coincidental that we are currently discussing affirmative action in class. It is fascinating to think that white people probably rarely get asked if they attend a university because of an athletic scholarship. Some of my high school classmates think that I got into Penn State solely because of my race. However, I’m sure Penn State also denied a lot of black people. I like to think that I earned my spot to some degree, just as I believe that my white classmates are not here solely because of their whiteness.
3. Something that stuck with me from the class discussion was when TJ was talking about leasing a house. He talked about how he realized later that throughout the entire process he dealt only with people of his race. When he went to go see the house, Middle-Eastern people were living there. It is interesting to think about how the current tenants may have been dealt with and how they felt throughout the process and contrast it with how TJ felt. All of the white people in the class were uncomfortable with the word privilege which is understandable. But what is the solution to treat everyone fairly? A different kind of socialization, perhaps, changing how we view each other. It is no quick fix.
I agree with your point that there is no quick fix to being.. well, truly color blind (in a non-discriminatory sense.) I think it has everything to do with how one is raised. Although I lived in a town that was basically 100% upper class white, my mother was raised in a very diverse urban area that was composed almost entirely of various minorities. She taught my siblings and I to be colorblind and it is quite clear in our choices of people to engage with in college that race and ethnicity do not play a role in the selection process. I think true universal acceptance has to be socialized and instilled in an individual's mind from childhood.
DeleteBrooke -
DeleteI just wanted to address your comment about band-aids. The first time I was exposed to this was in Sam Richards' class, Soc 119. I had never thought about what color my band-aides were when I got hurt, only that they were there to cover up my cuts and scratches. I always loved when we had the cartoon band-aids, but never considered that a parent would consciously make the choice to by those band-aids for other reasons than because they're more fun for kids. Thanks for sharing that!
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ReplyDelete3.) My most significant insight from discussion was that of the resistance of some of my classmates and myself to accept the idea of White Privilege. It was an insight because in realizing my resistance to the idea, I actually began accepting it. This was important because it allowed for the examination of ways in which I personally benefit from being white.
DeleteAnother idea which was made apparent to me through our discussion was the resistance to race-based affirmative action coupled with the simultaneous acceptance of the perks of being a member of a dominant group (read: white). I thought about this apparent contradiction a lot after class. It intrigued me because I could not understand how some people (myself included, to some extent) could attempt to take advantage of a phenomenon which they attempt to exclude others from. I came to the conclusion that it is because of my knowledge and experience being situated in my whiteness. To me, the advantages I receive as a result of being white are implicit. Conversely, the advantages gained by minorities through programs like Affirmative Action are explicit. I am emphatically opposed to any sort of special treatment based on race, and due to the implicit nature of white privilege, I have failed to notice or put my finger on my own special treatment. These privileges differ from those conferred on minorities in that I can definitely say that Affirmative Action is one example of a special treatment—I can put my finger on it. Implicit vs. Explicit.
Finally, I struck by my classmates apparent dislike and aversion to Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. It seemed to me that members of the class felt as if Justice Thomas was obligated to support affirmative action because he may have benefited from it in some way. I do not think that because someone potentially benefited from something they are therefore required to support it. Are students of Penn State obligated to support Joe Paterno because we have benefited from the success of his football program?
1.) In White Privilege, authors Allan Johnson, Peggy McIntosh, and Robert Jensen unpack the often unexplored idea of the advantages conferred on white people. Too often, they argue, the discourse on race is focused on the oppression of minority groups and women. Instead, the authors examine ways in which society elevates the status of white people, particularly white men.
DeleteIn When Affirmative Action Was White, author Ira Katznelson lays out a brief and informative history of Affirmative Action. Katznelson further outlines a few early watershed moments in the history of AA, such as if formulation within the Johnson administration, within court cases like Griggs v. Duke Power Co,and within government plans such as the New Deal and the GI Bill. The piece provides valuable context and background for the White Privilege reading as well as any study or discussion of Affirmative Action
Finally, in the Supreme Court opinions by Justices O’Connor and Thomas, the Supreme Court wrestled with the notion of using race as a consideration in higher education. The Court ultimately found that the state of Michigan had a compelling interest in ensuring a racially diverse student body and that race could be used as “a plus,” in the admissions process. The majority opinion was penned by Justice O’Connor. Justice Thomas authored a dissenting opinion in which he argued that there was no compelling interest for the state of Michigan to have an elite law school, and that UC Berkley, arguably a better law school, was able to maintain its “elite” status without consideration of race in the admissions process.
2.) Upon first reading of White Privilege I was resistant to many of the ideas within it. I think exploring the other side of racism (ie. the ways in which white people enjoy a higher status) is an extremely interesting and important exercise. I, like one of the authors, had never been exposed to that line of thinking. To be sure, I do agree that I am provided with some benefits which females or minorities are not. But much like Duncan, I do not believe this is an all or nothing condition. In practice, this privilege is a spectrum. I am inclined to argue that these lines of privilege run more along the economic class lines than race lines (though admittedly, they are intimately intertwined).
Ted -
DeleteI like your point about privilege being a spectrum as opposed to a black and white issue. I think if we thought of it more as a spectrum, people would be less resistant to accepting their various "privileges" as it were. Unfortunately the discussions seem to most often be of the nature "I am privileged and you are not" instead of "I am privileged in these ways and you are privileged in those ways."
1. The white privilege readings addressed the idea that whites are granted a sort of privilege that we are not even aware of and most of the time do not feel. However, not feeling privilege does not make us any less privileged. The readings also addressed definitions of oppression and how certain groups can and cannot be oppressed. Among the types of oppression addressed were gender, sexuality, and race, the most poignant of which was race. The first reading stood out the most, because it made very blunt claims about what the definition of oppression is and how the definition understood by the author should be accepted and applied by all people to oppressive situations. It left me with questions about oppressors and the oppressed as well as some confusion about the definition of "social facts.
ReplyDelete2. These readings (the first one in particular) struck a chord with me, because I disagreed with the definitions that were given for oppression. I have no problem with the idea that certain groups of people are oppressed, but when the author said that society cannot oppress a certain group of people, he kind of lost me. Society most certainly can oppress people. Society oppresses the obese. You can argue that thin people oppress the obese, but to my knowledge this isn't necessarily true. Institutions and society oppress the obese. I can connect with the idea that white privilege exists and I have benefited from it, but I also think that I have benefited more from class privilege than white privilege. But perhaps my class privilege is derived from the fact that my ancestors were white too. On another note, I thought it was interesting that different types of privilege exist that we don't even know about or consider until someone else brings them to our attention. It seems that for the author of the second piece, the privilege that she had not considered was in fact white privilege. I agreed with some of the statements on her list of 25, but I also think many of those statements can be approached from the perspective of different types of privilege besides being white. Emotionally, I was annoyed by the first piece, and rather intrigued by the other two. They each certainly offered different food for thought.
3. I thought our discussions about general privilege were the most interesting. I shared an experience about a type of privilege that had been bestowed on me by someone else that I did not want to claim and I wondered how much we feel this distance from the privilege others perceive us to have. Of course there is a degree of discomfort when one entertains the idea that they did not earn what they have, but if we are going to discuss things like affirmative action, we must also discuss things like nepotism. If we are going to accept the fact that certain people are going to get ahead because of who they know and not based on their own merit, then should we not also accept the fact that some people will not have opportunities unless they are granted some sort of equality? Affirmative action, it seems is a policy that attempts to equally situate everyone, so that we all have similar opportunities. Are quotas wrong? Yes, quotas are wrong. But so is the fact that I was born into a situation that I had no control over, where I was set up for success and other people are born into situations where success will be very difficult to achieve. I have digressed more into class privilege than white privilege, but the point is that there are always two and many times more sides to an issue and if we are going to discuss white privilege and affirmative action, it is imperative that the discussion includes all sides of the issue.
1) The white privilege readings addressed issues that are often swept under the rug, such as the practice of white privilege and its often-unacknowledged place in our society. They discussed how an individual’s whiteness situates them in a favorable light when experiencing life’s advantages and privileges. They emphasized how whiteness is treated as a sort of secret, and how people benefitting on behalf of their whiteness are more likely to recognize the oppression of minorities than they are to notice the privilege or even supremacy of their own. I wouldn’t say that I enjoyed or connected with any one reading more than the others; I think they all corresponded with each other nicely.
ReplyDelete2) My cognitive response to the readings was that they do make sense. I have always been grateful for my social class, as my parents have worked extraordinarily hard to get to where they are today (their parents were far less successful,) but I never really felt privileged on behalf of my whiteness. I attributed all the luxuries and opportunities in my life to my social position rather than to the fact that I am white. I suppose this may also have been because I am first generation in this country so I never thought of my family as truly American, and there is some stigma that label carries as well (especially my hometown which is highly homogenous, white upper class.) I knew that black people are discriminated against and I always felt strongly opposed to that, but I never thought of their discrimination in relation to my own position of favor. If the readings enacted any emotional response it may have been one of guilt for not being cognizant of the privilege I’ve had based on color alone. The only point I would like to raise is that the readings may have painted all white people to be on the receiving end of privilege without accounting for other strong factors such as social class. I think that an upper class black person is much more socially advantaged than a lower class white person who doesn’t have access to any resources or opportunities. I think there is a degree of nepotism involved (as we discussed in class) that situates people in society and determines a lot for them that reaches beyond race alone.
3) I feel that I gained significant insight into white opposition of affirmative action. I never realized that white people have been on the receiving end of a type of beneficial affirmative action for hundreds of years. White people fight for a meritocracy because meritocracy as we know it enacts this type of white affirmative action but doesn’t acknowledge it. The fact that this never even occurred to me before these readings highlights the concept that the privileged do not focus on their own advantages as much as they do on the disadvantages of other groups.
1. The “White Privilege” reading, which is composed of three different chapters by three different white authors, all focus on the privileges that white people are afforded, solely based on the fact that they are white. The readings emphasize that this privilege is one that white people typically are not aware of, and therefore, they do not view themselves as being privileged. Instead, they are just capable of understanding that others, namely minorities, are disadvantaged. I would say that overall, I found the entire collection of readings to be interesting. This notion of white privilege is one that I never really considered before. Being a minority, I’ve always been able to see how those of the minority group were disadvantaged in some areas within society. Yet, while I was always aware that white people seemed to be afforded certain opportunities, I never thought of it on such a day-to-day scale. Typically, I would think about things on a broader scale, like employment or admissions into institutions of higher learning, but not something as simple as paying for groceries with a credit card. If I had to pinpoint a reading that I enjoyed the most, it would be Peggy McIntosh’s “White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack” because she highlights some ordinary situations that white people might encounter on a regular basis where their race is not a factor. This was interesting to me because I truly never considered most of these 26 points she mentions.
ReplyDelete2. Once I began the readings and it mentioned some points, if anything, it just made me more aware of situations I may have experienced in my own life where white privilege was prevalent but I just did not notice it. Or maybe I did notice it but did not want to accept it as true. Personally, I tend to try to give people the benefit of the doubt. Furthermore, as an African-American female, I guess I am sometimes fearful of being placed in the category of an “angry black woman” so I would rather be a little passive than to be so aggressive at times. It’s not necessarily the best tactic, but I have been taught to choose my battles and sometimes I do not think it is worth it to argue every point that I do not agree with. At any rate, I appreciated the fourth chapter by Robert Jensen. It more directly addressed affirmative action (in the beginning at least) and I loved that Jensen made a commitment to discussing white privilege more openly, considering affirmative action tends to bring up ill feelings for whites at times. As we mentioned in class, whites have benefited from a form of affirmative action for the longest and no one has ever made a big argument about it. However, when it comes to trying to level the playing field some for minorities, whites are suddenly displeased. None of the statements made me particularly uncomfortable.
3. One of the comments from class that really stuck with me was something I alluded to in my response to question 2 regarding white people and their privilege throughout history. I typically dislike conversations about affirmative action, race, etc. because it does get so complicated and emotionally charged. I believe that policies like affirmative action are necessary to try to level the playing field for minorities. Yet, I really find it so hard to believe that white people are actually up in arms, at times, in regards to affirmative action policies. I find that the least they can do is be okay with minorities being afforded the opportunities that they are offered. But again, I guess it goes back to the main point that the reading was trying to address; since white people are not aware of their own privilege, they do not see affirmative action as leveling the playing field, but offering minorities an opportunity that they do not have.
1. The main argument of the white privilege readings is that white people receive benefits in their everyday lives that they are usually unaware of. Instead, they tend to focus on the victimization of minorities. The upshot of this is that white privilege is an insidious factor that is institutionalized into American society, government and culture that needs to be recognized.
ReplyDelete2. For me, these readings generated a response of thinking of the specific examples where I have had advantages as a white male in this society. The one example that kept coming to my mind was in the area of education. I feel like I have had one of the best educations that money can buy. In high school, my parents took me out of the more racially diverse, poorer public school system and put me in a whiter, richer private Catholic school. I gained an amazing education at this Jesuit school. But the fact that there were only a handful of minorities at my high school tells the story: white people tend to have privileges that minorities don't have access to. These readings made me conscious of this fact, which hopefully will make me more sensitive to the fact that I am extremely fortunate to have had these advantages and should work to make sure that these privileges are enjoyed by all.
3. The comments that made the biggest impact for me were made by Duncan. I thought his questioning of the distinction between privileges and rights was very intriguing. Should being able to use a credit card without a cashier being suspicious be considered a right or a privilege? In other words, should something that is a everyday occurrence and part of modern day life be open and available to everyone? I think Duncan's point here was that these types of so-called white privileges should instead be considered rights that are applicable across race, class, and gender. The fact that they are considered privileges is an error in wording and can convey the message that they are benefits open only to a small number of people.
3.
1) Social constructs have lead to a status of white privilege where individuals are granted special privileges on the basis of race alone. Individuals who have been raised under the pretexts of white privilege often don’t recognize their own privileged status in society. Affirmative action, on the other hand, is designed to provide some sort of “corrective justice” to compensate members of ‘a deprived group’ for pervious loses experienced as a result of bias, prejudice, or discrimination—mainly due to exclusion from a status of white privilege.
ReplyDelete2) I really liked how both readings played off each other. It was very important to my personal understanding to start with an examination of my own white privilege. I had never confronted the issue of why my own racially privileged existence was so uncomfortable to think about. After struggling with it, though, I came to a comfortable resolve. I feel that I’ve come to terms with the fact that (especially in my child hood, having been raised where I was) I did not earn all of the opportunities I was given. Some of them were given to me because I fit the profile of an applicant with the most potential for success; it’s entirely possible that some of that profile was racially charged. I do, however, feel that I should use the privilege I’ve already been granted to its fullest potential while also supporting a leveling of the playing field. This is why I came to value the discussions on affirmative action so highly.
3) I’m not sure who brought up Morgan Freeman’s quote “if you want to end racism, stop making everything about race,” but that sentiment really stuck with me. I feel that all races should be granted the same privilege as white individuals experience in current social constructs. In order to accomplish this, I feel that policy designed to deliver corrective justice to members of a ‘deprived’ group is needed. Theoretically, any human being could be included in the ‘deprived group’, but affirmative action policies have come to judge membership based on race. It was at this point when I began to question why policy designed to end racial discrimination perpetuated racial discrimination in its design. Further, if judging membership based on race was really achieving the desired ends. Maybe judging membership based on socioeconomic status would be a better approach.
1. The main focus of these three articles is of course race. However these articles are more contemporary, and therefore are more interesting than contemplating whether or not a dead philosopher was racist or not. This is not a criticism on our analysis of the philosophers, but rather just an observation that conversation about these current topics have gotten more poignant and topical. The essence of these reading may seem a bit dispersed, one taking about white privilege, the other affirmative action. However the common essence is showing how the controversy of race is still very high. The article that I enjoyed the most was the “White Privilege” reading. The reason behind this is because it introduced a concept that I never took into consideration much; the idea of white privilege.
ReplyDelete2. From this reading, it was interesting to read about what the writer is thankful for, such as being able to us a credit card without suspicion, learn of her culture and race is history, race will not hinder legal or medical care, taking a job and not being questioned about the means that you received that position, etc. Looking deeper into this, I found that most of the analysis that the author gave, in this particular section, was true. Whenever we look at the stereotypes out there about different races, many are still vary present and very negative toward those that are minorities. Being white, no matter how tough it is to say it, is a privilege.
3. From the discussion in class, various people did not want to agree with the notion that being white is a privilege. The argument behind this was that “white privilege” is not a privilege, but merely a standard that people should be treated. Along with that, it is unfortunate other races possibly treated less than this standard, but that does not make being white a privilege. I disagree with this notion. By definition, a privilege is a right or immunity granted as a peculiar benefit or advantage. From this, it is easy to see that being white is a privilege, no matter that fact that all people should be treated at the same standard. The fact is that other races are not treated at the same standard; thereby whites are given these benefits and advantages solely based on race; thereby constituting a privilege. Nobody wants to say they were given an advantage in life, that somehow they didn’t make it to where they are only by merit. Yet, just by saying we do not agree with something does not make it disappear. I don’t want to believe in white privilege, but the facts are hard to suppress.
These readings seek to identify what white privilege is and how it works in contemporary American society. The reading that stood out the most to me was the McIntosh piece. For some reason, reading a list of privileges blows the lid off of so many little things one experiences, many of which I might have not even noticed in experience.
ReplyDeleteThe readings brought me back to certain moments in my life where I asked myself, would this have happened to me if I were white? But in all honesty, this subject arouses nothing but a by now tamed frustration. Frustration when I walked early into class the day we were to discuss this reading to hear a group of people overtly express how little they cared or wanted to discuss white privilege; frustration at the complete silence of all the colored students, including myself, in the class during the discussion, in case no one noticed. What I took from the readings combined with the class experience is that not only is white privilege unseen by white people, white people actively defend this privilege in an intrinsically social way. What they say and how they act changes depending on the presence of non whites. It's very much a political behavior.
The most significant insight I got from these readings is the implications and arguments it has for affirmative action. The idea of the status quo being a level playing field is no surprise put on its head. This idea that AA levels an unleveled playing field is the most powerful argument for AA and is the most positive argument I took out of these readings. But as the reading later emphasizes, white privilege has the power to ignore itself. Wich goes back to my idea of a tamed frustration: it's tamed because I've learned to laugh at the pointlessness of a lamb telling an eagle how it shouldn't bite on its flesh. I'd rather grow a wider pair of wings and fly higher than was thought possible.
Thanks for sharing and for your honesty. One note, the term "person of color" is preferred to "colored person" (as the latter is considered offensive by many).
Delete1. In reading these articles it seems to bring light on the unrecognized privilege and benefits of whites. Looking back on the readings “Unpacking the invisible knapsack” stood out the most for me. In this article there were several listings of things that a lot of whites have an advantage over without even realizing it. For example the list of 26 benefits hit the nail on the head an explaining how whites over look some privileges.
ReplyDelete2. I had a neutral reaction to these readings because I was already made aware of the benefits of certain groups. Its a fact that a lots of whites enjoy and take advantage of a lot of benefits, which others do not have, the privilege of having. As pointed out in “Privilege as Paradox” oppression plays a pretty big role in privilege and in order for one group to progress another most stay oppressed and categories as a reference group.
3. In respond to a solution in help fixing this problem I guess I am going to precede by agreeing to affirmative action. By having this in place it will help even the playing field for minorities and women. Because if you look back after the World War two affirmative action was white and the white war vents preserved the benefits, having the opportunity to receive funding to enroll into college, buy their own homes, open family business etc. so my views on this will be to allow affirmative action to be in place because at the end of the day it’s not like its something whites never had before.