Disappointing White Privilege Thread

[jtown1123]

I am hoping to find some sanity here. The post in the general discussion about White Privilege is completely disheartening for a community like DU. So many posters completely denied white privilege exists and even went as far to say that there is "racism" against white folks. I guess denying there is a dominant culture and that white people make up and dictate that culture is the reason why this happens.

I first read Peggy McIntosh's "Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack" (http://academic.udayton.edu/williamrichards/Ethics%20essays/McIntosh,%20White%20Privilege.htm) in college and it seriously challenged me in a profound way. It opened my eyes to white privilege. I hope others will read this too.

[MineralMan]

1. What thread would that be?

Why not comment in that thread? I have no idea what you're talking about.

[jtown1123]

I did comment there but felt like I was talking to a brick wall

Here is the thread http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=439&topic_id=213&mesg_id=213

[LiberalLoner]

2. You'll find that many deny that females face any discrimination or any

hardships peculiar to their sex (shamefully high incidences of rape, molestation as children, etc.) here, too...

[whathehell]

3. Quite so...I can attest to it. n/t

[LiberalLoner]

4. On the other hand, I would say that the overwhelming majority of posters here are very nice

and most of them do hold truly progressive views and truly want to make this world a better place. But you still run into stuff, I guess on any board you visit.

[jtown1123]

5. Interesting. Thanks for the insight. I read Jezebel and there is a

similar issue when posts are about race (which happens a lot). I guess it just presents more opportunities to educate one another. I agree most posters are civil, but there was complete obliviousness that made me cringe in that thread.

[jtown1123]

6. Yeah. The idea of rape culture is pretty foreign to many people.

[Liberal_in_LA]

7. I didn't read the thread because i knew it would be filled with that kinda of stuff

[wikileaksfan]

8. The concept of "white privilege" is a political disaster

In the south it is now culturally unacceptable to be a Democrat, the vast majority of southern whites that I know (thousands) think they are discriminated against by the government in favor of non-whites. IMHO, in today's reichwing America the concept does more harm than good. Hell, most of these people think "Confederate" is an ethnic group.

[whathehell]

9. I just read the thread..

and the article by Peggy McIntosh...and I've got to say...Isn't it more like "majority" privilige ?


Do you think it would be different if another race comprised the majority?

[ProgressiveProfessor]

10. Key point

[whathehell]

11. The key point

is what..That it's a question of majority?

[ProgressiveProfessor]

12. The the argument being made is race indepedent

Also she overlooks what can happen in minority majority areas.

[noiretextatique]

13. call it whatever you want

the history and reality is very clear. the fact that some people resent the reality, i.e., privilege is NOT independent of race in this country explains why many the GOP attracts white southerners. the southern strategy continues to work because of the truly laughable and insane notion that white people deserve everything and people of color deserve nothing.

[whathehell]

14. "Call it whatever you want"?

We were simply trying to open up the discussion.

[Name removed]

15. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[ellenrr]

16. Anyone who doesn't recognize that White Privilege exists is an idiot

that's one problem with the white left, which most of the left is -
the american left has little concern about or knowledge of white privilege and racial oppression.

[Name removed]

17. Deleted message

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[ObamaFTW2012]

18. As a black man

who has lived in NYC, L.A., and South Carolina, I have seen racism committed by and against every racial group there is. While disturbing, it is nothing compared to the honorable relations I have seen and experienced. Interestingly, I experienced more racism in NYC than SC.

As for "white privilege", I think it's an interesting theory. I haven't seen it myself. I've heard about it, but only from 2 groups - black folks who want to make excuses for their own failures, and white people who suffer from sort of "white guilt" complex.

You know who really has the privilege in America? the children of rich lawyers. All they have to do is avoid any major screw-ups in life, and daddy will get them graduated from a good college and employed at a law firm, and if they work a little you'll know their name when they run for office. THAT'S privilege.

[Taverner]

19. I've seen it. In Oakland, CA no less.