Fuck yes.

[trinityvixen]

It doesn't have to be white privilege. Privilege is just as insidious in any form, but because our country's class imbalance skews along color lines (predominantly, though, of course, there are exceptions), it often manifests as racial.

Read the whole thing because it's brilliant.

Comments

[fairest.livejournal.com]

Have you read this essay on white privilege? I found it very enlightening.

[shell524.livejournal.com]

I did find that rather enlightening. So many things I've never even thought of, and so many things I find ridiculous because I just don't THINK that way about other people. Also, in re-reading it (which I should do, every so often) I find that some of the things are not even pure "White" privilege, but specifically "White, MALE" privilege. I'm thinking specifically about #20. Just change it to gender, and voila. "You know, you do math well.... for a GIRL."

[trinityvixen.livejournal.com]

#20 is especially bad for women. It's like when someone goes, "You're one hell of a woman." Oh, right, because the majority of women are mediocre, substandard, or uninteresting in any way. The "I'm a credit to my [minority/biased against group]" is one of the most insidious back-handed compliments. Because you call people on it, and they get indignant. Because they, from the house of privilege, thought you'd be pleased to hear that you're doing so well. What they don't hear is their unspoken assumption that the rest of your group is lazy, shiftless, useless, unremarkable, unproductive, etc. etc.

[moonlightalice.livejournal.com]

I thought the gun one was spot on. If he had guns in his house, even if they were "just for hunting" (Chicago sewer rats?) he would be labeled a gangster thug.

[shell524.livejournal.com]

Also, #15... Perhaps we SHOULD teach children to be aware of systemic racism.. not for their protection or safety, but to stop the bullshit.