"White Privilege Conference" In Colorado?

[Cypros]

I'm white. I don't have any wealth, power or authority. Where can I sign up for some of this cool white privilege stuff? I must have missed the memo. ha ha! All kidding aside, though - I believe THAT concept is more of an education issue than a race issue. You get further with an education.

Yes, it USED TO BE that blacks couldn't get this education as easily as whites could - YES - but that is NO LONGER VALID. It's used as an excuse, not a reason. Black educational opportunities are all over the place that aren't offerred to ANYONE but blacks. United Negro College Fund (the most advertised example) isn't paying for my little girl to go to college - she has to EARN her scholarship through hard work.

It belittles the black kids who work hard to get to college, I think, but it was a nice little bandaid to the problem of blacks having lesser educational opportunities. It's fixed now. Now that they have plenty of educational opportunities - it's time to work hard and EARN your jobs.

HARD WORK should get you where you want to go - not being a member of a racial organization, or reverse discrimination.

Another thought - has anyone looked at advertising lately? Look around your next board meeting. At least in the computer world, it's as colorful as a freaking rainbow. I left my last Java Programming project meeting feeling like I was the token white girl!

And I had no idea I was anyone's favorite anything. Aww shucks! Thanks! :crazy:

I know I generally post quips that entertain me about subjects that ought to make me just sad - off the cuff, not well thought out and often misunderstood - but there is just a time and a place for me to open up and say "LOOK AT THE BROADER PICTURE" and this seemed like the time.

Thanks for reading. I had assumed it was going to be scrolled past.

Pardon me while I go deflate my ego now.

Glitch,

First of all, I want to say that I really like the approach you are taking in raising your daughter. If all of us went through our lives acting as good examples of decency and hard work it would be a much better world. Unfortunately, most people do not do this.

I am wondering if you took the time to read the article that I posted? Here is the link again.
http://www.case.edu/president/aactio...heKnapsack.pdf

I also think that the "race card" is overplayed and that there is a lot of double standards going on. The case with Imus (who I am glad to see go) and the use of the same derogatory terms by rappers (many of whom I would be happy to see go) is a perfect example. But I do believe that the pendulum is going to have to swing to the opposite extreme a ways before it will be able to shift back to a healthy middle point.

Racism, ethnocentrism, discrimination exist everywhere. White Americans certainly do not have the monopoly on this unpleasant aspect of humanity.


One's opportunities in life are very much influenced by certain factors that are the accident of birth. Here in America, if you do not belong to the core group -- namely white, male, Christian, straight -- then you are automatically an outsider. People who fit into all four categories automatically benefit because every institution, tradition, religious practice, political system, etc. that has any true value in our society (meaning that it is valued by those who call the shots) was created by and for people of that core group. The world was created and designed FOR them! The further you are from that core group (you may identify with 3, 2, 1 or none of those classifications) the more alienated you are from the established "norms" and the sources of influence and power, and thus the more you have to compensate to be acknowledged and accepted.

I like to use the anology of right and left handed people. We live in a world created and designed for right-handers. Right-handers don't give handedness and second thought. Everything from desks, to tools, to cars are perfectly deigned to suit their needs. The system is set up for their convenience. Lefties, on the other hand, are constantly aware of their handedness and must make extra effort (and sometimes) expense to compensate to fit into a right-handed world. Women, people of color, non-christians, homosexuals are like lefties. They are living in a world designed for white, Christian, straight men. From what I have seen, the point of the "white privilege" discussions is to open the eyes of those who live within or near the core to see things from the perspective of those who experience this world from the periphery.

Why is there no special white history month? That's easy. EVERY month is white history month!

 

[Masterj]

I'm trying to stay out of this discussion, but as far as your question, to me, it is clear. US history was, for many, many years all about white men and what they did. Sure, there was a black person here... and woman there, but overall? White men, and their deeds. I'm almost 41, and can tell you, that's what history class was when I was in school. (until college)

I don't have a problem with black history month, or a women in history course, at least until they get caught up.

Thank you.

 

[Nova]

Because my husband drives a BMW and gets pulled over at least once a month, Stupid stuff...2 miles over the speed limit..etc. Do you know what the first question is.....Who's car are you driving??? My cousin's husband drives a hummer....do you know how many times he's been pulled over??? Like I said DWB exists...

A black friend and I sat down and compared our experiences in this regard. (Our educational backgrounds, our economic levels, even our heights are all roughly similar.)

I have been stopped two or three times in 36 years of driving and I was never treated as my friend was every time he was stopped, and that was many times. (In case anyone wonders whether my friend was a bad driver, he only received one actual ticket (same as I had) in all the years he had been behind the wheel.)

 

[Nova]

"White privelege" alone sounds racist to me!!!! It doesn't single out any certain people, IMO it's saying if you're white, you're privelged.
Are we supposed to protect them from the truth? WHAT TRUTH??? I do NOT believe that most whites these days are privileged and I think it's garbage for people to be telling black students that we are!
About the "differential access to wealth, power, and authority" comment...There are plenty of black people out there who are 10x richer than me and have more power and authority that I can ever dream of having, ARE THEY NOT MORE PRIVILEGED THAN ME?????
Or am I more privelged than them simply because I am white, no matter that I am just a middle-class white girl who doesn't have a whole lot of money after bills are paid?

I'm sure everyone who reads this will agree that not all white people receive a good education. But the point is not that a few blacks are advantaged and some whites are not; the point is how these groups as a whole have functioned -- and continue to function -- with relationship to one another.

 

[White Rain]

I'm sure everyone who reads this will agree that not all white people receive a good education. But the point is not that a few blacks are advantaged and some whites are not; the point is how these groups as a whole have functioned -- and continue to function -- with relationship to one another.

I don't think it's about how groups as a whole have functioned at all. If that were the case the conference would be called "Group Privilege."

 

[Cypros]

Glitch,

Your last post is an excellent example of how race continues to be such an important issue in America and why the concept of "white privilege" needs to be addressed. wow!

 

[reb]

glitch-- exactly. one of these days the blacks will have to wake up and realize that they are not the poor, little suffering oppressed minority they once were. at the rate they're breeding they will be the majority in a few years,, and in many places they are already-- it's WHITES that are the minority.. so they are gonna have to open their eyes and realize the slave days are over, civil rights days are over,, they are gonna have to quit whining and blaming the boogeyman for all their failures and realize that THEY ALONE are responsible for their failures. if they would open their eyes they might see that most shites have it just as hard as they do, if not harder... especially since the affirmative action thing started.
no one can stop them from being successful except THEMSELVES (of course a lot of it depends on random luck, too.. as with everyone else!) and guess what,, EVERYONE has it as hard as you.. except for those rich folks which are increasingly becoming more and more alienated from us all... whether it be old white money, or new white techie money, or neuvo-black rapper money... or whatever kind of money. if you've got a chip on your shoulder because you're not rich and privileged.. then get in line. but don't blame "whitey"... blame the american system, and the evils of rampant capitalism and corporatocracy... which many whites are trying to fight! so it might serve the angry blacks better to join THOSE people.. and quit b*tching about how they'e the victim of whites all the god damn time... because the more you do it, the more it becomes a self-fufilling prophecy.. (which just feeds into their anger & sense of inferiority even more).

bottom line: in this country you should get ahead due to merit, your abilites, your smarts, your experience, your hard work, your ingenuity, your ethics, your personality, etc.... ALONE. not because "oh, we need one more black (or hispanic, or whatever) person to make our diversity quota today." but this country will never be like that, because we are too messed up and far too caught up in the whole white guilt thing.

 

[jannuncutt]

glitch-- exactly. one of these days the blacks will have to wake up and realize that they are not the poor, little suffering oppressed minority they once were. at the rate they're breeding they will be the majority in a few years,, and in many places they are already-- it's WHITES that are the minority.. so they are gonna have to open their eyes and realize the slave days are over, civil rights days are over,, they are gonna have to quit whining and blaming the boogeyman for all their failures and realize that THEY ALONE are responsible for their failures. if they would open their eyes they might see that most shites have it just as hard as they do, if not harder... especially since the affirmative action thing started.
no one can stop them from being successful except THEMSELVES (of course a lot of it depends on random luck, too.. as with everyone else!) and guess what,, EVERYONE has it as hard as you.. except for those rich folks which are increasingly becoming more and more alienated from us all... whether it be old white money, or new white techie money, or neuvo-black rapper money... or whatever kind of money. if you've got a chip on your shoulder because you're not rich and privileged.. then get in line. but don't blame "whitey"... blame the american system, and the evils of rampant capitalism and corporatocracy... which many whites are trying to fight! so it might serve the angry blacks better to join THOSE people.. and quit b*tching about how they'e the victim of whites all the god damn time... because the more you do it, the more it becomes a self-fufilling prophecy.. (which just feeds into their anger & sense of inferiority even more).

bottom line: in this country you should get ahead due to merit, your abilites, your smarts, your experience, your hard work, your ingenuity, your ethics, your personality, etc.... ALONE. not because "oh, we need one more black (or hispanic, or whatever) person to make our diversity quota today." but this country will never be like that, because we are too messed up and far too caught up in the whole white guilt thing.

I have no idea how you look but, I do know that you have a lot of white foam running down your face!

 

[MREG2]

I'm white. I don't have any wealth, power or authority. Where can I sign up for some of this cool white privilege stuff? I must have missed the memo. ha ha! All kidding aside, though - I believe THAT concept is more of an education issue than a race issue. You get further with an education.

Yes, it USED TO BE that blacks couldn't get this education as easily as whites could - YES - but that is NO LONGER VALID. It's used as an excuse, not a reason. Black educational opportunities are all over the place that aren't offerred to ANYONE but blacks. United Negro College Fund (the most advertised example) isn't paying for my little girl to go to college - she has to EARN her scholarship through hard work.

It belittles the black kids who work hard to get to college, I think, but it was a nice little bandaid to the problem of blacks having lesser educational opportunities. It's fixed now. Now that they have plenty of educational opportunities - it's time to work hard and EARN your jobs.

HARD WORK should get you where you want to go - not being a member of a racial organization, or reverse discrimination.

Another thought - has anyone looked at advertising lately? Look around your next board meeting. At least in the computer world, it's as colorful as a freaking rainbow. I left my last Java Programming project meeting feeling like I was the token white girl!

And I had no idea I was anyone's favorite anything. Aww shucks! Thanks! :crazy:

I know I generally post quips that entertain me about subjects that ought to make me just sad - off the cuff, not well thought out and often misunderstood - but there is just a time and a place for me to open up and say "LOOK AT THE BROADER PICTURE" and this seemed like the time.

Thanks for reading. I had assumed it was going to be scrolled past.

Pardon me while I go deflate my ego now.

Again Glitch, wonderful post!!!

 

[Masterj]

glitch-- exactly. one of these days the blacks will have to wake up and realize that they are not the poor, little suffering oppressed minority they once were. at the rate they're breeding they will be the majority in a few years,, and in many places they are already-- it's WHITES that are the minority.. so they are gonna have to open their eyes and realize the slave days are over, civil rights days are over,, they are gonna have to quit whining and blaming the boogeyman for all their failures and realize that THEY ALONE are responsible for their failures. if they would open their eyes they might see that most shites have it just as hard as they do, if not harder... especially since the affirmative action thing started.
no one can stop them from being successful except THEMSELVES (of course a lot of it depends on random luck, too.. as with everyone else!) and guess what,, EVERYONE has it as hard as you.. except for those rich folks which are increasingly becoming more and more alienated from us all... whether it be old white money, or new white techie money, or neuvo-black rapper money... or whatever kind of money. if you've got a chip on your shoulder because you're not rich and privileged.. then get in line. but don't blame "whitey"... blame the american system, and the evils of rampant capitalism and corporatocracy... which many whites are trying to fight! so it might serve the angry blacks better to join THOSE people.. and quit b*tching about how they'e the victim of whites all the god damn time... because the more you do it, the more it becomes a self-fufilling prophecy.. (which just feeds into their anger & sense of inferiority even more).

bottom line: in this country you should get ahead due to merit, your abilites, your smarts, your experience, your hard work, your ingenuity, your ethics, your personality, etc.... ALONE. not because "oh, we need one more black (or hispanic, or whatever) person to make our diversity quota today." but this country will never be like that, because we are too messed up and far too caught up in the whole white guilt thing.

I think that most blacks "realize that they are not the poor, little suffering oppressed minority they once were" and acknowledge that civils rights has come a long way. The sarcastic tone in that sentence alone, let alone the entire post, proves that you don't consider their past suffering to be that serious. And I don't hear all blacks or even the majority of blacks bitching that they are victims of whites all the time.

 

[Marthatex]

I think the title of the Conference is inappropriate.

Yes, we need a good title, and knowledge that helps people understand WHY some minorities are having difficulty (education, family structure); what are some methods to improve our disparate socioeconomic reality; and yes, bring folks together, not divide even more.

 

[MREG2]

You may think so, but I disagree.

How about...

White Entertainment Network or the White People Awards. lol Can you even imagine the outcry from the blacks!!! But yet, we see this sort of thing on all the time for the blacks. I don't get it. We all talk about equality, but there's nothing equal about networks or awards that label them for a specific race. That's racism plain and simple....and double-standards to boot.

So until black people begin to understand that you can't have it both ways, we're going to continue to see this country go on a downward spiral. But there's Sharpton, Jackson, and the NAACP that's going to be there hoist these people up and patting them on the back. How about a quick kick in the rear? Like I said, I feel bad for all the hard-working decent black people in this country who are being pulled down because some of the black people can't seem to get a grip and get an education and make something of themselves. It's always the race card, or we've been wronged.

Look at what happened to the Jews. And the American Indians.

At some point, you just have to take responsibility for yourself regardless of the situations of your ancestors.

We never want to forget these things...because we never want them to happen again. But something has to give, and I just wish Jackson and Sharpton would close up shop.

Exactly, I disagree too. It all just boils down to the double standards. What about the college fund just for blacks (sorry the names escaping me right now)? What in the heck would happen if there was a college fund ONLY for white people? Don't get me wrong... I'm all for the fund. Anything that helps anyone is a great and wonderful thing. But again, it's the double standard.

Great post Luvbeaches! I agree with everything you have said. Especially the part about Sharpton and Jackson closing up shop. They are egging all of this on. They are the epiphany of hiprocrites. And that is what just burns me up.

 

[MREG2]

I'm trying to stay out of this discussion, but as far as your question, to me, it is clear. US history was, for many, many years all about white men and what they did. Sure, there was a black person here... and woman there, but overall? White men, and their deeds. I'm almost 41, and can tell you, that's what history class was when I was in school. (until college)

I don't have a problem with black history month, or a women in history course, at least until they get caught up.

I don't have a problem with black history month either. What irks me though is that it's ok to have that BUT if we did have a specific white history month it would be racist. What's good for the goose should be good for the gander... just not in this country.

 

[Nova]

Exactly, I disagree too. It all just boils down to the double standards. What about the college fund just for blacks (sorry the names escaping me right now)? What in the heck would happen if there was a college fund ONLY for white people? Don't get me wrong... I'm all for the fund. Anything that helps anyone is a great and wonderful thing. But again, it's the double standard.

There has always been a fund for white students. It is called the Wealthy Parents Fund. Not all white students were eligible, but nearly no students of color were.

Furthermore, thanks to unequal educational preparation, many other scholarship programs have been closed to black applicants, essentially if not officially. Worthy programs such as the United Negro College Fund were created and continue to help address the imbalance.

Why this is a problem, I have no idea.

(Has the situation changed today? Somewhat. But let's don't pretend a problem has been solved, just because some people decide they are "tired of hearing about it.")

 

[Paladin]

Black History month, as stated before, is an extention of Black History week. The original intent was to bring awareness to African-American history (although there are black history months in Canada(feb) and the UK(oct)) because at that point there just wasn't a whole lot in history books about blacks.

I suppose it's still around out of tradition, but I don't see why people are seeing a need a call for a White History month. This isn't a "hey look at us, we're different" month. It's not anything that's being thrown in white people's faces.

 

[Nova]

I don't think it's about how groups as a whole have functioned at all. If that were the case the conference would be called "Group Privilege."

No, it wouldn't. Because not all groups are privileged.

 

[Nova]

I don't have a problem with black history month either. What irks me though is that it's ok to have that BUT if we did have a specific white history month it would be racist. What's good for the goose should be good for the gander... just not in this country.

Black pride, gay pride, Latino pride, etc., are necessary counterbalances to the shame our society has traditionally attributed to those characteristics. There is no equivalent need for "white pride" (except among racists), because there was never any shame attributed with being white.

Similarly, "black history" needs a special focus because it was traditionally ignore (when not actively suppressed). "White history" has always been considered important.

 

[MREG2]

There has always been a fund for white students. It is called the Wealthy Parents Fund. Not all white students were eligible, but nearly no students of color were.

Furthermore, thanks to unequal educational preparation, many other scholarship programs have been closed to black applicants, essentially if not officially. Worthy programs such as the United Negro College Fund were created and continue to help address the imbalance.

Why this is a problem, I have no idea.

(Has the situation changed today? Somewhat. But let's don't pretend a problem has been solved, just because some people decide they are "tired of hearing about it.")

Well then... I guess I was screwed. I'm not black nor did I qualify for the Wealthy Parents Fund. But gee, hold on here, let me check... Oh yes, I still managed to graduate college.

There is no way in h*ll that there are scholarships only for white people. And gee, correct me if I'm wrong but I'm pretty positive that there are some black students in college due to the Wealthy Black Parents fund.

 

[MREG2]

Black History month, as stated before, is an extention of Black History week. The original intent was to bring awareness to African-American history (although there are black history months in Canada(feb) and the UK(oct)) because at that point there just wasn't a whole lot in history books about blacks.

I suppose it's still around out of tradition, but I don't see why people are seeing a need a call for a White History month. This isn't a "hey look at us, we're different" month. It's not anything that's being thrown in white people's faces.[/QUOTE]

And no one is saying that it is.... just merely that it is a double standard. If roles were reversed there would an uproar. That's all.

 

[MREG2]

Black pride, gay pride, Latino pride, etc., are necessary counterbalances to the shame our society has traditionally attributed to those characteristics. There is no equivalent need for "white pride" (except among racists), because there was never any shame attributed with being white.

Similarly, "black history" needs a special focus because it was traditionally ignore (when not actively suppressed). "White history" has always been considered important.

Again, Nova, I do NOT have a problem with any of those things. But if the whites were to have their white only club then all h*ll would break loose. Am I wrong?? Would all be right in the world if I start a "white only" club?? No one and I mean no one would cry out injustice or racist?