"White Privilege Conference" In Colorado?

[Nova]

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.

As did I, and my parents are lower middle class at best. But I did get quite a bit of help from scholarships, some of which I qualified for -- at least in part -- because of my white advantages: language spoken at home, ability to go to better schools, etc. That doesn't even count the more subtle advantages such as coming from a family/community where I was expected to go to college (rather than actively discouraged).

There is no way in h*ll that there are scholarships only for white people.

ETA: to take out a "crack" that wasn't fair or funny in the context of this heated discussion. My apologies, MREG2, I was being facetious. To answer you seriously: my remarks about "whites only" scholarships were ironic, not literal. But historically, it amounted to the same thing: almost all recipients were white. Things are better today, certainly, but that doesn't mean everything is "solved."

 

[mammasweets]

I've gone to 80% black schools and the polar opposite. I've been the token white girl or the minority. The problem with talking about race is that it's so easy to generalize. NOTHING IS EVER ALL OR NONE! Not every person shares the same attitudes towards race. My mother's family, for instance, has old black and white pics of relatives sitting on the porch with their shotguns, kkk bands on and hound dogs. I have some far removed family that still thinks that way. Iam more of the tree hugger; lover thy neighbor kind of girl. My husband feels the same. I was raised to treat people how how you want to be treated and live by example. I try not to generalize situations because you only see the extremes because they stand out and the normal parts get grayed into the background. I can't change the world just "my world". One SWEET (my last name) at a time.

 

[Nova]

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?

No, it would not be "all right," for exactly the reasons I enumerated. Because it was never "shameful" to be white, white "pride" can only be an expression of bigotry against non-whites.

Just as we find in real life, where only Aryan supremacists cling to that term (and where you wouldn't be caught dead using it, I'm sure, except in a discussion of this sort).

But it isn't unfair. And it's only a "double standard" if you ignore the contexts. Groups that have been systematically and wrongly shamed need "pride" activities; groups that have not do not.

History that has been suppressed needs a special focus; history that has not does not.

No double standard about it.

 

[Nova]

I've gone to 80% black schools and the polar opposite. I've been the token white girl or the minority. The problem with talking about race is that it's so easy to generalize. NOTHING IS EVER ALL OR NONE! Not every person shares the same attitudes towards race. My mother's family, for instance, has old black and white pics of relatives sitting on the porch with their shotguns, kkk bands on and hound dogs. I have some far removed family that still thinks that way. Iam more of the tree hugger; lover thy neighbor kind of girl. My husband feels the same. I was raised to treat people how how you want to be treated and live by example. I try not to generalize situations because you only see the extremes because they stand out and the normal parts get grayed into the background. I can't change the world just "my world". One SWEET (my last name) at a time.

Lovely post, Mamma, and good on you! (And of course you are absolutely right that not every white person is wealthy and privileged and not every black person is downtrodden.)

But when we're talking about education and social programs (such as this conference), I think we have to generalize somewhat or we're not addressing the "big picture."

 

[Paladin]

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.

It's a double standard that whites have created for themselves. Open any American History book. You won't find much in there besides information about slavery, black regiments in the civil war, and the civil rights movement in the 60s. Black History month was created out of necessity. There would be an uproar...you're right about that, but only because having a White History month would be completely unnecessary.

 

[White Rain]

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.")

There are ALOT of wealthy black parents in this world.

 

[White Rain]

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

And not all white people are privileged.

 

[White Rain]

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.

So just because us white people were never "shamed" we shouldn't be proud of our race? We're being "shamed" everyday into apologizing and paying for things that happened in the past that we have/had absolutely NO control over.

 

[White Rain]

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.

I agree with you, and I live near Atlanta where I know of at least two, maybe more, colleges that are for black students ONLY. One is Spelman I believe, and I forget the other one.
I don't know of ANY college in this country that is for white students only.

 

[Masterj]

So just because us white people were never "shamed" we shouldn't be proud of our race? We're being "shamed" everyday into apologizing and paying for things that happened in the past that we have/had absolutely NO control over.

Don't take it so literally. That is not what Nova meant. She meant white pride in the same regard as black pride. I think you know very well that Nova isn't saying we shouldn't be proud of our race.

For example, if I were to take you literally, I would conclude that YOU are being shamed everyday into apologizing or paying for things.

 

[2luvmy]

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.

There is a White Entertainment Network. Look a the TV. Sure the minority representation has improved, but the majority of characters are White and center around the norms of a typical white fmaily. BET was created to give Blacks the opportunity to see shows containing a majority of people that they can relate to. The majority of the programming on BET stinks IMO, because the movies and shows are mostly B rated since the funding is not available to create a great movie or program with a minority cast.

White People Awards - the the major awards categories were created for White people. Look how long it has taken for a Black, Latino, Asian, Indian, etc. person to win a presitgious award? It's 2007 and there are a handful. When one is shut out of the "club" for so long wouldn't it be easier to create your own?

On Black History Month - I am 34 years old. I just learned about Sojourner Truth 4 years ago! I learn about Black History when my girls come home and talk about what they did during Black History month. I didn't learn much about it at my school.


I am glad that my kids are being exposed to various races and cultures. I think understanding each other and where we come from will lead to a brighter future for our children in terms of getting along a coexisting peacefully. It's those of us that are in denial that there is a problem and want to brush it under the rug or pass things of as minorities feeling a sense of entitlement. There are minority people who experience blatant racism or subtle racism. I could rattle of several things I have experienced and to someone who doesn't believe there is a problem, would never see it as a problem.

I don't feel entitled at all. I am a single parent. I work full time. I go to college. I participate in my children's social and educational endeavors, I consider myself kind, compassionate and smart. I play well with others. I have worked hard for the little that I have. I just expect to be treated fairly and equally.

 

[2luvmy]

I agree with you, and I live near Atlanta where I know of at least two, maybe more, colleges that are for black students ONLY. One is Spelman I believe, and I forget the other one.
I don't know of ANY college in this country that is for white students only.

Do you know why Spelman and Morehouse were created?

Morehouse - created way back when to educate newly freed male slaves. I am sure there weren't a whole lotta White folks knocking down the doors to get in and study. The institution has just evolved from that phase. It wasn't built to keep Whites out.

Spelman - created to educate Black women as teachers to newly freed slaves and their children and then to train nurses. I am sure it evolved the same way as Morehouse.

 

[Masterj]

There is a White Entertainment Network. Look a the TV. Sure the minority representation has improved, but the majority of characters are White and center around the norms of a typical white fmaily. BET was created to give Blacks the opportunity to see shows containing a majority of people that they can relate to. The majority of the programming on BET stinks IMO, because the movies and shows are mostly B rated since the funding is not available to create a great movie or program with a minority cast.

White People Awards - the the major awards categories were created for White people. Look how long it has taken for a Black, Latino, Asian, Indian, etc. person to win a presitgious award? It's 2007 and there are a handful. When one is shut out of the "club" for so long wouldn't it be easier to create your own?

On Black History Month - I am 34 years old. I just learned about Sojourner Truth 4 years ago! I learn about Black History when my girls come home and talk about what they did during Black History month. I didn't learn much about it at my school.


I am glad that my kids are being exposed to various races and cultures. I think understanding each other and where we come from will lead to a brighter future for our children in terms of getting along a coexisting peacefully. It's those of us that are in denial that there is a problem and want to brush it under the rug or pass things of as minorities feeling a sense of entitlement. There are minority people who experience blatant racism or subtle racism. I could rattle of several things I have experienced and to someone who doesn't believe there is a problem, would never see it as a problem.

I don't feel entitled at all. I am a single parent. I work full time. I go to college. I participate in my children's social and educational endeavors, I consider myself kind, compassionate and smart. I play well with others. I have worked hard for the little that I have. I just expect to be treated fairly and equally.

Great post!

And what do you want to bet that people are now googling Sojourner Truth right now?

 

[White Rain]

Don't take it so literally. That is not what Nova meant. She meant white pride in the same regard as black pride. I think you know very well that Nova isn't saying we shouldn't be proud of our race.

For example, if I were to take you literally, I would conclude that YOU are being shamed everyday into apologizing or paying for things.

I don't "know very well" what Nova is/isn't implying. I don't know her from the man in the moon.

 

[Nova]

I agree with you, and I live near Atlanta where I know of at least two, maybe more, colleges that are for black students ONLY. One is Spelman I believe, and I forget the other one.
I don't know of ANY college in this country that is for white students only.

That is simply not true. Maybe if you did some research, you wouldn't be so angry on this subject. Spelman and other colleges were HISTORICALLY all-black, in days when many, many other colleges were all white.

They remain very important in black culture and have a lot (probably a majority) of black students. But they admit whites as well. It would be illegal not to do so.

 

[White Rain]

Do you know why Spelman and Morehouse were created?

Morehouse - created way back when to educate newly freed male slaves. I am sure there weren't a whole lotta White folks knocking down the doors to get in and study. The institution has just evolved from that phase. It wasn't built to keep Whites out.

Spelman - created to educate Black women as teachers to newly freed slaves and their children and then to train nurses. I am sure it evolved the same way as Morehouse.

It doesn't matter WHY they were created. My point is there are NO colleges for whites only. What you just wrote doesn't change my point.

 

[Nova]

So just because us white people were never "shamed" we shouldn't be proud of our race? We're being "shamed" everyday into apologizing and paying for things that happened in the past that we have/had absolutely NO control over.

There is simply no comparison between shame over the historical fact of white oppression (which personally I don't feel because I wasn't the oppressor) and the shame imposed by being forced to use a separate drinking fountain, or being unable to rent an apartment, because of the color of your skin.

Frankly, it's outrageous and offensive to compare the two.

 

[Masterj]

It doesn't matter WHY they were created. My point is there are NO colleges for whites only. What you just wrote doesn't change my point.

It might not matter to you why they were created but it certainly matters to a whole lot of other people.

 

[White Rain]

That is simply not true. Maybe if you did some research, you wouldn't be so angry on this subject. Spelman and other colleges were HISTORICALLY all-black, in days when many, many other colleges were all white.

They remain very important in black culture and have a lot (probably a majority) of black students. But they admit whites as well. It would be illegal not to do so.

You could be right, maybe they admit whites, I don't know and I will say it again, I DON'T KNOW FOR SURE, but what I do know is that I graduated just a few short years ago, and before we graduated we had college day, where college recruiters came and stood up one by one, talked to us about their colleges, programs, etc. and the Spelman recruiters pointed out that they were a black college, they never said anything about admitting whites.
Why, if they admit whites, and obviously whites would be the minority there, isn't affirmative action used at these schools?

 

[Jeana (DP)]

I don't "know very well" what Nova is/isn't implying. I don't know her from the man in the moon.

Nova's reputation here at Websleuths is above reproach.