My posts that have been tagged with the subject “white privilege” were visited several times (over 50 unique visits) by individuals who frequent the white supremacist website, stormfront.org. Due to the apparent popularity of the white privilege posts by white supremacists, I would like to take this moment to direct my new readers to an article on white privilege that was printed in the Oregon State University Daily Barometer.
Here’s an excerpt from the Barometer article on white privilege:
Tags: anti racist, Race, racism, Social Justice, white privilegeWhether we [(white people)] choose to accept and acknowledge it as an unfortunate consequence of being in a racist society, white privilege exists to further the oppression of [people of color] by continuing to empower the white majority.
Like Peggy McIntosh wrote in her well-known article, “Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack,” for those of us who are white, it can be difficult to see past racism as just individual acts of meanness, but as invisible systems that continue the dominance of the white race.
White privilege is a set of unearned advantages we accrue on the basis of being white. This privilege is something that is very difficult to define because it is so entrenched in our culture.
Racist society. That notion rings so hollow, more like a relic of a bygone era. If you look around with objectivity, you will be hard pressed to find a racist society. You may find examples of racism, but racist society? No. This hollowness is highlighted by the fact that America is seriously considering electing a black man to the most powerful elected office in the land, if not the world. Such a racist society we live in!
Would I vote for Barack Obama? No. Is it because he is black? No. I have voted for a black man before but unfortunately, there are not that many black conservative politicians. Too many black people buy into the myths and deceptions that are fed to them by left-leaning politicians more interested in obtaining and maintaining power as opposed to empowering Americans, including black people. Their “leaders” (Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, etc.) continually stir the race pot, often when there is barely a trace of racism present, more to empower themselves and their positions and to gain the public spotlight, than to help those who may have (or in some cases, may not even!) been wronged. I know you do not really get into politics on this blog, so I will leave it at that. But these examples are examples racial politics which I think so merit comment in your forum as they play a key role in creating an environment where expectations of often unfounded racism can fester and grow, thus preventing further progress in racial harmony in the United States.
Derek - If Barack Obama is elected, racism in the United States will not simply vanish in a puff of smoke. A lot of white folks seem to think that because Obama is a strong contender for the presidency that racism must be on its way out the door. If Obama is elected, that would be a monumental and historic occurrence, but it will not be the moment in history that ends racism. Ending institutionalized racism is an ongoing process that will require a lot of awareness, empathy and honesty by white people in this country.
“Institutionalized racism”? “White privilege”? I’m a white male. Do I qualify for set-asides in government contracting? No. Are companies liable for “civil rights violations” if they don’t hire enough white males? No.
These categories are sheer bunk. Fortunately more and more people recognize them as PC nonsense.
So it’s anti-racists who are responsible for racism. Thanks Derek!
Anyway, just wait til Obama wins the Democratic nomination. If he does, I guarantee you will begin to see proof of a racist society. It’s going to be brutal.
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