What about 'reverse' racism?
What about taking blame that isn't rightfully placed upon a person, just because they are 'white' ?
I would never apologize for who I am or where I am in life, especially because of my skin color..That's no better than sayin "Yessa boss, jus don't crack dat's whips no more"
because you were black and being abused. And anyone who says otherwise has a cross-eyed view of the world.

Interesting perspective. However, if you look at the data from the 2000 US Census, you will see that White persons make up 75.1% of the population. Isn't it logical that many of the elements in our society are targeted at this majority of the population? Not necessarily because of race issues, but because of marketing issues? Cultural and societal representation tends to follow the actual cultural and societal stratification of the population.

Lunaticus Minimus makes an interesting point. While it’s historical fact that the Black or African-American ( I feel I have to use the US Census term out of fear of being labeled insensitive or racist ) people have faced discrimination and persecution here in the US in the past, and realistically some of this continues to this day, it is not a fact that I personally am responsible for the transgressions of my fore bearers. I have never owned a slave or discriminated or denigrated a person because of their race, yet I am to be held responsible for acts of persecution that happened over 150 years ago simply because I am white? Isn’t it racism to assume that because I am white I enjoy the “White Privilege” and perpetuate it’s discriminative nature?

I do know that racism still exists. But I think each person needs to be held accountable for their own actions, not the actions of others of their race or the ancestors. Creating a level playing field means just that, level. Too many times I see people trying to tilt the playing field back in favor of those races they feel have been discriminated against in the past to repay for past sins. Fighting racism with racism just doesn’t make any sense. I believe in trying to prevent any type of racism while still holding individuals accountable for their own actions.

( off my soapbox and on to a personal story…)

I had an experience that opened up my eyes to the issues still faced in our society. It was few years back and I was working on a project of designing a cover layout for a prominent national (US) computer magazine. I built an image around the product being featured in that issue and I found a great stock photo to incorporate. The cover layout looked wonderful. I submitted it to the publisher confident that it would be what they needed. They called me and said that they couldn’t use the layout. I asked them why and they replied that they couldn’t use it because of the picture of the black woman that I had used. I actually had to pull out my print drafts and double check because I had never even noticed that she was black. They said that it wasn’t a racist decision, but they shared with me actual data showing that having black people on the cover of a magazine ( that wasn’t specifically targeted towards black people) resulted in lower sales figures for that issue.

I was appalled. They asked me to re-work the layout and incorporate a white woman using the product. I respectfully refused and asked them to use the layout that I submitted. They were very understanding of my position and said they would consider it. They did pay me for the work I did, but they never used it. It was an eye opening experience for me in learning how powerful the marketing forces are in determining how races are depicted and promoted in our society. I can understand if approximately 75% of the marketing efforts are targeted at the white portion of the population since that is it’s actual representation, but I was very disturbed by the statistical fact that using an image of a person of a different race in promoting a product actually resulted in lower sales for the product.

There’s no doubt that there is still progress to be made in moving back towards a level playing field. Let’s just keep trying to level it, not swing it back the other way…




From the 2000 US Census: (http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/00000.html)

White persons, percent, 2000 (a) 75.1%

Black or African American persons, percent, 2000 (a) 12.3%

American Indian and Alaska Native persons, percent, 2000 (a) 0.9%

Asian persons, percent, 2000 (a) 3.6%

Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander, percent, 2000 (a) 0.1%

Persons reporting some other race, percent, 2000 (a) 5.5%

Persons reporting two or more races, percent, 2000 2.4%

Persons of Hispanic or Latino origin, percent, 2000 ( 12.5%

White persons, not of Hispanic/Latino origin, percent, 2000 69.1%

I gotta tell ya, I'm so sick of hearing this topic. I am especially sick of the phrase "White Privilege". I would really like to know where they are handing out this privilege stuff, because I must have missed the meeting of "All White Men are Rich and Powerful" and didn't get the information.
But yes it is wonderful being white..me living in Mississippi in a prodominately black area-can't walk down the street without being harrassed, the phrase "cracker" and "honkie" or whatever else there is-IS considered funny. Infact I wonder how many black comedians would even *be* comedians if they were not able to make racist jokes. Seems abit unfair to me, because while I might try to watch some stand up to have a good time-I end up usually being made upset cause the majority of what I hear is "White guys are like this" or "Isn't it pathetic when a white guy..". Yep it's just all so funny, but what would happen if me, a white guy cracked some joke about ANY black stereotype? You can be sure I wouldn't be doing stand up for very long.
Another example of "White Privelege", shortly after highschool most of my family had moved away for different reasons and I found myself not having much more than an attic apartment and a pile of bills. I had lost about 80 lbs. and was behind on rent so my girlfriend at the time dragged me downtown to apply for food stamps (which I didn't really want). And wouldn't you know it, after finally sucking up my pride and sitting down there filling out paperwork, having a humiliating day taking paperwork-I was denied. Apparently alot of weight loss and being in debt isn't poor enough to get help with just groceries.
One more example from just last night. My brother who is barely 19yrs. old has some money problems too, and also will be a father in about a month or so. Lately he talks about how he'd like to go to college but is not sure about if he could soon for financial reasons. Now, he's alittle naive so it was a complete shock when watching t.v. last night there was a commercial for the United Negro College Fund (or whatever the exact name is). The idea that simply being black, you could take part in a college fund made JUST for your race was a bit hard for him to understand at first. Even more upsetting when the topic of what societies reaction would be to a United WHITE College Fund would be came up.
Because you know..it makes complete sense that a group of people gathering to just celebrate their race is a wonderful thing...UNLESS you are white. It just screams those pretty words like "equality" "tolerance" and all that other stuff. Well, I'm sick of ranting on this as I'm sure I'll probably get flamed to all hell because I think it's unfair that when I was 14 black kids pelted me with bricks in a mall parking lot and no one would help, or how I can only go to certain bars/clubs because white people are not wanted. In closing here's a few items from that list that I think is just amusing...
If I should need to move, I can be pretty sure renting or purchasing housing in an area which I can afford and in which I would want to live.
...ummm....no.
I can be pretty sure that my neighbors in such a location will be neutral or pleasant to me.
...my first apartment was in a "black" neighborhood, I coudn't let my girlfriend leave unless I walked her to her car. And yes, there was a
reason.
I can go into a music shop and count on finding the music of my race represented, into a supermarket and find the staple foods which fit with my cultural
...what kind of crap is this? I have yet to see an all white music store..especially when people of all races listen to rap rock blues r&b..
I can arrange to protect my children most of the time from people who might not like them.
...can't say for sure, but I do know that most of the police force where I live is black. And they prefer to ignore my mother when she calls
because someone was snooping in the yard, or someone could be trying to break in.
I can do well in a challenging situation without being called a credit to my race.
...am I dancing? playing sports? Because white guys have no rythm can't jump and of course no soul.
I can criticize our government and talk about how much I fear its policies and behavior without being seen as a cultural outsider.
...what does this have to do with race? I gaurantee anyone of any color could move up in the mountains and start hate talking the
government, and they would end up in a bad situation.
I can be pretty sure that if I ask to talk to "the person in charge," I will be facing a person of my race.
...another ridiculous comment. Infact I talked to "the person in charge" at Office Max not long ago, he was not of my race and was in fact
a huge help. And the last 2 jobs my brother applied for we're run by somone of a different race than him.
If a traffic cop pulls me over or if the IRS audits my tax return, I can be sure I haven't been singled out because of my race.
...yeah.."THE MAN" I'm sure never cheats on taxes
I can take a job with an affirmative action employer without having coworkers on the job suspect that I got it because of race.
...how bout a job ANYWHERE (!!) and you're white and you're co-workers are black? "yep, he's just manager because he's white".
I can be sure that if I need legal or medical help, my race will not work against me.
...well I'm not rich, and I'm white so I think I'd be screwed since I'm supposed to be so priveledged.
I can choose blemish cover or bandages in flesh color and have them more or less match my skin.
...one: this comment is just INSANELY stupid.
two: yes, anyone can, you can bandage yourself up with all sorts of colors, and clear bandages and even be sporting
some scooby do on your cuts and scrapes.

One more example of how aburd things are.. "BET" Black Entertainment Television...why is there no White Entertainment Television? A channel JUST for me and people my race? Because you can bet anything that in no time it was be called something like "Klan TV" or
"The Neo Nazi Network".

*gulp*

Why did you have to turn this into a political argument Brad??? geebus....

The perfect example of racism totally ruining a nation is South Africa. For years and years the 'blacks' didn't even have the right to drink from the same taps as the 'whites' now they can vote, and as the majority, I have to say, they are putting the country in a worse position.

The 'whites' will not fraternise with the blacks in most urban centres... a classic definition of the wrong side of the tracks. You have your affluent whites and some blacks on one side, and your ghetto poor blacks on the other side. South Africa has a tremendous problem with crime... and the whites are living in fear of the black man - and I hate to say it, but that fear is justified.

The Black politician’s campaign to the masses... generally people who can’t read or write and they play on their false hope of creating a unified nation, where blacks will live with whites. The only problem is that black politicians are just as bad as white politicians, they lie though their teeth to get into power, and in a country like South Africa where the people are illiterate and tired of oppression, they don’t really rise up… they are just happy they get to vote. The politicians don’t really care about the people, all they care about is the $$$ and as long as the black politicians continue to get the $$$ from the affluent black AND white people, the only policies implemented are the money making ones.

A LOT of money needs to be spent on education in countries like South Africa to accentuate the point that racism is wrong, and the wrongs of the past can not be corrected by continuing the segregation.

Peace out.

I suggest to all to read any book by Richard Rodriguez. I actually met the guy at a seminar a few years back. I was an interesting experience.

Some of his books:
"Brown"
"Hunger of Memory: The Education of Richard Rodriguez"

New York city I believe is in the northeast and there are plenty of blacks there doing menial tasks to keep the white privilege alive.

I don't live in New York, but I don't think it would be too crazy for me to assume that many white people are stuck performing those menial tasks as well.

I'm still waiting my membership card from the Stone Cutters.

Yeah Wardell... I got my membership last week. I only got in because I have a birthmark that resembles thier logo. I'll see what I can do to get you in.

Brad, Brad, Brad... how can anyone not know about racism? i hope i dont have to give 'facts' to prove racism is bad... or you wont take me seriosuly...

Here is what i do know...I am a liberal, and you are a conservative... and you cannot see past that. You are excused for not taking anything i say seriously, because i feel sorry for you.

Feel free to point out any factual errors i ever make, i am a humble guy, i respect the fact that even the best of us (i.e. Me) make mistakes. Please dont belittle me though just because my opinions differ from yours.

Peace Out.

I have to say I agree with Karen. There have been times that I have avoided situations due to the ethnicty of the environment. It is not that I ment to do it, but more some a subconsious way of wanting to have nothing to do with it.

Seriously, build a bridge mate.

I cant beleive you are so judgemental, if i could be bothered wasting the time on you, i might make the effort to see reason... but you are a lost cause. meh... lucky you are no one to me, otherwise i might care... back on topic, racism stems from people with attitudes like yours... not saying you are racist, but you have a lot of similar traits... it either your way or the highway...

Carry on...

RBE..
By the way nice name. Interesting.

"What I dislike about the "White Privilege" argument is the tendency to say that lots of white people "discriminate" to some degree and white people are the majority so it is a white problem. This is intellectually dishonest."

I felt that McIntosh was pointing out what white people tend to 'get away with', more than any other race. In fact I think that is exactly what it is. I don't feel that this article is a slander, by any means, on caucasions. It is more so trying to bring a particular race back down to reality, and to inform us that we really do have it better than most minorites. The points she makes are true. I have seen it in action.

You do make a valid point and I enjoyed reading your post... thanks.