Comments on: White Privilege

By: jmac

jmac — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 01:18:21 +0000

Thanks cdj2002. Interestingly, there are many people who think I am white. And it isn't because of my tone, I”m at the darker end of the mixed spectrum. And 90% of the time, it's not White people who confuse me. Case in point, I was at the DMV the other day to pick up a new license, and the woman who helped me put my race down as White. When I saw this, I turned right back around, walked up to her desk, and said “excuse me ma'am, but I'm not White. I'm Black.” And she looked so aghast. That's what I mean when I speak of having to validate ourselves.

What do we think nowadays of people who pass? Or who don't acknowledge it at all? I still cringe everytime I remember the gaff of Tom Cruise when asked about whether he discussed his adopted children's race with them, and he asked “what is there to discuss?” I think this is an aspect of white privilege that isn't as heinous as outright and blatant disrespect, but can be just as damaging.

By: cdj2002

cdj2002 — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 02:51:32 +0000

Jmac I don't think your stirring the pot at all. You can describe yourself individually by any terms you would like. But when you are being looked at as a group member you will be looked at as a person of color–be that mixed or simply Black. This ties directly into White privelege, because only those who are 100% “White looking” can fall in the catagory of Whitness. Everyone else is apart of of Subordinated group when it comes to race no matter how that person individually identifies themself.

By: jmac

jmac — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 01:18:29 +0000

Usually not one to stir the pot….but I'd like to know thoughts. Obama is described as a Black man in one instance and a bi-racial man in another. I understand that he describes himself using the same terms. But why?
I'm curious because I do the same, albeit a Black woman or mixed woman or woman of color. Do we mixed people sometimes feel we have to validate ourselves as simply Black? Or do we claim mixed/ bi-racial because that is the only way of truly describing ourselves, without leaving anything out? Is it just too much of a mouthful to claim all colors? Or is it simply about how we identify, day in and day out? Anyone?

By: Jemfirst

Jemfirst — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 11:33:40 +0000

Wow, I came to YBP Guide to make this exact same post as I received an email recently and am listening to the Madison Show. Very true and hypocritical. It is clearer to me more than ever that we live in a country full of double standards.

By: Stephon

Stephon — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 20:50:58 +0000

for many of the privileged, they live there lives like this: “the rules apply to *everyone* else, but me”

good post Fredric

By: P. Horizon

P. Horizon — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 19:37:17 +0000

Good Post!

By: TruthSeeker

TruthSeeker — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 04:28:29 +0000

Ha..good post.