UPDATE: As Toast points out in the column, there is much of this that can be attributed to a conservative/liberal or GOP/Dem bias, but there is still plenty of food for thought in there, especially when you get past issues-related double standards and to the parts about Michelle Obama, etc.
Thursday, October 09, 2008
Black and White
UPDATE: As Toast points out in the column, there is much of this that can be attributed to a conservative/liberal or GOP/Dem bias, but there is still plenty of food for thought in there, especially when you get past issues-related double standards and to the parts about Michelle Obama, etc.
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7 comments:
I disagree with the premise of his column. None of the examples he cites (well, the first half dozen at least - I didn't finish it) are instances of "white privilege"; They're instances of right-wing privilege. White liberals wouldn't get away with any of the crap he cites either.
While that is true to a certain extent, it is even worse for Obama than a comparable white Democrat. And the examples further down (after you stopped reading, probably) are stronger examples of a double-standard, but apply to less prominent issues.
I read this when it came out, and while I do agree with him, I also think there's something else at work in this election (and the last couple) that absolutely baffles me. I can't think of any other way to describe it but a collective sense of low self-esteem that causes people to vote for someone who isn't articulate, who isn't well-educated, and who claims the shroud of "regular people", but lives a life that is so far removed from actual regular people that they wouldn't recognize the problems of those valued constituents if it hit them over their empty heads. Why are people so enthralled with the idea of a leader who is "just like me"? While I agree race is an enormous factor in this campaign, I also think the American people need to get over their fear of looking ignorant and finally vote someone into office who can use a three-syllable word and who might be able to grasp the basics of economics without three days of intense coaching.
BTW, you've got a couple links in today's Missives post.
I suppose my post would be more reflective of my own education if I bothered inserting paragraph breaks. Apologies.
Deb, check this piece out, it's a fascinating look into the mindset of the undecided voter...
Toast, you know I wouldn't play the privilege card too quickly or lightly, what with the serial abuse of it we're so familiar with, but I do think there is plenty of food for thought in the post. Give it another read...
What do you call it when a black candidate for president may have to get 56% in the polls to win 50% of the vote? I'd call that white privilege.
Seriously, I think the piece is good, but there are better historical examples of white privilege that those cited in the article.
How about "legacy” admissions into college. I’d call that white privilege.
How about the fact that the GI bill excluded blacks after WWII, helping to empty out our cities and reduced homeownership in black America.
Why can I as a white man walk into any community in America without fear of racism and apply for a job, where is a black male cannot.
This is institutional racism folks. That is white privilege. It is not there to make whites feel guilty or blame whites as a whole. It’s just the facts.
How about the fact that the GI bill excluded blacks after WWII
For real? I have never heard that. That's a fucking outrage.
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