"Being white is a privilege"

[Deleted_171835]

http://blog.lib.umn.edu/chan/umdnews/2012/01/unfair-campaign.html

PSA from a group in Minnesota. Thoughts?[/media]

 

[Foxi4]

PSA from a group in Minnesota. Thoughts?

All things considered, they do have a point. Racial stereotypes are quite common - you still get to see people nervously grab their belongings when a dark-skinned, tall male enters a bus, so they're well-instilled into the minds of the population... but it's merely a matter of time before those too vanish.

 

[Guild McCommunist]

The first gif I personally made captures my expression.

 

[tofast4u]

All things considered, they do have a point. Racial stereotypes are quite common - you still get to see people nervously grab their belongings when a dark-skinned, tall male enters a bus, so they're well-instilled into the minds of the population... but it's merely a matter of time before those too vanish.

Wouldn't the same thing happen to white people in African/Asian countries?

 

[Hyro-Sama]

 

[Foxi4]

Wouldn't the same thing happen to white people in African/Asian countries?

Not really, no. White people have different stereotypes surrounding them, so the reaction also varies. Besides, the PSA doesn't concern African/Asian countries - they can have their own PSA's.

 

[Deleted_171835]

All things considered, they do have a point. Racial stereotypes are quite common - you still get to see people nervously grab their belongings when a dark-skinned, tall male enters a bus, so they're well-instilled into the minds of the population... but it's merely a matter of time before those too vanish.

Indeed, they definitely have a point. White privilege is still very much a common thing at least here in North America.

There's an interesting article here regarding this.

 

[RodrigoDavy]

Why does every person on this video have blue/green eyes?

 

[Guild McCommunist]

Why does every person on this video have blue/green eyes?

Common eye colors?

 

[Foxi4]

Indeed, they definitely have a point. White privilege is still very much a common thing at least here in North America.

From what hear, it's in the decline, which is good. In a few generations and with education going hand in hand with the media, perhaps one day you guys won't have to worry about White Privilege issues. Here they're practically non-existant, but not because we're overly-tolerant, not by any means (quite the opposite, really...) - it's more a matter of the scarce racial diversity here.

 

[Sanoblue]

wow im white.... but have an Arabic last name.... its not a privilege... its genetics... and USA society is (thou its shifting) is prominently white... we all have our stereotypes... white black brown yellow.... or whatever.... what a waste of money.

 

[Foxi4]

wow im white.... but have an Arabic last name.... its not a privilege... its genetics... and USA society is (thou its shifting) is prominently white... we all have our stereotypes... white black brown yellow.... or whatever.... what a waste of money.

The U.S has one of the most racially-diverse societies in the whole world - it's diverse by proxy, it's a country consisting 99% of immigrants, their descendants, the descendants of slaves and a 1% of native population. (Not actual statistics, an exaggeration to show a point) The peoples of the U.S "mingle" moreso than in other areas of the world, which is why racial tolerance is such a pressing issue there. That, and its slavery and racial segregation-related history.

 

[Guild McCommunist]

Hate to be the "guy who argues this point" guy but there are some cases of "reverse racism" as it's dubbed (a bit of a nonsensical term though as racism applies to any race), such as employers favoring minorities when it comes to choosing jobs to increase "workplace diversity" or something along those lines.

Just saying that "being white" cuts both ways.

 

[Foxi4]

Hate to be the "guy who argues this point" guy but there are some cases of "reverse racism" as it's dubbed (a bit of a nonsensical term though as racism applies to any race), such as employers favoring minorities when it comes to choosing jobs to increase "workplace diversity" or something along those lines.

Just saying that "being white" cuts both ways.

Oh, that's true, and I don't think it's really "reverse-racism" - treating any race in a "special" way, be it in a negative or positive context in relation to other races is just racism - any form of animosity or favourism should be frowned upon.

By employing a non-white person over a white person just for the sake of cultural diversity within the team (what for whatever reason is sometimes forced by company regulations) simply goes to show that you treat that person as "different than you", defeating the whole point of trying "not to be racist".

 

[Deleted_171835]

Reverse racism doesn't exist.

 

[Foxi4]

Reverse racism doesn't exist.

I see that you've never heard the "Is this because I'm *insert skin colour*?" rebuttal that's so often used by people who want to take advantage of the anti-racism trends to help them reach their goals.

Example? White employee gets a promotion, he or she has similar experience to the black employee, but for whatever reason he or she was promoted instead. Black employee complains - "I wasn't promoted for racial reasons! I'mma sue you!" - kaching! Of course this is just an exaggeration, but it's a very plausible scenario.



Shows the mechanism well, and while the other parties are not without fault, he still shows how to seize and take advantage of such a situation in the way I described earlier. The fun part starts around 3:57.

 

[Sanoblue]

The U.S has one of the most racially-diverse societies in the whole world - it's diverse by proxy, it's a country consisting 99% of immigrants, their descendants, the descendants of slaves and a 1% of native population. (Not actual statistics, an exaggeration to show a point) The peoples of the U.S "mingle" moreso than in other areas of the world, which is why racial tolerance is such a pressing issue there. That, and its slavery and racial segregation-related history.

and that had nothing to do with what i said but yes you have a point.... we are the melting pot.... but the society is predominantly white due to politics... this country is run by the white man... despite our black president....which honestly we elected the whitest black guy ever lol

 

[prectorian]

Unfortunately rasism does still exist and will continue to exist for as long as there is still differences between majority and minority.
'White skin' (as in American, European, Australian, etc.) tends to get viewed too high. Let it be on the street, at work/jobs, etc.
This view is quite 'normal every day sight' especially in most of Asia (discounting Japan and China as whom they discriminate is quite different).
In my country alone, being one from any of the 'white skin' group; on the street they get overly welcomed and well treated, even can get high job posts doesn't matter if they are smart/stupid, or having the necessary job credentials/or not, better payroll, better facilities, etc. They get privilaged for just being 'white'.
On the other hand, being from different ethnic group entering as minority into the circle of a majority group, will also earn discrimination too.
In Japan, the 'black skin' (as in from African region) are better treated compared to those coming from 'yellow skin' (as in from China/from that ethnic group).
If a 'yellow skin' was to walk around Japan, they tend to be suspected as trying to become illegal imigrant looking for illegal job or trying to do crime, even if they aren't
trying to do that. In China, they look up on both 'white skin' and 'black skin' depending on which part of China we're talking about, but they tend to look down on overseas Chinese and most Asian. Singaporean and Malaysian, looks down on Philippines and Indonesian because so many of those coming into their country are maids and hard laborers. It's most unfortunate when stereotyping just base on skin color is hard to eliminate even in this advance modern day.

 

[Gahars]

That PSA has the subtlety of a dump truck... then again, we are discussing the subject now, so I guess it works.

Anyway, while I'm not a big fan of the presentation of the video, I think it does have a point. As a white guy, I'm sitting pretty in the United States. I had 42 white presidents in a row, the vast majority of characters in the TV and Film I watch are white (with Black characters being an occasional exception, Hispanic + Asian characters being even rarer, and Native American characters outside of stereotypical, token roles being damn near nonexistent), even my culture's icons are pretty much exclusively white - or made to be white. Even the Jewish, Middle-Eastern Jesus Christ is often portrayed as whiter than Ronald Reagan. Ultimately, I have the "default" skin tone - I don't ever have to think, "I'm white," I just am.

And you know, that sucks. It's pretty unfair for everyone else, and it leaves us with a monochrome culture that doesn't really reflect reality. I don't think this is formed out of any real animosity; I don't think many people are aware of the problem to begin with, or could articulate it at length. It gets perpetuated, not out of prejudice or hatred, but simply from ignorance that it's being perpetuated at all.

Is there an easy answer? Unfortunately, I don't think so. It's a thorny, deep-rooted issue, with a lot of historical baggage, and it is one that's going to take a lot of discussion and contemplation. As the US becomes more and more heterogeneous, I hope that happens sooner, rather than later.

 

[Vampire Lied]

Sadly, whites are treated better in most cases in the US.
The problem is everyone notices race and gender first, then it goes from there.
In theory, it would be nice to no longer have this problem. In reality, if everyone were the same color, the issue would be something else. Weight, hair color, eye color, height, etc.
The sad fact is that people judge others according to physical/cultural/mental differences. I honestly think it will never see an end. It may Improve, but racism, sexism and bring judgmental in general will never see an end.