How privileged do you think you are?

[Aunt Marg]

Chilling song, but relevant to each and every one of us, (who wrote, or sang it, can you tell us?). .

Muddy Waters, Graham.

 

[grahamg]

Well, Graham, you live in the UK where there is a definite class system. Yes, there's a bit of one here as well, but not as entrenched, I think. I think Hollywood folk of whatever color think they are entitled -- just look at Lori Laughlin. But I hang with regular folks, good folks, hard-working folks, who don't hold with that.

I've been lucky finding friends who are good, regular folks too, but maybe I'm having to put up with some right now who maybe aren't true friends in the sense they try to dominate you, and can't seem to stop themselves, (though they have better sides to their character, and are themselves having a hard life perhaps- maybe brought on by their own choices, if I can be judgemental). .

 

[grahamg]

The third rule could be don't give up searching for a solution even before you begin to look for one.

Let me propose an analogy. In every class of ungraded students I have found some that are gifted in every way - bright kids from middle class families with financial and social resources that give them every opportunity to succeed in life. The world is their oyster but even so, some of these throw away their opportunities and become hippies, drunks or layabouts. That is their choice.

In the same class there will also be equally bright students whose parents are refugees who arrived here with little more than what they stood up in. It is not their fault that they have little money and some of the parents are working every hour they can to be able keep their children at school so that they can go to university. These students are among the hardest working and strive to excel, conscious of the obligation to meet their parents' expectations.

Then there are some highly intelligent kids who face enormous barriers. Their families are disfunctional, with domestic violence and alcoholism creating chaos. Poverty sometimes mean that the family changes address and schools frequently and schooling is fragmented. Sometimes these kids ( and I am not speaking metaphorically) run away from home and if lucky end up in a youth refuge rather than becoming homeless on the streets. I can think of a couple of my students for whom this was their reality. I do know that both of them were helped by kind individuals who guided them to a better future.

Perhaps you are aware of the parable of the starfish stranded on the beach. A multitude of starfish had been washed onto a beach and were slowly drying out in the hot sun. A man noticed a boy picking them up and hurling out into the water with all of his might. The man asked him why he was bothering because there were so many starfish and his efforts could make little difference. The boy picked up another starfish and said, "It makes a difference to this one" and he threw it as far as he could.

When it comes to overcoming disadvantage, whatever the cause, it sometimes boils down to one to one relationships - teacher and student, neighbour to neighbour, mentor to apprentice etc. In addition it requires social programs - scholarships, secure housing, affordable health care, job training and a fair rate of pay. If the relationships are not an option we can all speak up for the social programs. This is in everyone's self interest because a fair society where people are not facing barriers that are outside their control is a much better society for all of us. Peace is a consequence of justice and fairness.

Sorry for the waffle but if you wanted a two sentence answer, you asked the wrong person. And I note that you didn't actually ask a question directly but I answered an implied one.

Can I make a rule, a quixotic one?
My rule is equality of treatment cannot resolve all the worlds problems! Some questions do not have answers, and one mans meat is another mans poison, are two more quixotic statements. I want people to behave in a manner they would like others to behave towards them, but somehow such sentiments are seen as out of touch today I feel, and the religious connotations are unwelcome to be expressed in schools I'm told(?). My rule contradicts at least one of yours, but its okay to differ isn't it. .

 

[Aneeda72]

Not privileged at all. Rocky Road. But, I am a survivor. Of that, I am proud.

Yup, not privileged.

I grew up wishing I’d been born dead, wishing I was dead.

For years, I thought of myself as a survivor as well, but then I realized I had not survived, just lived through it all. I am so glad you made it through and are proud you survived. I wish I could say the same. Stay safe.

 

[Aneeda72]

Here's the first definition that came up for me when I looked for one online.

privilege - a special right, advantage, or immunity granted or available only to a particular person or group

I don't think that the definition has morphed at all, it's just been applied properly to differences that people experience in US society that are based on race. On can find numerous psychological and sociological studies that clearly show that within the US white people are given more respect and trust than blacks and Hispanics.

I don't know you and don't know your background so I can't really know if you weren't given anything. However if you're white and grew up in the US the probability is that you were given more respect, were given more trust more and were given more of the benefit of the doubt than black people in your community or in communities in the rest of the US.

I do understand that there are currently white people in the US who are not as privileged as others based on where they grew up, how they talk and other things. When Irish people came to the US many years ago there was a level of mistrust and discrimination they endured which was heartbreaking. In that case the privilege of those who were already in the US had nothing to do with race but everything to do with country of origin.

I grew up white, in the US. I don’t think my skin color has anything to do with anything. I think the demographics of where you lived growing up, your parents employment, and who they were are more impactful on the growing up years. I think you were too protected from real life.

My mother, a white woman, when she was a teenager living on her uncles farm picked cotton for her room and board. She worked along side black people who also picked cotton. They all were known as field hands. She was not treated any different than her uncles employees. Her color had nothing to do with her life. She felt privileged to eat, they all felt privileged to eat.

The Great Depression unified the races in certain locations.

 

[Aneeda72]

This is part of what people refer to in America when they refer to 'white privilege.' The 50s in America was NOT universally a place where a person willing to work hard could be successful. I live in the South and can tell you that black people in the South did not have the opportunities for prosperity that you had in the 50s.

Lots of white people in the south did not have the opportunities for prosperity either. Money rules, color is nothing, IMO. Mother left the south when she was 17. She never looked back.

 

[old medic]

My dad served in New Guinea and came back alive.

Your Dad and My Grandfather pounded the same ground.... Glad both came home....
Privileged.... Yes we are... to be living in this great country....as messed up as it can be at times...
We both grew up in the country with hard working families, but we didn't have alot, and remember some hungry times.
We have worked hard for what we have... many times struggling to at least to get ends close together....
We have experienced both Racism and Discrimination...
Thanks to Affirmative Action BS we almost lost our home, let my Wife go from the position she worked for 2 years, to hire
someone of color... Who had 0 experience.... they didnt work out.... and was turned down a 2ND TIME...... 8 months later she was finally rehired.
This was almost 20 years ago and shes still there.... But has been turned down for a supervisor position TWICE NOW.... Just take a guess who got hired....And one has been promoted up to district supervisor...... and only has 8 years experience...
We actually talked with an attorney and nothing can be done... BUT... had it been the other way around... Lawyers would be fighting over us!
And 35 years ago as a young unmarried couple from NY moved to the NC Bible Belt..... lived in a camper for months because no one would rent
to us since we were living in sin....

 

[Aneeda72]

I don't know the racial make up for the Senior Forum, but I assume it's predominantly Caucasian. And since we are all typing away on computers, we have a roof over them, electricity to power them, and food to feed us. All in all, most of us have pretty secure lives. Maybe, not wealthy lives. But what if we weren't white, what if the 1,001 things that enabled us to have such a live didn't happen. So are some whites more privileged than others. When the Titanic sunk, was it privilege if you were in the life boat, or left on deck? Did the size of your bank account matter? While it's nice to say that anyone can make it, would asp3's life be identical, if he was born to a17 year old mother, who was a prostitute, and addicted to crack?

Actually, on the Titanic it did matter. The way I understand it the poorer people died in the bottom of the ship, lots didn’t make it to the deck.

 

[moviequeen1]

I don't consider myself priviledged,grew up in a middle class family with older sister,younger brother
Unlike my siblings,school work was difficult for me was put back in the 4th and 9th grade,at the time felt I was stupid.
From ages 10-16 was away from my family{except for holidays,summer vacation} for 6 yrs attending 2 boarding schools living with aunt&uncle for 2 yrs{worst time} thru it all I survived
I graduated from high school and 2 yr college,made a life for myself,I'm content and happy
That's all that matters to me

 

[Em in Ohio]

...In addition it requires social programs - scholarships, secure housing, affordable health care, job training and a fair rate of pay. If the relationships are not an option we can all speak up for the social programs. This is in everyone's self interest because a fair society where people are not facing barriers that are outside their control is a much better society for all of us. Peace is a consequence of justice and fairness.

Thanks, Warrigal. I'm so glad that I found your post. This line in particular stands out for me: " a fair society where people are not facing barriers that are outside their control is a much better society for all of us. Peace is a consequence of justice and fairness. " Beautifully written and meaningful.

 

[Nate007]

I grew up in near poverty and gradually, through hard work, entered a more comfortable mode of living where I can afford a couple of vacations yearly and occasionally treat myself to something nice. While I had very little privileges during my youth, I look back and acknowledge that I had white privilege.

Having white privilege doesn't mean that I had things easy on all aspects in my life. White privege doesn't mean I had no struggles to face. it specifically means that I never experienced any systemic hurdles due to my skin colour. I hate to admit it, but it look a while for me to acknowledge this, as my (wrongful) knee-jerk reaction to the term "white privilege" was that the term itself was accusing me of having it easy in all aspects of life.

 

[Ceege]

I remember in the 60's thinking that by the turn of the next century, racism would just be a bad chapter - a bad memory, for our country. Boy, am I dissappointed. I'm really disappointed that our government hasn't done more to end it. Better hate crime laws. Better education. But it will never happen as long as we have people in our Congress, Senate, and even our White House who are white nationalists.

 

[peppermint]

I remember in the 60's thinking that by the turn of the next century, racism would just be a bad chapter - a bad memory, for our country. Boy, am I dissappointed. I'm really disappointed that our government hasn't done more to end it. Better hate crime laws. Better education. But it will never happen as long as we have people in our Congress, Senate, and even our White House who are white nationalists.

Really!!!! A White Nationalist.....So who would you want? Ha!! Racism will be here forever...I lived a long time....Look at the
nasty people out in the streets and burning down innocent people that made their way for a living....How are they going to
build up again.....
We do have a better education....I worked there....Don't tell me about Better hate crime laws... Look We had a President who did nothing for 2 terms.....He did nothin!!!!!....And by the way, I voted for him...I don't like to bring this here....But you started it... Get your facts straight....
By the way, if your disappointed go to another country...…………….

 

[Sunny]

I was not "privileged" in the sense of having a lot of money, but I grew up in a stable, decent home with two loving parents who apparently thought I was the bee's knees. And, like the poem says, that has made all the difference.

 

[C'est Moi]

I remember in the 60's thinking that by the turn of the next century, racism would just be a bad chapter - a bad memory, for our country. Boy, am I dissappointed. I'm really disappointed that our government hasn't done more to end it. Better hate crime laws. Better education. But it will never happen as long as we have people in our Congress, Senate, and even our White House who are white nationalists.

What exactly do you propose the government do? More laws are not going to change human nature.

As for your white nationalist comment; politics are not allowed on this forum. And FYI, I am white, and I am a "nationalist." Who on earth does not believe in their own country? More spewed rhetoric without thought, IMO.

 

[Aneeda72]

What exactly do you propose the government do? More laws are not going to change human nature.

As for your white nationalist comment; politics are not allowed on this forum. And FYI, I am white, and I am a "nationalist." Who on earth does not believe in their own country? More spewed rhetoric without thought, IMO.

I agree, the government can not regulate how we feel towards each other. Let’s face fact a lot of blacks are prejudiced against the whites. It flows both ways.

 

[Nate007]

As for your white nationalist comment; politics are not allowed on this forum. And FYI, I am white, and I am a "nationalist." Who on earth does not believe in their own country? More spewed rhetoric without thought, IMO.

It's perfectly fine believing in your own country, but it's no secret that many who identify as white nationalists believe in more than just that. They believe in the notion of white supremacy and the separation of races. When Ceege was referring to white nationalists, those are the specific people who Ceege was talking about.

 

[C'est Moi]

It's perfectly fine believing in your own country, but it's no secret that many who identify as white nationalists believe in more than just that. They believe in the notion of white supremacy and the separation of races. When Ceege was referring to white nationalists, those are the specific people who Ceege was talking about.

How do you know what Ceege meant? And FYI... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nationalism

Nationalism is an ideology and movement that promotes interest of a particular nation (as in a group of people) especially with the aim of gaining and maintaining the nation's sovereignty (self-governance) over its homeland and uniting the different ethnicities of the nation.

 

[Nate007]

How do you know what Ceege meant? And FYI... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nationalism

Nationalism is an ideology and movement that promotes interest of a particular nation (as in a group of people) especially with the aim of gaining and maintaining the nation's sovereignty (self-governance) over its homeland and uniting the different ethnicities of the nation.

By reading her comment it seems very clear that she doesn't have anything against people who believe in their country (who happen to be white).
I could be wrong. If she does have something against anyone who believes in their country, then I would respectfully disagree with Ceege.

I would recommend looking up the entire term "White Nationalism" instead of just the word "Nationalism".

Here's a link:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_nationalism

 

[C'est Moi]

By reading her comment it seems very clear that she doesn't have anything against people who believe in their country (who happen to be white).
I could be wrong. If she does have something against anyone who believes in their country, then I would respectfully disagree with Ceege.

I would recommend looking up the entire term "White Nationalism" instead of just the word "Nationalism".

Here's a link:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_nationalism

I maintain that "white nationalism," much the same as "white privilege" are terms appropriated by those who have an agenda to push with one purpose: to further divide the country.

 

[Nate007]

I maintain that "white nationalism," much the same as "white privilege" are terms appropriated by those who have an agenda to push with one purpose: to further divide the country.

And you have every right to believe that. I also believe that in some cases it definitely has been appropriated by those who have an agenda, but at the same time those terms alone shouldn't be entirely dismissed as agenda-pushing. There are many cases where the terms white privilege and white nationalism are apt terms used to describe people/situations.

 

[JaniceM]

Because the English language has been "hijacked." and it's not only on this topic, but virtually everything.

I think this writer said it best:
“The basic tool for the manipulation of reality is the manipulation of words. If you can control the meaning of words, you can control the people who must use the words.” – Philip K. Dick

 

[asp3]

Because the English language has been "hijacked." and it's not only on this topic, but virtually everything.

I think this writer said it best:
“The basic tool for the manipulation of reality is the manipulation of words. If you can control the meaning of words, you can control the people who must use the words.” – Philip K. Dick

Great quote!

 

[Ceege]

The problem with racism in our country will never get better as long as there are people, not just condoning it, but encouraging it. I'm all for free speech, but we need to do a better job of educating future generations and not let them be poisoned by hateful mean-spirited teachings. I don't believe that racism should be a part of politics. It's a personal belief. We all have to decide what kind of world we want to live in. What kind of thoughts we want going through our minds.

 

[Ladybj]

Here's the first definition that came up for me when I looked for one online.

privilege - a special right, advantage, or immunity granted or available only to a particular person or group

I don't think that the definition has morphed at all, it's just been applied properly to differences that people experience in US society that are based on race. On can find numerous psychological and sociological studies that clearly show that within the US white people are given more respect and trust than blacks and Hispanics.

I don't know you and don't know your background so I can't really know if you weren't given anything. However if you're white and grew up in the US the probability is that you were given more respect, were given more trust more and were given more of the benefit of the doubt than black people in your community or in communities in the rest of the US.

I do understand that there are currently white people in the US who are not as privileged as others based on where they grew up, how they talk and other things. When Irish people came to the US many years ago there was a level of mistrust and discrimination they endured which was heartbreaking. In that case the privilege of those who were already in the US had nothing to do with race but everything to do with country of origin.

YIKES!!!!!! Available to a particular person or group!!!! Then I would say, EVERYONE is privileged..we are all special regardless of.... WE all have special rights.