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Kurska

(5,739 posts)

74. Well, personally I don't like the term.

Fri Jan 10, 2014, 10:15 PM

Jan 2014

I think it gives off the wrong impression and I often don't like how it is used. People seems to talk about it like being born white is like being born on the easy setting of a video game. I've seen enough of the world to know there are some white babies coming out withdrawing from heroin, to parents who couldn't give less a of a damn and with very little possibility of social advancement. I'd say that kid has less of a chance than a black baby born to a billionaire. I certainly wouldn't describe his life as easy mode.

I also don't like how it is used. Ostensibly, it is supposed to be used to describe the overall condition of white people in general. More often than not, I see it used as a way to ascribe someone as "socially privileged" like it is a indelible trait at the core of that person's experience.

I think the underlying social phenomenon is obvious though, it is the applications of the derivative concepts that I often find dubious.

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For some of my fellow white people, who feel you have been victimized due to your race [View all] CreekDog Jan 2014 OP

It *does* occasionally happen, unfortunately. AverageJoe90 Jan 2014 #1

hit the nail on head HipChick Jan 2014 #5

I thank whomever alerted my OP, I really do thank them CreekDog Jan 2014 #132

oh puhleeze VanillaRhapsody Jan 2014 #26

Re: "right....sigh..."I have been racially stereotyped" ...come on man." You do realize..... AverageJoe90 Jan 2014 #33

AverageJoe... VanillaRhapsody Jan 2014 #37

..... AverageJoe90 Jan 2014 #54

this isn't about YOUR personal problems....do you understand??? VanillaRhapsody Jan 2014 #55

Re: "this isn't about YOUR personal problems....do you understand???" Never said it was. AverageJoe90 Jan 2014 #60

Now you asked me if I ever experienced it myself in the other thread... VanillaRhapsody Jan 2014 #61

"Now you asked me if I ever experienced it myself in the other thread..." Where? AverageJoe90 Jan 2014 #65

This is surreal. Hosnon Jan 2014 #107

Thanks, I guess. AverageJoe90 Jan 2014 #109

he is, he really is. CreekDog Jan 2014 #134

Your "other point" is that White privilege doesn't exist...becuase VanillaRhapsody Jan 2014 #68

And, as far as I can see, I haven't *directly* benefitted from "White Privilege". AverageJoe90 Jan 2014 #75

If you're white, you benefit from white privilege. nt. Hosnon Jan 2014 #108

it happened to me a couple times. nothing major but it was enough to feel what it was like, dionysus Jan 2014 #100

I don't recall any real-life incidents towards myself, to be truthful. AverageJoe90 Jan 2014 #104

here's what happened. dionysus Jan 2014 #112

But nobody here is saying that. Throd Jan 2014 #2

UMmmmmm... 99Forever Jan 2014 #3

Agreed. What total loser posted this thread? Must be a rwnj here as a troll. nt okaawhatever Jan 2014 #10

I'm not so sure of *that*, per se..... AverageJoe90 Jan 2014 #34

OK, so let me see pipi_k Jan 2014 #150

I imagine many dullards also believe that social issues are "yummy flamebait" LanternWaste Jan 2014 #13

Oh boy another divisive white people vs. everyone else thread n/t Kurska Jan 2014 #4

the op is white JI7 Jan 2014 #7

And...? n/t Kurska Jan 2014 #11

so it's not about white people v everyone else as many white people agree with the op JI7 Jan 2014 #12

So because he/she is white they can't make a divisive OP? Kurska Jan 2014 #14

I have many white friends! CreekDog Jan 2014 #16

LOL !!! WillyT Jan 2014 #19

... Kurska Jan 2014 #21

thank you!!!! VanillaRhapsody Jan 2014 #27

You lie! Dr. Strange Jan 2014 #53

Nothing wrong with that. goldent Jan 2014 #143

Some of your best friends, perhaps? riqster Jan 2014 #151

Hahah! nt cinnabonbon Jan 2014 #155

The OP, as a white person, is speaking from her personal knowledge. Gormy Cuss Jan 2014 #24

for some people it seems the truth.....Owwwwwwiiieee it burns! VanillaRhapsody Jan 2014 #28

That's not what I felt. I wasn't personally offended by this. AverageJoe90 Jan 2014 #38

Personally offended by what??? VanillaRhapsody Jan 2014 #40

Um, I assume by the OP n/t Kurska Jan 2014 #42

So... whats the "truth" here exactly? Kurska Jan 2014 #41

I don't think OP's personal knowledge extrapolates well to all white people. Kurska Jan 2014 #36

How is there a disagreement that there is Racism Misogyny and Homophobia in the U.S.? VanillaRhapsody Jan 2014 #43

lolwut Kurska Jan 2014 #44

Discrimination? Perhaps you've heard of it? VanillaRhapsody Jan 2014 #49

Yes actually, I have. Kurska Jan 2014 #56

Then why are you arguing FOR White people saying they are not "privileged" VanillaRhapsody Jan 2014 #58

Again, lolwut Kurska Jan 2014 #59

If you agree on the basics, then why does the term "white privilege" seem to bother you so much? nomorenomore08 Jan 2014 #62

Well, personally I don't like the term. Kurska Jan 2014 #74

So how do you feel about the term Homophobic? VanillaRhapsody Jan 2014 #89

"Ostensibly, it is... used to describe the overall condition of white people in general." nomorenomore08 Jan 2014 #110

well put, sir. dionysus Jan 2014 #113

Okay then....this is what this is about...You are arguing with my position which is...that they DO! VanillaRhapsody Jan 2014 #63

Are you gay? Kurska Jan 2014 #77

No Everyone is NOT...White Men... VanillaRhapsody Jan 2014 #78

So, you're denying your straight privilege? Kurska Jan 2014 #79

NO I am NOT.... VanillaRhapsody Jan 2014 #80

I have no idea who "he" even is. n/t Kurska Jan 2014 #81

Average Joe...earlier is was LumberJack...somebody.. VanillaRhapsody Jan 2014 #82

I think you may legitimately not be in the sub-thread you think you are. n/t Kurska Jan 2014 #83

I think you replied to someone who was also replying to this person.... VanillaRhapsody Jan 2014 #84

Who's LumberJack? AverageJoe90 Jan 2014 #91

they guy before you that tried to make the same tired argument. VanillaRhapsody Jan 2014 #94

Please provide a link to back this up. lumberjack_jeff Jan 2014 #124

There isn't any disagreement there. AverageJoe90 Jan 2014 #88

YES All White people DO... VanillaRhapsody Jan 2014 #90

And again, this is a complex issue in which dualistic thinking doesn't apply well. AverageJoe90 Jan 2014 #93

it is NOT complex at ALL..in fact it is quite simple... VanillaRhapsody Jan 2014 #95

Again, I've been trying to point out..... AverageJoe90 Jan 2014 #102

wait so cinnabonbon Jan 2014 #156

Message auto-removed Name removed Jan 2014 #119

Of course an individual of whatever group can experience "ism", but to say privilege does not exist uppityperson Jan 2014 #120

Message auto-removed Name removed Jan 2014 #121

The real problem is certain groups experience bigotry, arrest, lower wages, suspicion, poorer school uppityperson Jan 2014 #122

Message auto-removed Name removed Jan 2014 #139

"blame innocent white people for your own individual circumstances & poor life choices". Wow. uppityperson Jan 2014 #141

Did an RW troll come into DU cinnabonbon Jan 2014 #157

If you are White YOU HAVE benefitted from it...no doubt about it. VanillaRhapsody Jan 2014 #126

So let's talk about your timeline a bit... Agschmid Jan 2014 #127

there ARE exceptions to the rule...but YOU have benefitted whether you like it or not... VanillaRhapsody Jan 2014 #125

Message auto-removed Name removed Jan 2014 #128

Because until privilege is acknowledged to exist, things can not change to lessen it. Not trying to uppityperson Jan 2014 #129

Message auto-removed Name removed Jan 2014 #133

It is impossible to do away with actions based on bigotry as it will hurt those being disadvantaged? uppityperson Jan 2014 #136

Message auto-removed Name removed Jan 2014 #138

So don't try and work toward equality. Don't work towards making schools be more comparable because uppityperson Jan 2014 #140

Have to say I agree with you 100% VanillaRhapsody Jan 2014 #153

Thanks. I agree that none of us fit JUST 1 group, but if you compare 1 characteristic, typically 1 uppityperson Jan 2014 #154

but those things aren't a result of systemic and structural racism, mysogyny, and homophobia... VanillaRhapsody Jan 2014 #147

No its not pointless...its very important. VanillaRhapsody Jan 2014 #146

no we are talking about something specific and endemic.... VanillaRhapsody Jan 2014 #144

Please explain to me then "Black privilege" VanillaRhapsody Jan 2014 #145

You and Gormy cinnabonbon Jan 2014 #158

I think it's causing hostility from people who are uncomfortable discussing the topic Gormy Cuss Jan 2014 #45

I think race relations are an uncomfortable topic for many people white, black or otherwise Kurska Jan 2014 #47

Why is being truthful "flippant"? VanillaRhapsody Jan 2014 #51

I'm still not getting what glorious and objective truth that is being imparted here n/t Kurska Jan 2014 #57

SOME people on this thread ARE denying White Privilege... VanillaRhapsody Jan 2014 #66

Re: "the truth is because they don't as a rule have adverse things happen to them". AverageJoe90 Jan 2014 #70

The fact that White people "do not suffer the latter" VanillaRhapsody Jan 2014 #71

You and I are on the same page, I believe. AverageJoe90 Jan 2014 #92

NO we are not...YOU don't think you have been privileged... VanillaRhapsody Jan 2014 #96

#92 was in reply to Kurska, though.....I think you may have misread me there. nt AverageJoe90 Jan 2014 #98

This message was self-deleted by its author CreekDog Jan 2014 #135

Have you seen the Edward R. Murphy study pintobean Jan 2014 #8

This is SO not helping tkmorris Jan 2014 #6

Yeah, true. AverageJoe90 Jan 2014 #9

How is this an "us vs "them" VanillaRhapsody Jan 2014 #29

The History of White People in America-- a great, satirical mockumentary made in 1985 by Martin Mull LanternWaste Jan 2014 #15

My mom bought the book when i was a kid CreekDog Jan 2014 #17

"How White People Talk" eh? n/t Skip Intro Jan 2014 #115

and they can't dance worth a shit, either! dionysus Jan 2014 #118

Yes, in fact. And even though it sounds like a joke CreekDog Jan 2014 #130

Yes, it's a book. Do you read bro? CreekDog Jan 2014 #148

It sounds interesting. I will go look for it. cinnabonbon Jan 2014 #159

We're real privileged here in Appalachia. Boy, I tell you what. ProgressSaves Jan 2014 #18

I think you missed it... Gravitycollapse Jan 2014 #23

Have you been racially profiled...has anyone ever followed you around a store VanillaRhapsody Jan 2014 #30

Even working-class white people do have certain relative advantages, such as those you named. nomorenomore08 Jan 2014 #67

EXACTLY....I have been trying all day to get this concept across to Joe.... VanillaRhapsody Jan 2014 #69

Though this is undoubtedly true, there are still some issues with the use of the word "privilege"... AverageJoe90 Jan 2014 #97

Fine-tuning one's message is certainly not a bad thing. nomorenomore08 Jan 2014 #111

VR, I am a white female Blue_In_AK Jan 2014 #116

You have more privilege than the people of color who also live in Appalachia. Gormy Cuss Jan 2014 #39

Social class is a very important factor that many downplay, for whatever reasons. nomorenomore08 Jan 2014 #64

Now don't rain reality on the hate parade. Skip Intro Jan 2014 #117

Someone needs a hug Fumesucker Jan 2014 #20

I think we should talk about hurtful anti-can bigotry Warren DeMontague Jan 2014 #22

someone HATES THESE CANS! CreekDog Jan 2014 #137

I know of one instance lancer78 Jan 2014 #25

OMG!!!!! VanillaRhapsody Jan 2014 #32

Actually lancer78 Jan 2014 #149

then there you go..."this is very rare" (if this story is true...sounds like "Welfare Queen" woo VanillaRhapsody Jan 2014 #152

This sounds made up. Similar to the stories my grandparents used to tell me... Gravitycollapse Jan 2014 #35

that sounds like when i heard some "asians don't pay taxes" from someone JI7 Jan 2014 #50

And another reason not to slam ones head continually whistler162 Jan 2014 #31

Who says "the 60s are over?" Eleanors38 Jan 2014 #46

Let's all watch how the professionals get the point across VanillaRhapsody Jan 2014 #48

The Lord loves a workin' man... Sheldon Cooper Jan 2014 #76

'You mean i'm gonna stay this color?' BWAHAHA! freshwest Jan 2014 #86

"I cooked you your favorite meal VanillaRhapsody Jan 2014 #87

You are not a victim, I am! No, I am a bigger victim! Pick me! You can't be one, only me The Straight Story Jan 2014 #52

We all have relative advantages and disadvantages in life. I'll agree with that much. nomorenomore08 Jan 2014 #73

I can concur with that. eom AverageJoe90 Jan 2014 #105

OMG! What did you do? Why did you start this OP? NealK Jan 2014 #72

This is some silly shit. n/t Comrade Grumpy Jan 2014 #85

... cherokeeprogressive Jan 2014 #99

Are you fucking serious? cherokeeprogressive Jan 2014 #101

ffs NoOneMan Jan 2014 #103

the department i worked in for many years had 5 employees -- DesertFlower Jan 2014 #106

Um, your racism is showing. Skip Intro Jan 2014 #114

Maybe you should stay in teh lounge where you won't be referred to as a DOUCHEBAG. madinmaryland Jan 2014 #123

Actually ever since the Lounge wars of 2009, I was called a d-bag and worse CreekDog Jan 2014 #161

I don't White People with you. cherokeeprogressive Jan 2014 #131

You don't liberal with me either CreekDog Jan 2014 #160

Ahh Steve Martin fromchaos Jan 2014 #142