General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: If you don't believe there is white privilege in this country... [View all]gollygee
(22,336 posts)get a great deal of privilege from the assumption that we might very well be married to or otherwise involved with a white man. So if a white woman gets a job, it still benefits white men a good portion of the time. Also, an ability to empathize with her assumed husband, as in "I'd want my wife to have a job this good." I wonder if women whom the interviewers assumed were lesbians benefitted from it. I'd guess not. And I wonder how many of the women who benefit are wearing wedding rings.
I've noticed how I get some privilege from the assumption of a white husband if I mention him. (I don't wear a wedding ring.) If I am having a hard time with someone, and I say, "Oh, my husband said . . . " there's an immediate and palatable change in tone and demeanor. That is what made me come to the above conclusion about us receiving some of our husband's privilege in addition to our own white privilege.