If you don't believe there is white privilege in this country...

[badtoworse]

134. You're making my point: Consider Thomas in relation to what you posted in #86

In #86 you said, "If one group is negatively impacted by something; logic dictates that those not negatively impacted, accrue a systemic benefit, whether they choose to acknowledge it or not." I believe there are and have been many Vivien Thomas's in the black community and what they are prevented from accomplishing because of discrimination represents a loss for everyone.

Only Blaylock benefited from the discrimination that Thomas faced, and even then, only because he didn't have to share the credit with Thomas. Everyone benefited from Thomas' work because babies that previously died from blue baby syndrome could be saved. I believe that Thomas could have potentially accomplished a lot more absent the discrimination (what if he'd gotten a scholarship to Johns Hopkins instead?) and the extent to which discrimination prevented him from doing more was a loss to whites as well as blacks. Extend that idea to talented black kids that are being held back by discrimination and should see why I think Thomas is relevant - we're all hurt when talent is wasted.

Does a white person benefit if he or she is hired over a more qualified black person? Of course that one white person does, just as Blaylock benefited at Thomas' expense. don't agree that the benefit extends to whites as a group because on that level, other consequences come into play and again, Thomas is an illustration of that.