White Privilege And Racial Discrimination - 1924 Words

Since the 2016 election, the topics of white privilege and racism have become more relevant in society than ever before and is discussed by both political parties. White privilege refers to any benefits or opportunities from societal injustice experienced by white people, but not enjoyed by other races (Hossain, 2015). While this issue has been prevalent for a long time, more people are focusing on it and thus heightening tensions caused by denial. White privilege exists as part of America’s framework and therefore is not a matter of individuals. It will continue to exist whether or not a person has Black friends, is â€Å"color blind† to race, is 1/32 Native American, dates someone of a different race, or is poor. White people must accept†¦show more content†¦She explains that during her education, there was no lesson on viewing herself as being in an unjust position of power (McIntosh, 1990). Many people don’t believe that their lives can be controlled by their race, but rather by their willpower and determination because of what the American education system teaches them. Of course, effort does determine what people can accomplish, but race determines how much effort it will take in order to accomplish the goal. For example, when white people obtain better jobs, more effortlessly than African Americans due to their race, they earn more money and are able to send their children to better schools. This causes African American children to compete for jobs against white children who have received a better education, all because of their race. Additionally, when people are addressed with the issues that they receive certain advantages, they still continue their claims of meritocracy because of how they have been raised. Chen Yea-Wen and Nathaniel Simmons demonstrate this when they teach structural racism to white students. They discuss that one white student remarks that just because she’s white, doesn’t mean that she d oesn’t need to work hard. While true, she still ignores that she has certain advantages that others do not due to their race (Yea-Wen Simmons, 2015). Know as the â€Å"the land of the free†, America’sShow MoreRelatedWhite Privilege And Racial Discrimination1241 Words   |  5 PagesMany people in our country do not enjoy the same privileges as others do. Some people have the best jobs, the best cars, and essentially the best life. Others, however, live in low income neighborhoods, do not even own a car, and are struggling every day of their life. The clear distinction between these two types of people is their skin color. People of color are at a constant disadvantage in our economy, society, and environment. This leads to different experiences that minorities face in everyRead MoreRacial Prejudice And Racial Discrimination Essay1347 Words   |  6 PagesRacial discrimination is one of many terms used to express the suppression of a race or many races, but mo re specifically, it refers to the ill-treatment a person or group receives as a result of differences in their race, color, descent, national, ethnic origin or immigrant status. (Australian Human Rights Commission, 2016). Racial discrimination can be perpetrated by individuals within society, and corporate institutions such as schools, the work force and the government, all of which we have seenRead MoreAnalysis and Evaluation of The Pathology of White Privilege by Tim Wise1378 Words   |  6 PagesLittle White Lies: An Analysis and Evaluation of â€Å"The Pathology of White Privilege† by Tim Wise Growing up in the United States, racism is an issue one cannot help but hear about at one point or another. Racial inequality and discrimination is a topic that comes up every February with Black History Month, and is often talked about in high school history classes around the country. But that is what it is considered to the majority of people: history. Most students are taught that, while there areRead MoreWhite Privilege And Black Privilege1578 Words   |  7 PagesWhite privilege is the ability for whites to maintain an elevated status in society that masks racial inequality. It is also considered a system of advantage based on race, as well as societal privileges that benefit white people. It is usually known as the â€Å"other†, or the opposite side of discrimination. Some people in society, typically people of color, feel as though people with white skin have benefits over people of color, just because they’re white. White privilege is sometimes seen as a highe rRead MoreEssay about Racial Equality869 Words   |  4 PagesRacial and Ethnic Inequality Ashley N. Sellers Ivy Tech Community College Abstract In the article â€Å"Whites Swim in Racial Preference† whites really don’t realize how much we are readily handed compared to those of a different race or ethnicity. In this article it mainly focuses on how the University of Michigan discriminates against non-white racial groups with their points system. I have found that even though it is equally shared, it is much easier for whites to obtain points than blacksRead MoreRacial Discrimination : A Nation Of Our Nation, By Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.1645 Words   |  7 Pageslack the strength of acknowledgment to alter the course of racial discrimination and conquer prejudice. Has the formation of structural discrimination rooted itself too deeply into our subconscious that hope for rehabilitation seems unattainable? As a nation, we voted a man with a white mother from Kansas and a black father from Kenya as the first multiracial President of the United States. Racism has not been eradicated because of the racial backgr ound of President Barrack Obama and we have not accomplishedRead MoreRacism : Racism And Discrimination1432 Words   |  6 Pagesnow and in the future, many citizens stubbornly cling to old, outdated and preconceived racial prejudices. For my experiment, I seek to further study and assess ongoing racism and discrimination by discovering and exploring the difference in potentially racist views between men and women (i.e., by gender). For instance, are white males within a certain age range more likely to hold racist attitudes than white women within the same age range? And, if so, what reasons or triggers may be causing suchRead MoreWhites Swim in a Racial Preference Essay981 Words   |  4 PagesRacial Preference 1 Whites Swim in Racial Preference assignment Pamela McCormick Third written assignment Ivy Tech Community College Sociology 111 Diana Lyerson-Breland 07/01/2012 Racial Preference 2 According to T. Wise, few whites have ever thought of our position as resulting from racial preferences which also is a demarcation of privilege that is the necessary flipside of discrimination (Wise, 2003). As a society we want to believe that racism is a thing of the past, however,Read MoreWhite Privilege And Black Privilege1732 Words   |  7 PagesWhite privilege is an advantage in society that is unmerited. Though it is practiced in every day life (whether it’s subtle or not), the majority views it as â€Å"absurd† and â€Å"non-existent†. It is a taboo that creates feelings of guilt, hostility and anger, but it must be addressed and understood in order to be eradicated. It is necessary for white people to acknowledge their part in maintaining and benefiting from a society that has thrived on racial hierarchy and white supremacy for centuries. WhiteRead MoreRacial Profiling : The United States Essay1326 Words   |  6 PagesRacial Profiling The United States of America, a country founded on diversity, remains ingrained with hypocritical ideas with respect to its very foundations of freedom and independence. America shows no mercy in the prejudice actions towards its minorities. The United States of America contributes greatly towards the injustice of minorities and giving privilege towards its â€Å"native† people yet not all â€Å"natives† are greatly loved in the country as Neil Foley, author of Becoming Hispanic: Mexican