Asclepias
Diamond Member
Assuming white privilege, as you describe it, exists, what do you think can/should be done about it?
Academically we can stop lying and pretending white people did anything more than take what they learned from other civilizations and use it as a foundation to advance themselves while holding back others. We shouldn't be celebrating people like Columbus as a hero since he was a bumbling ass and mass murderer that accidently landed in the Americas. He didn't discover America. the NA's were already here. Each ethnicity/race should learn about their contributions to World history and how their people saw the world before learning American history. Not some white persons version but the actual truth.
Economically, short of redistribution, AA or reparations are the only two things can be done unless someone comes up with something better. The problem with AA is that it affects low income whites and thats is why you see the low hanging fruit whining about it. The problem with reparations is the same as we see on this thread . A steadfast refusal to admit the past has any bearing on the present situation. Lots of whites would rather pretend they have all the economic wealth by virtue of hard work done on a level playing field. Secretly they look at institutions like the NBA and see what happens when Blacks and whites compete on equal footing. They cant take the reality of things as it destroys the illusion of white superiority.
Socially, things will have to work themselves out over time. As more and more whites lose their racists attitudes they will be able see things through the eyes of others and realize they have had the wool pulled over their eyes for centuries as have Black people. They will see Blacks succeed in every area of life and with that will come acceptance. Right now I see it in my childrens white friends. They know we are Black but to them its just a trait we have. It neither intimidates them or impresses them.
I get the impression that you want to demonize white people in history while promoting others. Perhaps you think that is the way history has unfolded, that whites have been suppressing others while those others have not done the same, I'm not sure.
I disagree that each race should learn their contributions before learning American history, at least as far as public school policy is concerned. I think American history should be taught first, as accurately and unbiased as possible. I have no problems with more specific racial history being taught, but as a secondary thing. Better to teach shared history before pointing out any differences. You seem to want differences highlighted first, as though to assure that each racial segment feels separate from the others.
I cannot accept reparations as viable or valid. I believe you've asked about what the cut off point should be before, and to me, it would be the immediate family of those who the reparations are for.
As to AA, I have always been a bit torn about it. I think it was a necessary evil in a way, needed to combat a worse evil in the racism that has been so rampant in this country. However, it has always seemed to me to be a clear case of government discrimination. Again, it was probably necessary when first implemented because of the discrimination against minorities and women at the time, but I'm not sure that remains the case now. I would prefer that it be abolished, as I don't like government elevating a group of people based on something as foolish as race or gender. The question, of course, is if white, male privilege is still prevalent enough in this country to make AA the lesser evil, hence this thread. I don't believe it is, but I'm more than willing to admit I don't have the experience to say that with any authority.
White men have most certainly had a great advantage over others for most of this country's history. I think, or maybe hope is more accurate, that at this point we have gotten far enough past that that we're better off avoiding or getting rid of things which highlight our differences, be they racial or gender based. I'm not a particular proponent of nationalism, but I think it is a better sort of pride for society than racial, ethnic, or gender based pride. If we must look at each other with labels, seeing people as Americans first will allow for a more stable and harmonious society.
I've rambled a bit and quite likely been unclear here and there, so I'll quit while I'm still ahead.
I dont need to demonize whites in history History does that itself when it is actually truthful. At the same time you cannot deny that there has always been a segment of the white population that has always assisted in making things better for non whites.
The reason children should learn their particular ethnicities history first is part and parcel of combating white privilege. I was taught African and African American history before I ever set foot in a public school. I was only allowed to watch TV if a Black show was on. I was not subjected to the constant stream of information that promoted white superiority and culture. Because I had that strong background in who I was and where my people came from, when I went to school I did not have a complex caused by being taught white is right overtly or subliminally. i had the confidence to excel in school because I knew i could do it. When I asked my parents about things that conflicted with what I had been taught at home they told me to just do as the teacher asked but to always know the truth I was taught at home. This knowledge of who you are and where you come from is way more important to success than American history. All of my children were raised the same way and all of them have excelled.
The reason reparations should be a viable alternative is because it does not affect low income whites economically as AA does. Reparations would only affect their egos which they would just have to get over.
Since the strangle hold whites have held over this country's infrastructure and resources still exists, white privilege itself still exists.