In a perfect world, having an advantage over another due to the color of one’s skin would be nonexistent. We don’t live in a perfect world.
White privilege began the moment European settlers asserted themselves over Native Americans. Throughout American history, white privilege was tangibly relevant. The days of slavery. Sharecropping and plantations. Japanese concentration camps in WWII. Jim Crow laws. The Caucasian race has remained at the top of America’s societal totem poll. There’s a large argument for class here, so I’ll touch that lightly.
We have to understand white privilege does not mean “all white people have it grand.” That couldn’t be further from the truth. Poverty does not care who it touches, and this includes white people. Most white people will balk at any notion that white skin benefits them. Especially those of the lower and middle classes. If poverty has touched me or I’m struggling to pay my bills, then how am I privileged? If I’m working just as hard, if not harder, than my counterparts, then how do I have an advantage? What is the benefit of being white?
The benefit of the doubt.
That doesn’t seem like much. Especially in 2018 where people honestly believe every American has equal opportunities (They’re woefully wrong). However, the benefit of the doubt can mean life and death. In less intense situations, white privilege is implanted in the fabric of American society in several different areas. From the idea that people of color occupy the majority of welfare, to being seen as a criminal while shopping, there are some situations white people won’t experience. They get the benefit of the doubt.
This may anger some, and rightfully so. No one wants their hard work attributed to their skin color. Conversely, no one wants to be deemed less competent because of their skin color. The problem with the idea of white privilege is its immersion in perception. Perception is shaped by experience which means it can be relentlessly argued because experiences differ. Throngs of people, regardless of race, resist the idea of white privilege because their experience tells them otherwise. This begs a question.
Does white privilege exist?
Yes, it does. The very idea of white privilege exposes the perception of differential treatment between whites and people of color. This perception was an American reality until the day Jim Crow laws were deemed illegal. This is the day legal, palpable distinctions in treatment regressed to an idea. Fast forward to current days, and this idea is a myth to some and a phenomenon to others. A lot of people fail to realize several systems fail people of color all the time. The justice system being one of them. So much so that cases are being overturned regarding wrongly accused black men who were killed for false accusations.
Clearly, there are still race issues in America no matter how much people try to be colorblind. The complexity of these issues only deepen as we further ourselves from the day of Jim Crow. Nonetheless, these issues are real even when people refuse to believe it. Just ask someone about white privilege.
They’ll tell you it doesn’t exist.
Sources
A Fresh Voice 
Quite interesting Jarrod. This write up made me sigh and shake my head because while reading it I recalled a video I saw where this Caucasian lady (I think she was a psychologist or professor, not sure which) asked the white individuals in the audience if they believed that blacks were treated differently. Many said no. She then asked who would be willing to trade places with the black community and no one responded. That video spoke volumes and it conveyed a point you touched on in your post. Many are oblivious or in denial or simply do not care until they are confronted with reality and then they run for cover. We still have a long way to go since the ‘separation’ has been removed but in many cases there is a great disparity in equality among races. Laws can change but ignorance will forever be a choice.
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Excellent voice
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shielders anonymous – so because white people wouldn’t trade places with black people, white privilege? Wow, nice connection there, those sociologists must of missed that goldmine. But seriously, ask black people if they would switch with white people. Just because there is a difference between the races does not, I repeat, does not, mean racism. People like you need to prove it empirically, with data, or be quiet about things because I have no white guilt and neither should any other white person.
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I’m just asking. Who said you need to feel guilty for being white? I hear this a lot from people who tend to automatically get defensive at the mention of white privilege. Most of these people refuse to accept that there is a perceptual difference between whites and people of color. In short, it’s denial.
The experiment shielders anonymous is talking about is from Jane Elliot. She’s a noted anti racism activist. Check an example below.
P.S. Be proud of who you are, no one said you shouldn’t be…
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