Writing this column sort of feels like standing on a platform
with a noose around my neck, because talking about this subject is
neither socially acceptable nor risk free. By “risk
free,” I mean that someone will misinterpret what I have to
say, consider me a racist and stop listening to the real point I am
trying to make.
Recently, the idea of “white privilege” (the belief
that whites are inherently better off in our system since they are
traditionally not exposed to racism) was brought up by our
Undergraduate Students Association Council president, Mike de la
Rocha. It was his opinion that Elizabeth Houston’s election
as next year’s USAC president was the direct result of
Proposition 209 (which ended affirmative action in state-sponsored
programs). His exact words were, “Her victory is the epitome
of white privilege.”
I cannot express how angered I was to read these words, and how
relieved I was to later learn from many of my friends (from varying
races and backgrounds) that they too found this comment to be
unfounded and demeaning toward white people. What the comment did
inspire in me was a lot of hard thinking about what it means to be
a white person nowadays.
There are many white people who acknowledge and believe that
white privilege exists, and who do not support policies like
Proposition 209. I don’t understand how anyone who is capable
of thinking for themselves can conclude that white privilege does
not exist in our system today.
But I must say that I do feel discriminated against as a white
person. I have no intention of asserting that discrimination
against whites is worse than discrimination against those of other
races.
And it’s true, I am not affected by racism in the same way
many others are ““ my privilege still allows me to find a job,
live in a suburb and go to a good school.
I heard someone say in class the other day that for a long time,
it was OK for whites to be derogatory and hateful to other groups.
She said that it is almost as though now it is white people who are
experiencing the hate that other groups are finally free to
express. I found that comment interesting, and perhaps somewhat
true. But if the goal is to end racism, it should not entail the
bashing of whites in the name of retribution. And do two wrongs
make a right? Is vengeful reverse discrimination any answer?
I’m sure there are many white people who make assumptions
about and discriminate against people of other races. But equally
so, there is a long line of those who feel resentment toward whites
(sometimes even simply because of a history we cannot change). A
lot of people in our nation’s history were seriously harmed
and taken advantage of. I do not blame anyone for having a certain
degree of resentment, because it would be inhuman to not feel
wronged and oppressed by racism.
But that doesn’t do a whole lot for moving forward.
Transferring the rage into a new kind of racism only creates more
tension. The question we face in modern society is how to remedy
the advantages that whites do receive. But there are many forces
working in opposition, and at least one of them is an unchanging
and colossal enemy: history.
When you look historically at racism in the United States, you
have to admit that the idea of equality of opportunity for everyone
(by law at least ) is a relatively new one. The Civil Rights
movement occurred only about 40 years ago, and in the span of human
existence, that is merely a minute of time. It should be
anticipated that animosity and frustration will accompany the
struggle to give all people equal opportunities. Humanity has never
successfully achieved this before.
When civil rights won the battle, it occurred only on paper. In
practice, history had already created a sharp class difference
between white people and everyone else. It is my contention that
what we face now in America is more of (or equally) a class-based
problem. You do not find many whites in impoverished parts of town.
I think this problem is rooted in history.
When suburbanization took hold in the 1940s and 1950s, we were
living under the ridiculous “separate but equal”
doctrine. It was the white people who had the first chance to get
out of town, while minority groups were stuck in the inner city
with all of the woes that went along with it.
So going into the 21st century, wealth is distributed unevenly,
and the people who are getting screwed are minorities. We as a
society are now seeking out ways to remedy the gaping social
cleavages that have come as a consequence of our nation’s
history.
And there are white people who want to be a part of the
solution. That’s what disturbed me so much about our USAC
president’s comment. I can concede that I will never know
racism in the demeaning and frustrating way a Latino person would.
But on behalf of a lot of white people out there, I wish to speak
loudly by saying that we want to help too. We want to listen, but
we are also afraid.
And I guarantee you, we did not look at the list of names on the
USAC ballot and simply vote for those who were white.
My knees would be knocking relentlessly if I showed up at an
African Student Union meeting. My first thought would be, “I
wonder how many of the people here hate whites.”
Nevertheless, I think it would be good to place myself in that
situation, because every black person who barged into all-white
schools probably suffered the same thoughts manifold. I have so
many questions I want to ask, so that I can be informed and know
how to help.
But as a white person, there is always the fear that members of
other races will hate and resent me because of our nation’s
history ““ which, in all honesty, I might even be embarrassed
by and have no control over.
Some people have told me that they feel a sort of
“two-ness,” like having to be a hyphenated person (for
example an African-American or Asian-American). They feel that
being American is defined by being white, and they must therefore
clarify what distinct version of citizen they are. What are
American issues anyway? Abortion, gun control, campaign finance …
these are everyone’s issues.
It was pointed out to me that minorities have the issue of
diversity in addition to others on their list of important issues.
I’ll agree with that. But I also want to emphasize that white
people think it is important too. Maybe not in the same endearing
way, but they are still willing to fight the fight, and vote on the
measures that will bring about change.
None of us want to be narrow-minded bigots. But the truth is,
many whites harbor uncomfortable feelings about members of other
races (before getting to know them) simply because there is always
the fear of being blamed for what you didn’t do, for what
your ancestors might have done and for what you don’t believe
in. We are just as afraid of prejudices.
That is why racism is a problem for everyone, and excluding a
large group that is made up of many powerful and intelligent people
is not a good approach to achieving actual freedom. The goal should
be to gain power and knowledge for the people who have been denied
it for so long ““ to work for the improved standard of living
and education in bad neighborhoods, to combat the effects of
history with new ideas, fresh minds and lots of energy.
Everyone’s energy.