Is it normal that i'm tired of hearing about white/male "privilege"?

24 Comments

It seems like everywhere I turn online, in the media, even increasingly in real life, I am bombarded with this talk about "while privilege" or "male privilege." People seem to want to harangue others daily for the circumstances of their birth. When I complain about this, people tell me it is just evidence of my privilege-blindness and that I must be some kind of crypto-racist or secret misogynist. I'm not. I just don't like hearing 24/7 about how evil I am for being born a white man.

Yes, this is getting old 18
Yes, people who call you out on your "privilege" are being racist/sexi 5
No, it is a conversation worth having 17
No, if you don't like being criticized you must be evil 0
WHAT IS THIS? 0
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Comments ( 24 )
  • modernism
    9 years ago

    No one who has common sense thinks that because you are born a white male, you are evil. That's prestigious itself, just like any other stereotype.

    The white and/or male privilege definitely existed (in general, not applying to everyone) years ago in history, though it also has definitely died down. It's completely uncalled for for someone to call you out on your "privilege" (whether it exists today is whole other discussion). Despite it's status, it's something out of your control.

    It's normal to be tired of it, but regardless, I voted for it being a conversation worth having. It's good to address things that bother people rather than ignoring the issue all together.

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    • [Old Memory]
      9 years ago

      Good response!

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      • modernism
        9 years ago

        Thanks. :) I'm trying to be a bit neutral here since looking at the comments, this is a pretty heated topic.

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        • [Old Memory]
          9 years ago

          Yeah, I can see that. Just don't mention anyone else possibly being privileged when they're not white or male. IIN no likey that. ;)

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  • [Old Memory]
    9 years ago

    No one is haranguing you specifically for your incidental identification with privileged groups of society; they are, more or less, raising consciousness about certain cultural elements in our society (which you yourself may not ENTIRELY be responsible for, but already existed in your culture prior to your birth) which are deemed to more likely result in unearned benefits for one of your disposition, often at the expense of one who doesn't posses the traits that you have. The likelihood that you will be seen as an 'other' if you can be identified as part of the default group is remarkably slim, and you benefit from such.

    Again, if you're not a racist or misogynist yourself, then cool; however, the groups to which you belong are noted for their racism and misogyny, and that is what is being addressed in most circumstances. If you haven't already, try understanding where these people are coming from. If you agree with all, some, or none of what they're saying, that's cool, just talk with others about why you feel that way (ideas are meant to be shared, after all), and if other people get super-pissed about it, try to be patient.

    -democritusjr, radical-feminazi mangina and card-carrying member of the Church of Latter Day Self-Hating White People.

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    • [Old Memory]
      9 years ago

      "Noted for their racism and misogyny?" I wonder how Blacks would react if I addressed them as a race noted for their sky-high crime rates, pathetically low cultural achievements, and proclivity for shouting at inappropriate times. Oh yeah, I'd be seen as nothing short of a narrow-minded bigot.

      And it's to be expected for Whites to be slightly favored in Western society; can you truly not understand why this is? Think about it, would you go to Japan, look around and say "Hey, this is terribly offensive - it's like this country was specifically tailored for JAPANESE people!"

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      • [Old Memory]
        9 years ago

        "'Noted for their racism and misogyny?'I wonder how Blacks would react if I addressed them as a race noted for their sky-high crime rates, pathetically low cultural achievements, and proclivity for shouting at inappropriate times. Oh yeah, I'd be seen as nothing short of a narrow-minded bigot."

        Thanks for proving my point.

        The 'pathetically low cultural achievements' is questionable, considering that there have been plenty of black inventors, poets, doctors, etc. That's probably still more than you'll ever produce, but instead you'd rather claim the fruits of other whites' labor as your own.

        Higher crime rates are generally seen amongst people of the lower classes. If you want to see how docile and law-abiding white people can be, come to some of the poorer white places in the south(US). Considering the cultural and historical elements which have kept blacks in the lower echelons of society (slavery, Jim Crow, 'Separate but Equal') it shouldn't be too surprising that they entertain these places in our society - inequality produces higher-crime rates.

        "And it's to be expected for Whites to be slightly favored in Western society; can you truly not understand why this is? Think about it, would you go to Japan, look around and say 'Hey, this is terribly offensive - it's like this country was specifically tailored for JAPANESE people!'"

        Completely forgetting that blacks were brought to west by force (and one of these western countries was remade in white man's image AFTER he exterminated the natives). Arabs and middle-easterners started pouring into the west AFTER the displacement brought about through the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan; it's not like all of these people necessarily 'choose' to end up in your precious lands. Blacks have lived in the west for centuries now; they are practically part of our culture's fabric, whether we like it or not (I'm speaking primarily of the Americas, of course, and to some extent Britain and her former territories). Japan, however, is largely isolated and homogenous; I would assume that if you were going to Japan, it would be your choice to do so, and considering that you have *elected* to go there, I would say that you should indeed respect the people's ways and laws, regardless of your own race.

        In fact, considering that it's usually white people who end up colonizing dark-skinned people's lands anyway and exploiting these people for labor, I don't see why people of your persuasion are always whining about 'miscegenation' and liberal-pc-cultural-Marxist-Muslim plots to wipe out the white-race by promoting diversity and allowing Arabs into white countries; white people do an excellent job of barging into other people's countries and remaking them in our image, we're the undisputed champs at this (USA, Canada, Latin America, Australia, South Africa, you get it).

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        • [Old Memory]
          9 years ago

          "The 'pathetically low cultural achievements' is questionable, considering that there have been plenty of black inventors, poets, doctors, etc."

          You'll first have to define the word "plenty" (and, in all seriousness, "Black" as well). Regardless, this is a tangent; the purpose of this argument is not to conclude which race has accomplished more than another, and it's not my intention to belittle Blacks - or any race, for that matter.

          "That's probably still more than you'll ever produce, but instead you'd rather claim the fruits of other whites' labor as your own."

          Nope, I said no such thing. I am not Tesla, Beethoven, Kant, or Newton. I'm True.

          "Higher crime rates are generally seen amongst people of the lower classes. If you want to see how docile and law-abiding white people can be, come to some of the poorer white places in the south(US)."

          It's complicated. But while I don't deny that there very well may be a causal link between socio-economic status and crime, it seems to be untrue that that's the be all, end all of the matter.

          "it's not like all of these people necessarily 'choose' to end up in your precious lands."

          Beside the point. I was simply saying that you can always expect the status quo to be in favor of the majority, regardless of what that "majority" may be.

          "I don't see why people of your persuasion are always whining about 'miscegenation' and liberal-pc-cultural-Marxist-Muslim plots to wipe out the white-race by promoting diversity and allowing Arabs into white countries; white people do an excellent job of barging into other people's countries and remaking them in our image, we're the undisputed champs at this (USA, Canada, Latin America, Australia, South Africa, you get it)."

          Okay. Question: Why is it that when Whites do it to non-Whites, it's genocide, whereas when non-Whites do it to Whites, it's cultural enrichment?

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          • [Old Memory]
            9 years ago

            I'll concede that I may have misinterpreted some of the implications of your previous statements. My apologies.

            "It's complicated. But while I don't deny that there very well may be a causal link between socio-economic status and crime, it seems to be untrue that that's the be all, end all of the matter."

            Yeah, it's a pretty complicated issue. What other factors do you think might be at play?

            "Okay. Question: Why is it that when Whites do it to non-Whites, it's genocide, whereas when non-Whites do it to Whites, it's cultural enrichment?"

            Who says that it is? Is this another statement based on that delightful "X-Country for X-People, WHITE COUNTRIES FOR EVERYBODY!!!" strawman that gets flung around all the time?

            To clarify, I don't think you can equate a few brown people moving into 'white' cultures and settling there with 'genocide'. If they were moving in, arming themselves, attacking whites, enslaving them, raping them in huge numbers, killing them, etc., THEN you could call it 'genocide' or 'cultural genocide' or whatever you want to call it. That's what whites have been doing to other cultures for centuries - there's a difference (after all, many foreigners in western countries live here on marriage Visas, often times married to white people - white people marry and breed with these individuals *of their own accord*; do you consider that 'genocide' on par with being slaughtered, mass-raped, displaced, or crammed into an oven?).

            You could also conceivably argue that 'multi-culturalism' is a western cultural value (not that I think this means that Muslims should be allowed to establish Sharia courts in western countries or anything; there should obviously be some rules that apply to everyone in western cultures, regardless of your own individual preferences).

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            • [Old Memory]
              9 years ago

              There's the very real possibility that discrepancies in intelligence and temperament could be a factor. After all, who REALLY believes that after eons of distinct patterns of evolution, our respective cognitive functions remained indistinguishable? Come on now. Please.

              Look up "The Color of Crime" and something along the lines of "Muslim rape gangs."

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  • IIN2?uestionlife
    9 years ago

    Its either be annoyed by these commments or not have white privilege and be on the outside looking in.

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  • SecretIdentity
    9 years ago

    Informing you of your privelege is not saying you are a bad person.

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  • regisphilbin
    9 years ago

    The truth is that most disadvantaged groups throughout history blamed the white man for their problems, and this had some merit as white men often held power and controlled finances. This led to elaborate and sophisticated layers of social dominance, systematic and institutionalized racism and sexism, and a culture of acceptable prejudice. Now other demographics are rising into positions of prominence, and many traditional barriers to success are anachronistic, but the bitter resentment continues to boil underneath the surface.

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  • thegypsysailor
    9 years ago

    Where are you seeing all this, "while privilege" or "male privilege." bullshit? I think this is the first time I've actually seen these two phrases in print.
    If you are spending all your time reading the unadulterated feces produced by the Tea Party and the other white supremacist groups, then you might want to pick a bit more interesting and realistic literature because all those morons are still trying to convince Americans that "Obama ain't been borned in the USA"!
    Stop fretting so much, it'll be alright (no, see you misread that as all white didn't you?). Big Brother really is watching YOU.

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  • [Old Memory]
    9 years ago

    The concept of White privilege is nothing but a racist scheme to browbeat Whites into the eventual submission of their genocide. Then again, anyone dumb enough to fall for it deserves everything they get.

    "Let's get this straight: non-White peoples can get away with things that you literally couldn't even imagine, but YOU should be ashamed of yourself because your forefathers built an empire which was tailored to their needs and preferences, including such horrible things as bandages that match THEIR skin tone."

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  • [Old Memory]
    9 years ago

    It's a shaming tactic most of the time. When people use it they tend to mean it as "You are a white, straight man, therefor your are privileged and because of that privilege you are wrong automatically." Somehow that's privilege. Lol.

    In some situations I think it's possible men and white people have privilege depending on what it is in regards to but strangely enough those same people don't seem so freely to admit, say, female privilege exists.

    Most of the time it's used just to shut you down from the discussion, atleast from my experience.

    I don't think it should be stopped from being talked about even if I disagree with it but I don't think it should be used as a weapon as much as it is.

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    • SecretIdentity
      9 years ago

      They're not saying you are automatically wrong, they're saying you are in a place where you are generally seen as being right/better based on what you look/sound like. You have a better "starting point" than others. While others have to prove themselves up to par, you're already assumed at par even if you're a fuck up.

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      • [Old Memory]
        9 years ago

        Well then that's someone elses problem, not mine. I don't control what others believe and it does not mean that an arguement can just be disregarded because of others just assiming I'm right. Although I doubt that is actually the case, that people just assume I'm right because I'm straight and male.

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        • SecretIdentity
          9 years ago

          You couldn't be MORE normal right now. It's completely normal to react this way! No one accused you of being a bad person due to your privilege. No one said you used your privilege for evil. No one said you asked for it. No one even suggested you EARNED it! That's the whole thing about this type of privelege. You DID NOT earn it. You did NOT ask for it. You probably don't ever use it for evil purposes! You most likely don't even realize you have it. We understand all of that. No one is calling you a bad person for it. No one is saying it automatically makes you successful in and of itself. All anyone is saying is, realize you have this privilege and try YOUR BEST to afford others, who do not have this benefit, some understanding and give them a fair chance. You can do this by realizing you ARE better off based on some unchosen circumstances and using your higher position to help...not hold back or be indifferent to...those who have it "naturally" worse than you. You should be less focused on defending your status than helping those who are clearly more disadvantaged than you. Denying or ignoring your privilege just makes others suffer more. Admitting..hey, I do have a natural cultural advantage due to factors beyond my control DOES contribute to the suffering of others is a good start and again, no one blames YOU personally for it but it's how you react after this being pointed out to you. Many take offense but the smart ones eventually realize where change needs to begin and act as such. Would it kill you to face the facts that you, as a straight white male, are among the most acceptable members of society? You are our leaders. You make our laws. You make pertinent decisions on the bodily autonomy of the opposite gender. We only know straight white male leaders!

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          • [Old Memory]
            9 years ago

            I'm not saying that people, or atleast all people use it to call others bad people. I'm just saying that most of the time I have experienced people say it or observed those saying someone has "privilege" it is used as a rebuttal, to disregard what someone is saying just because of that person's sex or race, so they essentially try to use the idea of privilege to gain a dominant position in the discussion. Again, not all do this but most I have observed and experienced using those phrases tend to do so.

            I personally don't think that because I'm male that I am privileged in every scenario, such as discussions which is where I mostly see it used. So although I am open to the idea that in some ways, yes, men are privileged, just like in some ways women are, that does not mean that I am privileged, therefor I can't say my piece.

            The thing about privilege is that it can also be said in regards to a man saying such a thing to a woman, that they have privilege and should use their position of privilege to help men out, to help those that are disadvantaged.

            I think this would end up going in to a larger discussion than intended, so I'll sum it up. I don't think it's as simple as "one is more privileged than the other", I think we have privileges other groups don't, men have some and women have some. I also don't think it's fair to say the things like you said (although clearly was not said in a rude manner) without realizing the same can be said in regards to women.

            I don't do any of those things. Just because I am a white straight male does not mean that I am associated to those people. If we were to go by that reasoning then we would also have to go by aspects men suffer from and compare the numbers. Suicide rates, sentencing gaps, likelihood to be attacked, lack of help available to me in cases of domestic violence, and if I was an AMerican, could be drafted, and circumcision.

            More white, straight, cis men have been genitally mutilated than they have been in position of power.

            More white, straight, cis men have been forced in to war than there have been straight, white, men that were presidents.

            And so on and so forth. If we're going to do the whole association thing then we'd have to compare negatives with positives for each group like I explained above. Sure, more men have been leaders than women but more men have been killed than women, and more men have been killed than they have been presidents, etc, etc.

            So although I appreciate you saying what you said in the way you said it, I can't say I agree with you.

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            • SecretIdentity
              9 years ago

              http://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.odec.umd.edu/CD/UNIVERSAL%2520READINGS/THAYER.pdf&sa=U&ei=wKkMVYuXI4TBggTu94DYDw&ved=0CBEQFjAC&usg=AFQjCNG9IKXxBTDgqQmg1k1roRGUlzVLfA

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