Is white privilege real? To what extent?

[Mister Agenda]

The group of people that is less likely to be harassed by cops includes Asians and whites. You're taking the definition of 'privilege' super literally. Why is that?

So white privilege exists in the way everyone says it exists, but don't take the word privilege literally. Just define the word so it confirms that everyone is correct about white privilege.

Hispanic people earn more and are imprisoned less than blacks so if we don't take the word privilege literally then that's odd I think but then in that case you're being racially discriminate in focusing just on white privilege if being privileged now means being more advantaged than black people in terms of earning money, education, prison rates and so on  there must be brown privilege, Asian privilege, white privilege, not to mention different types of brown and whites privilege like Jew privilege, Korean privilege.

You've latched on to one particular definition of a word (presumably the first one that comes up when you Google 'definition of privilege') that different dictionaries define in various ways, emphasizing the part of the definition that makes it different from other definitions, where the most common meaning of the word is likely found where different dictionaries agree.

[RobertE]

I don't know. I just think that he is trying to expand on the idea that white privilege is not necessarily privileged to white people. That is to say that all groups are privileged over others in one country or another.

For example, South Africa was a great rugby and cricket nation in its day. However, over the last few years, the teams have got worse simply because of a racial quota i.e. black privilege over white people. The racial quota means that there could be hundreds of white players who are fantastic, but because of the quota imposed, these players are left to rot in the wilderness whilst their places are being taken by people who are deemed amateur at best. This is neither the fault of the blacks or the whites in South Africa but the government in South Africa.

I'm trying to expand on the idea that white privilege either involved privileged white people, using the definition of privilege and not something someone made up in order to fit a popular narrative.

And if privilege isn't used as defined in the dictionary lets not be racially bias about it and let's discuss Asian privilege, brown privilege, Jew privilege, Indian privilege, Japanese privilege.

I am in total agreement Paul. Each race has privilege over another. As for the definition:






NOUN

1A special right, advantage, or immunity granted or available only to a particular person or group:



So, if we take a look at "white privilege", I don't see how it could exist apart from the upper echelons of society i.e. diplomats, actors, actresses, musicians, etc etc etc.




As far as I know, white people are just as likely to be murdered in cold blood by police, albeit just a few less than the blacks. White privilege is well and truly real, just as black, Asian, and Jewish privileges are real. They are just not signalled out for debate as often.

[Spirian]

Cultural differences are real, and to a huge extent.

[paulpablo]

So white privilege exists in the way everyone says it exists, but don't take the word privilege literally. Just define the word so it confirms that everyone is correct about white privilege.

Hispanic people earn more and are imprisoned less than blacks so if we don't take the word privilege literally then that's odd I think but then in that case you're being racially discriminate in focusing just on white privilege if being privileged now means being more advantaged than black people in terms of earning money, education, prison rates and so on  there must be brown privilege, Asian privilege, white privilege, not to mention different types of brown and whites privilege like Jew privilege, Korean privilege.

You've latched on to one particular definition of a word (presumably the first one that comes up when you Google 'definition of privilege') that different dictionaries define in various ways, emphasizing the part of the definition that makes it different from other definitions, where the most common meaning of the word is likely found where different dictionaries agree.

I used the Oxford dictionary and Cambridge as they're the most commonly used and trusted dictionaries in England.

And I agree with everything you've said, my conclusion is that it's racially bias to attach the racial advective white before the word privilege if it just means advantages people have that others don't.

If you define privilege using the common definition than white privilege 100 percent exists, along with Asian privilege brown privilege Jew privilege Japanese privilege,
Black privilege possibly exists to an extent, world wide I'm sure there's a race somewhere with less educational, economical, crime rate advantages.

[RoadRunner79]

In regards to the OP title: Yes I do believe that white privilege exists; as does racism. These are real issues, that we need to be aware of and deal with. I also believe, that it is an unhealthy worldview to see these things everywhere. That we should be using the principle of charity, and not always assume negative motives in others. We can create as much of a problem in the direction of the consequent.

[Excited Penguin]

Yes, but in America white privilege is a big deal, thusly it is appropriate to use the term there.

[RobertE]

You've latched on to one particular definition of a word (presumably the first one that comes up when you Google 'definition of privilege') that different dictionaries define in various ways, emphasizing the part of the definition that makes it different from other definitions, where the most common meaning of the word is likely found where different dictionaries agree.

I used the Oxford dictionary and Cambridge as they're the most commonly used and trusted dictionaries in England.

And I agree with everything you've said, my conclusion is that it's racially bias to attach the racial advective white before the word privilege if it just means advantages people have that others don't.

If you define privilege using the common definition than white privilege 100 percent exists, along with Asian privilege brown privilege Jew privilege Japanese privilege,
Black privilege possibly exists to an extent, world wide I'm sure there's a race somewhere with less educational, economical, crime rate advantages.

I just prefer to use "privilege", it then broadens the field just a great deal. How many of the top NBA stars from the past or present have ever complained about "white privilege." I am pretty sure that the answer would be zero. Simply because they are in a priviliged position and simply say "who gives a f*ck about them!!!!" It happened with NWA. They sang about their roots and where they came from, whilst living in mansions and living the high life totally forgetting those who were part of their community. You can guarantee that the likes of Dr Dre, Ice Cube, Eazy E (RIP) wouldn't even think about going back to Compton, not for all the money in the world. They are part of the priviliged class.

[thesummerqueen]

I think that the term white privilege is used in the context of dominantly white and deeply racist nation/culture which has both engaged in the systematic oppression of minorities at every conceivable level of power right down to the day to day lives of it's citizenry...and seems to be deeply opposed to even -recognizing- that they continue to do so..even unintentionally or unconsciously.

That I agree with and there is no argument there. However, any nation is capable of racism, in spite of what we think.

No offense, but so what? If we understand that America has a white privilege/black racism problem, how does saying "but other forms of problems exist too" help at all? Yeah, sure there's still anti-Semitism and it should be addressed, but no one's going out and shooting Jews for walking while bagel'ing. Clearly one problem has a form of immediacy that needs addressing.

[Mister Agenda]

You've latched on to one particular definition of a word (presumably the first one that comes up when you Google 'definition of privilege') that different dictionaries define in various ways, emphasizing the part of the definition that makes it different from other definitions, where the most common meaning of the word is likely found where different dictionaries agree.

I used the Oxford dictionary and Cambridge as they're the most commonly used and trusted dictionaries in England.

And I agree with everything you've said, my conclusion is that it's racially bias to attach the racial advective white before the word privilege if it just means advantages people have that others don't.

If you define privilege using the common definition than white privilege 100 percent exists, along with Asian privilege brown privilege Jew privilege Japanese privilege,
Black privilege possibly exists to an extent, world wide I'm sure there's a race somewhere with less educational, economical, crime rate advantages.

Yep. An example of black privilege might be that it's more socially acceptable for blacks to criticize white culture than vice versa, since the former is 'punching up' while the latter is 'punching down'. Doesn't mean a particular criticism of an aspect of black life in a particular region by a white person isn't correct, but it's likely to be viewed suspiciously, at least. Not much of a privilege, but it's not nothing.

[RobertE]

Here is a privileged group from the United Kingdom:

"It is effectively restricted to officers of "African, African-Caribbean and Asian origin",whereas white people can support it only as "associate members.

This is not "white privilege", and it is in the United Kingdom (I'm sure Paul maybe from England.) In fact, I would have to say that we are more of a liberal society than the US.

http://www.nbpa.co.uk/