Why do some people refuse to accept that white privilege does exist?

Question

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

The biggest part of white privilege is that most white people go about their lives rarely thinking about race.

But really, that's sort of like saying you have privilege for not having a physical disability. If you stop and think about it, of course you have massive privilege vs. someone who needs mobility aids etc. But you think of your own experience as 'normal'.

So that's part of it.

The other part is that things have changed in many areas, to the point that I basically never directly, in person, see or hear overt racism. I stand around with white people chatting, and none of them say anything racist. Ever. So it's easy to imagine that nobody is thinking anything racist, and that it's like that everywhere.

My own sense is that 'white privilege' in my country exists but is very small. There's a more noticeable 'black disadvantage' (i'm drawing the distinction because we have more 'brown' than black people here, and their disadvantage to white people is very minor). That's not to say that many 'brown' people might not have disadvantages, but -most- aren't skin tone related.

I think for skeptics, its easiest to start with the most clear cut examples, and see if that can open their eyes to seeing potentially more. Everyone isn't going to agree on the extent of privilege, and that's okay. But that's a starting point.

ThisDudeHere · Accepted Answer

About seven non-white people are downvoting everyone who disagrees with this. Well ok I'm not gonna say that it doesn't exist but none the less look at it from a white person's perspective. Or any person's for that matter - it does not fall within a human's psyche to openly admit that they have it better all the time as opposed to someone who doesn't. The reason for that is because then they will be forced to not only feel sorry and pity for the less fortunate, they may also end up pandering to the less fortunate.
Any underprivileged person could adhere to a privileged person's feelings and start demanding special treatment. White people just want to live their lives normally - if they're gonna start admitting that they have it better in every aspect of life then they'd have to start sacrificing their normality just to "make it even" with minorities.

And who would want that? No one.

So perhaps some deny white privilege because they're content with the way things are. But I'm willing to guess that most deny it because they legitimately believe it just doesn't exist - white Americans living in trailer parks would probably beg to differ about white privilege.

Luci92 · Accepted Answer

It does exist though. They're in denial.
I'm gonna quote some guy who wrote a paper about it and has a Ph. D because he explains it a hell of a lot better than I can:
"Privilege, particularly white or male privilege, is hard to see for those of us
who were born with access to power and resources. It is very visible for
those to whom privilege was not granted. Furthermore, the subject is
extremely difficult to talk about because many white people don’t feel powerful or as if they have privileges others do not.
It is sort of like asking fish to notice water or birds to discuss air. For those
who have privileges based on race or gender or class or physical ability or
sexual orientation, or age, it just is- it’s normal. "

Afrochick · Accepted Answer

Usually people who are not affected by it see no issue. Ignorant fools. They need to read this.

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

The world is racist and still in denial.

joeb73 · Answer

For some it does. But I can say I'm white got my first job at age 15 making 3.15 an hour cleaning tables and doing dishes. I used that money to pay for everything I needed in high school including school fees. I also helped my parents when they were short.
Not every white person is given everything. Some of us have had to work for everything I have. Would I change anything about my childhood no I wouldn't. It made me the person I an to day

capturemyheartnow · Answer

Where I live (India) , there are no whites , And I have got equal privilege as compared to other citizens because I live in a democratic country where every one is treated equally. Even if whites settle in our land , they will enjoy the same rights and privileges.

NearlyNapping · Answer

Because it doesn't exist. It's just another term used by whiners. Quite frankly I don't give a flying fuck about people who go on about white privilege. It's nothing more than one more excuse to blame everyone else for their problems instead of just dealing with it. I get so damn sick and tired of hearing all the fucking whiners.

feminismisnarcissism · Answer

because they're racist of course.

but racists are blind TO racism, including their own in most cases.

look at trump "I love the blacks." <this statement by itself is racist, but a racist wouldn't understand why. lol

In short, they likely just don't see it-nor is it convenient for their (racist) worldview to see it.

CisScum · Answer

All people can say to this is "where can I find it?". But the fact is when you live the same life for years upon years you will not notice it, I don't even notice it but I can still admit it exists. To really notice it I would have to step in a black persons shoes. People are just in denial and don't want to admit racism is still a problem.

BellePepper · Answer

Because then they'd have to admit that systematic racism exists and they're contributing to it.

Anonymous · Answer

It takes a colored minority to only recognize it, because they're the ones being pointed at and face discrimination. Sure whites can get discriminated too, but not to the same extent.

ThatBritishLad · Answer

My dad was a lorry driver and my mum was a part time janitor. The only reason I had an education was because of child benefits. My school dinner through all of Secondary School was a Frosties Cereal Bar and a bottle of water, for seven years straight. My hobby as a boy wasn't playing games, but reading about them because I'd never be able to afford them. I've lived off £1 microwave meals for over half of my life, and I still sleep in the same bed I had when I was 5.
check em

FromAshes · Answer

Because its easier to call yourself a victim and bailed out than it is to accept the fact you have to work hard for what you want.

Righttobeararms83 · Answer

Probably because they live in a trailer or their father came from a good family that worked hard to provide for and educate their kids like their father's before them.

DarkHumorRUs · Answer

We accept that it exists we just don't accept that it matters.

Anonymous · Answer

How do I get some of this white privilege? I'm still looking for the "white" scholarships, college's, government programs. . ..

animus1988 · Answer

im latino and i still dont know what "white privilege" is.. maybe you can enlighten money.

people who have money and good looks are the ones with power and control.. not sure what skin color has to do with anything.

ask yourself this.. who has more "privilidge" P diddy or some white guy who works as a janitor. exaclty

Saoirse_Nua · Answer

It probably does exist but it needs to be analysed properly, not every White person has it.

anonman32 · Answer

if it does exist, why does all of the so called white privileges apply to Asians as well? if the US was built by and for white people, why are Asians doing statistically better than whites in the US?

AllThatSweetJazz · Answer

Because if there's no good reason to think it does exist then that's a good reason to think you're talking from your ass.

Aldrich_ · Answer

Yep. Growing up with abusive parents, PTSD from rape, sexual assault and harassment. Can't sleep at all since I've too much work. I guess it just comes in extra with my white privilege. ;)

This_is_my_username · Answer

People like to live in denial dats why

WesternGirl · Answer

Well my dad is part of the KKK. He believes in white power.

BigBlackCucks · Answer

Obama is Satan and Jesus knows it

Thisperson98 · Answer

And if we have this so called "privilege" where can I find it?

Anonymous · Answer

As a white guy I can say it defferently exist

zagor · Answer

It doesn't exist everywhere.

raininthedance09 · Answer

Different people get different treatment.

Chico_brah · Answer

Because it actually doesn't.

confusedteenager_09 · Answer

cause it doesn't fuckin exist

2014raser · Answer

It doesn't exist.

nog6422 · Answer

It doesn't really.

Dred1614returns · Answer

Because it doesn't.

Why do some people refuse to accept that white privilege does exist?

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