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| Apr 07, 2007 5:46 am |
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re: re: re: I am perceived as a privileged white boy ... |
Todd Morris
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Hi,
Here's the thing about generalizing, I think in both Dani and Topper's stories, you could swap the words black and white, and the results would be essentially the same.
Dani said:
"I mean, come on! 17 year old white girl. Doesn't smoke, doesn't drink (then, not now!), doesn't use drugs. Doesn't run away from places, always followed the rules."
Same statement, leave all the other qualities in tact, but remove the word "white" in front of girl. Are you really so cynical as to believe that such a person would not have also found a home?
And with Dave's story ...
Same guy, welfare card doesn't work ... but he's white (more whites receive welfare, than blacks) ... comes back and steals the groceries. Do you really believe the cops wouldn't have been called?
Yes, racism still exisist (especially if you're looking for it). But, I'm personally more in agreement with most of the people on this forum, when we talk about economic disparity (although again, I'm sure we'd differ on solutions). Here's a hypothetical example for you ...
In today's society (2007), take two people:
- One born to well-off parents, raised in a loving environment, lives in a nice house, attends quality schools, etc, ... but who's skin happens to be black.
- The second person was born to a single mother who works a minimum wage job, lives his entire life in public housing, and attends a school that's still using books from the 1970s ... his skin happens to be white.
I believe that both have the inherent ability to succeed. But in reality, who has fewer obstacles?
To be fair, if we were to take 2 people, one black, one white, and put them in the exact same senario, I do agree that the white person would most likely still have an (unfair) societal advantage. But, I don't think it would be nearly as significant as some would believe; especially in the second case (economically disadvantaged background). And I don't believe it would apply to EVERY situation. Depending on the specific circumstances, there are instances where the black person may have advantages and/or greater opportunities.
Yes, we still have some work to do in this country when it comes to race relations. But, the point I'm trying to make is that ALL people who happen to have darker skin do not necessarily need "help". And, ALL people who happen to have lighter skin are not necessarily "privliged"
If we can get away from the generalizations, it might be easier for all of us (as a society) to truely examine, and look for ways to resolve, the specific issues that really are still a problem.
Just my opinion,
Todd
p.s. if anybody is going to copy and paste a reply, please take my whole post, In Context ... not just one Isolated sentence or paragraph ... thanks ;)
Private Reply to Todd Morris (new win) |
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