White Privilege

As stated in my previous post, I believe that the ‘white privilege’ is the fuel behind modern day racism. It is an invisible force that is overlooked and ignored by most white people. The first and foremost thing that we have to do is to acknowledge that it exists, and then from there we should become aware of the hurt, unfairness and division it causes in our society. The Edmonton Sun paraphrases Dr. Peggy Mcintosh author of the White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack, “Most of us have little awareness of our white privilege. We‘re so used to having the benefits that come with being white that we don’t even realize we have them. We also aren’t aware of our privilege because the system has encouraged us not to be aware” (Liebrecht 2010). This quote speaks only the truth and highlights the main points I am attempting to get across. Please find the website here.

The picture below shows young students signing a petition during an anti-racism campaign in Edmonton (the campaign’s focus was to fight ‘white privilege’)

In the paper by Dr. Peggy Mcintosh (1988) she identified a number of aspects that represented ‘white privilege’ in her life. Here are a few examples:

In the paper by Dr. Peggy Mcintosh (1988) she identified a number of aspects that represented‘white privilege’ in her life. Here are a few examples:

1.)  I can turn on the television or open to the front page of the paper and see people of my race widely represented

2.)  When I am told about our national heritage or about "civilization," I am shown that people of my color made it what it is

3.)  Whether I use checks, credit cards or cash, I can count on my skin color not to work against the appearance of financial reliability

4.)  If I should need to move, I can be pretty sure of renting or purchasing housing in an area which I can afford and in which I would want to live

5.)  I can go shopping alone most of the time, pretty well assured that I will not be followed or harassed. – See video

Those are just five examples out of a much larger list, see the rest of her paper at this address.

Hartigan (2010) says the white’s main privilege “is to not have to think about race at all” (p. 86), and for the most part this is true. White people can live the majority of their lives free of the worry that they might be looked down upon because of their skin colour. Free to live and work without being stereotyped or mistreated. This great ‘privilege’ should not be a privilege at all, but a right, and one that everyone should have no matter what race they are.

Here is a comic that puts a humorous spin on a very serious topic:

The idea of the ‘white privilege’ is created by society and is transformed by appearance as well as how people perceive each other. It is taught, passed down through generations, portrayed in the media, and is visible on many different levels both consciously and unconsciously. It is a fog that has engulfed our society, fuelling the mistreatment and miscommunication between white people and those of different colours. It is a silent killer that can only be stopped when it is truly and openly acknowledged. Only then are we able to break away from the chains of our past and move forward into a time where differences are celebrated and everyone is equal, then love and understanding will prevail.

John Vernon

Hartigan, J. (2010). Race n the 21st Century: Ethnographic Approaches. New York: Oxford University Press

Liebrecht, R. (2010, Nov 8). City's anti-racism campaign fights 'white privilege'. Retrieved from: http://www.edmontonsun.com/news/edmonton/2010/11/07/16019641.html

Mcintosh, P. (1988). White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack. Retrieved from: http://www.nymbp.org/reference/WhitePrivilege.pdf

Knight, K. (2006). White Privilege. Retrieved from: http://www.amptoons.com/blog/archives/2010/02/19/white-privilege-by-keith-knight/

How can I even begin to understand what is going on in my head?

The following are my own opinions; a more scientific research based post will follow!

Racism, classism, ageism.... all these words that we humans have constructed to put a label on the differences between each of us has made understanding our interactions and perceptions only that much harder. How can we start to comprehend what is driving this divide with so many different factors fuelling it.

Let us consider the following questions: Who is seen as ‘better’ the white steel worker from Nebraska or the asian-american teacher from California? The black doctor from the Bronx or the white carpenter from Long Island? The middle class university student from the Kwakwaka'wakw people, or the middle class university student of Italian descent? Of course, from the knowledgeable/culturally relative perspective of a white university anthropology student, they are all the same, the same as I am and the same as you are, and I truly believe that, but that point of view is not universal.

Is giving the heritage and occupation of a person enough for someone to make a judgement? Unfortunately, it seems as though the answer is yes in some cases. But there are many other factors that play into how we as individuals are perceived by others: class, nationality, location, age, whether you have dark or light skin for your race, religious beliefs, education, they way you talk, they way you dress, male or female, sexual preference... the list goes. There are so many different aspects that the task of fully understanding ourselves as humans seems to be a colossal undertaking.

Looking a white people as a group, the internal division that exists is monumental. Take for example the difference between a punk/skater business student with dyed hair, a hippy with dreadlocks who just completed the MCAT’s on top of a business major, and the economics student who wears a suit to school. Which one of these middle class white kids will get a high paying job first? Will they be judged solely on their looks? Or will the employer look past what might be seen as “different” and hire the more qualified individual? I’ll let you weigh in on that.

What I found absolutely ridiculous after reading John Hartigan’s book, is that it seems as though if all of those white kids had criminal records they would still be more likely to get a job then a black person with the same credentials (without a criminal record). I can’t even begin to understand that, how can a white convict be more suited for a job then a well educated black university graduate?

Black people as a group, as well as the majority of other races share the same internal division as white people do, but what separates white people from all other races is the “white privilege” (Hartigan, 2010, p. 86). This is what drives racism in our modern culture, seperating each race into their own broad group. This is what, in my own opinion, makes it so hard to understand what those of different colours actually go through on a daily basis. I can read all the text books available, take a million different classes on race but I doubt I will actually be able to comprehend the “difference” (for lack of a better word)  that those of other races truly feel, and it is disheartening to know that.

There have been countless discussions in my classes on race and perception but no one ever really comes to a conclusion. Most of the time everyone is too nervous to truly speak out (Anth 335 is an exception) and the concept is somewhat breezed over, almost as if the entire class is in a hurry to finish and move on to the next topic. This stems from the societal created idea that talking about race is a ‘bad’ thing, but it is only bad when uneducated judgmental people discuss it and use it in a negative sense. Of course everyone looks different, it doesn’t matter if they are white, black, Indian, or Asian, each person looks different. But that is only on the outside, and as we know from Hartigans book scientific studies have proven that what is on the outside (skin colour) has no real basis for difference. The idea of race being a negative or positive attribute is PURELY created by society, it is a judgement on the outward materialistic expression of humans, completely overlooking our internal aspects; our hearts, minds and souls that ultimately connect us and unite us as Homo sapiens.

I don’t think that this will answer any debates but maybe it has helped you to create more questions.

Again, these are my own thoughts (with a little help from Hartigan), all jumbled together with no real order or point. I wanted to express myself, sorry if it is confusing but these are the ideas that are going on in my head and who would have known it would be so hard to put into words!

John Vernon

Hartigan, J. (2010). Race n the 21st Century: Ethnographic Approaches. New York: Oxford University Press

Educational Disparities in Children

Since Jen mentioned children, and their experiences with race, I thought it would be interesting to discuss the disparities in education between children of different races. There has generally always been a large gap which seperates the achievements of white and black students, but this report is stating that this gap of grades is now bleaker then we once thought:

Proficiency of Black Students Is Found to Be Far Lower Than Expected

The study comes from the National Assessment for Educational Progress, which is an American program that gives tests to students in the eighth and fourth grades testing their math and reading. They released data that states "only 12 percent of black fourth-grade boys are proficient in reading, compared with 38 percent of white boys, and only 12 percent of black eighth-grade boys are proficient in math, compared with 44 percent of white boys" (Gabriel, para. 3). The Council of Great City Schools which is an advocacy group for urban public schools recently released a report entitled 'A Call for Change,' hoping that the new shocking data on the disparities between black and white students will spark a need for reform.

Poverty has usually been the explanation for such staggering differences in achievements between races, but this report looks further to find reasons.The article states that poor white boys do just as well as the African-American boys who do not live in poverty. Ronald Ferguson, who is a director of the Achievement Gap Initiative at Harvard states that there are differences between races that take place before these children even start kindergarden. It has a lot to do with historical and social forces beyond poverty, and is about having conversations that people are unwilling to have with their children. Conversations about parenting practices for young children, and what parents do with kids who are 2, 3 and 4, for example, "how much we talk to them, the ways we talk to them, the ways we enforce discipline, the ways we encourage them to think and develop a sense of autonomy"(Gabriel, para. 11).

A possible way to close the achievement gap could be a change in teaching. A school reform which involves offering charter schools as another choice, or closing failing schools, raising the quality of teachings or possibly providing 'black mentors.'

This is a alarming article, because of how big the gap is when the children are just in grade 4 and 8. It really only gets wider, as shown  by the drop out rates in high schools. Does anyone have any ideas about how to close the gap between races in terms of achievements? Why do we think that these disparities can exist before a child even begins school?

Any ideas?
-Alex Denis

Gabriel, Trip. "Proficiency of Black Students Is Found to be Far Lower Than Expected."The New York Times. 9 Nov 2010. Web. 1 Dec 2010.

The impression race has on children. How early does white supremacy start?

This is the study that my post is based on: 

http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/05/13/doll.study/index.html?hpt=C1

Today we see multiculturalism sweeping over the world. There is an appreciation and acceptance for many cultures as we all become more familiar with what use to be foreign. But then we must also remember that there was a time of segregation. There were ideas and thoughts that white cultures were more superior to black cultures. Sometimes I wonder that although multiculturalism is being more widely accepted, how much has the world really changed in terms of the individual thought. People say that humans are all equal, no matter what skin color they have, but does everyone really think that? As human beings, our childhood is the foundation on which we build most of how we see the world. In order to find the root of how people develop thoughts of race, especially whiteness and blackness, most likely begins during childhood, where parents pass on their thoughts to their children.

White supremacy was a way for white people to rationalize colonialism, imperialism, class exploitation, and slavery. Racism was a way to justify and allow white supremacy. I was curious to find out how much of this white supremacy still exists, especially in children. I found this study through CNN, which explores this thought.

Child psychologist and University of Chicago professor Margaret Beale Spencer, did a study on the ideas and thoughts of race on children from the ages of 5 – 10 years old.

Spencer, who was hired to direct the study by CNN, interviewed 133 students from eight schools in New York and Georgia. These states were selected because they met the economic and demographic requirements in order to conduct the research.  At each school two children were selected from the age groups of 4-5 and 9-10.

This study was meant to recreate a 1940’s study by psychologists Kenneth and Mamie Clark to see how segregation affected black children. They asked white and black children to choose between a white doll and a black doll. The majority of the children chose the white doll, claiming it “looks better,” than the black doll.

The new study done by Spencer shows that white children are more inclined to maintain the stereotypes over the black children. They all showed a biased towards white skin, and most of the black kids desired lighter skin. Overall, the black picture was seen as dumb and dirty, while the white doll was the good child, the one that everyone wanted to have in his or her class. However, most of the older black children found that it’s what is inside of us that matters the most, not what our appearance looks like.  A child’s experience is redefined by what their parent tells them. If a child of color goes to a white dominated school, they would wonder why their skin looks different than most of their classmates. The parent will often discuss with their child that skin color does not matter, and that everyone is equal no matter what they look like on the outside. However, a white child in a white dominated environment does not necessarily experience the same situation, and will not have the same conversation with their parents about skin color. 

White privilege is a set of customs and practices that re-enforce a system of white supremacy. Part of white privilege, as discussed by Hartigan, is that white people do not have to think much about race at all, no do they acknowledge that they have this advantage (Hartigan, 86). If multiculturalism is becoming part of many societies, how come we never hear praise or many positive images being associated with people of color? Not to long ago, racism was a big part of society, if there is multiculturalism, how come white parents are not having conversations with their children explaining to them that skin color should not define who we are? I think that it is important to acknowledge that before the 17^th century there was no “white race,” it was not until Europeans started to arrive in America that they came together and formed the white race. It is also important to be aware that there are many different shades of white, such as Jews, Italians, and Irish.

As seen with the CNN study, there are still places where white skin is still seen as superior to dark skin. However, it can be argued that the study was done in a way as to manipulate the results that CNN wanted. This can be seen in the way they asked the questions, and that the pictures were put in order according to lightest to darkest skin which can have a certain effect on children. On a happy note, I think that it is clear that there definitely has been progress in the individual thought on race and ethnicity since the early 20^th century. Many people are seeing different races and ethnicities as being part of who we are, and that they are not superior or inferior to other cultural practices and beliefs.

I also found this website on the study of whiteness. There are some articles on how whiteness plays a role in people's everyday lives and of current events:

https://pantherfile.uwm.edu/gjay/www/Whiteness/

-Jennifer Thompson

Skin Lightening and the Pursuit of Whiteness

I heard about the act of skin lightening a couple years ago (on the Tyra Show, please withhold judgement) and it really struck a nerve with me.

This is a great video to introduce the topic:

 Today Show-Skin Bleaching

I decided to write my paper on this topic, since it ties in with some of the topics discussed-white privilege, colorism and colonialism. Whiteness has shown itself to be something that is valued, and evidently commoditised, as illustrated with the prevalence of skin lightening. The act of skin lightening is growing fastest among educated, young, urban women in the global south. It is almost like skin bleaching is as popular as keeping up with fashion trends in some areas. One study found “that 25 percent of women in Bamaki, Mali; 35 percent in Pretoria, South Africa; and 52 percent in Dakar, Senegal, use skin lighteners, as do an astonishing 77 percent of women traders in Lagos, Nigeria” (Glenn 7). It is not a new phenomena, as references of African American women using powders and skin bleaches appeared in the Black press as early as the 1850s. (Glenn 8). 

The act of skin lightening directly relates to class topics, and the term colorism, which is an “enduring belief that skin color reflects inherent qualities or characteristics” (Hartigan 208). Colorism makes our brains, which are shaped by culture and history “create intricate caste hierarchies that privilege those who are physically and culturally whiter and punish those who are darker” (Vedantam 2010). It can lead people to extreme measures, as can be proved with a look into the skin lightening business. This industry promotes a ‘white is right’ ideology, and encourages those who are not fair skinned to make themselves that way, through whatever means necessary. I would say the growing use of skin lightening products testifies to the increasing importance of colorism in everyday life. While it may not always be conscious, it can still result in some very serious consequences. Light skin “operates as a form of symbolic capital, one that is especially critical for women because of the connection between skin tone and attractiveness and desirability” (Glenn 2). Women are judged heavily on the basis of their appearance, and thus the skin lightening market is directed towards them.

There are several studies which discuss the different privledges that come along with race. For example, Margaret Hunter studies colorism among African and Mexican Americans. She makes the point that “resources are allocated unequally to light-and dark-skinned women and beauty is constructed to elevate the status of light-skinned black and Mexican Americans who most closely resemble whites” (Hartigan 162). She states that the values associated with physical features set the precedent for the stratification among skin colors. The features associated with white people, such as light skin, straight hair and straight noses indicate beauty, rationality and civility; while dark skin, kinky hair and big noses, the features associated with Africans or Indians seem to represent ugliness, savagery and irrationality. (Hartigan163). Hunter’s study indicated how deep our ideas of racial conditioning are, and show the racial meanings that are placed upon physical features.

There is serious cause for worry among people using the products. The creams and products used for bleaching are extremely harmful to the skin, as they often include mercury, which is highly toxic and can cause kidney disease and neurological damage. They also include hydroquinone, which suppresses melanin but can be fatal in large concentrations. It can also be a mutagenic, which causes cancer. Many experience severe acne, wrinkles and marks due to the creams. 

I am wondering what everyone thinks about skin lightening and how popular it has become? Is this due to colonialism, and the fact that whiteness has been attached to the idea of privilege and a ‘white is right’ ideology? Any comments on the video? You would think with the dozens of positive African American role models present in our society, that young women wouldn’t find the need to whiten their skin, but it is still taking place in alarming numbers.

Thoughts?

-Alex Denis

Glenn, Evelyn N. “Yearning for Lightness: Transnational Circuits in the Marketing and Consumption of Skin Lighteners.” Gender and Society, 22:3, 281-302. 

Vedantam, Shankar. “Shades of Prejudice.” The New York Times. 18 January 2010. Web. 2 November 2010.

More stuff that White people like.

In 2008 popular blogger Christian Lander released a book based on his blog stuffwhitepeoplelike.com. The book very quickly became a bestseller and this past week has seen a follow up entitled Whiter Shades of Pale.

From what I can gather, the book is simply more of the same. More generalizations and more useless facts and tidbits that apparently characterize White people. It is meant for comedic purposes but it very quickly becomes rather monotonous and obvious that almost anyone can fit within the many categories Lander illustrates. With the release of the new book, Lander has released a promotional video that is hosted by Amazon.com. Both titles seem to be rather superficial and not necessarily indicative of whiteness and could have baring on close to anyone in middle class Victoria.

Has anyone had time to check these out? If so, what do you think?

-Shane

Race and class leading to Violence.

After recently viewing a documentary on the origins of the gang related violence in L.A., entitled "Crips and Bloods: Made in America", it has become abundantly clear how class and socioeconomic placement within a society has so many roots in history based on race exclusivity and exclusion. Using the example of the gang wars in California, beginning in the mid 1960's it immediately becomes apparent that the white Californian population did all within their power to place black individuals and communities at a disadvantage. Into the 1990's the conflict rose to such monumental proportions that the death toll is grew to thousands upon thousands. This was originally initiated by the young black males simply wanting to be accepted into society and joining groups such as boy scouts. Due to their blackness, and labeled inferiority, this was not permitted. This in turn began the formations of groups, where blacks could be accepted by their peers. These were NOT gangs. 

They were, however, labeled as such by the white population and from point the conflicts arose. Through years of unease, the gang wars as eventually depicted by the Crips and Bloods was born. 

The white authorities in California at this time can be seen as the instigators of this violence. This debilitating gang war has overtime created such a staggering class divide, that was not necessarily dominant before. An article by Christina Clarke et. al., entitled "Racial and social class gradients in life expectancy in contemporary California" illustrates the life expectancy of 'African American' males within this setting is comparable to those within developing countries. This, contrasted with the high average life expectancy of both black and whites from other locals and classes is astonishing. 

For anyone to push out of this life is extremely difficult. Avoiding both the violence and poverty is so hard when all aspects of life seem to be pulling you back. 

There does seem to be a large push by former gang members of the past generation to work towards education and mentoring of young children. It must be a group effort, and one that has seen a tentative truce between these gangs, for racial and class borders to be broken down.