White Privilege vs. Racial Preference

Many, if not most of the white folks I know, and those that I am acquainted with are not wanting to discuss privilege, as a human construct, least of all for themselves, meaning White folks, rich or poor, upper, middle, lower class or any term or classification that you may care to apply to this alleged status. Is there privilege? Yes, for sure. Do White folks possess privilege? Yes, certainly, undeniable in monetary, educational, and so forth. If you as a White person making $70.000 a year, you, if applied in a fiscal responsible manner would have some ‘privileges’, that earned income can provide you versus others whose yearly income is less. 

Each increment of income can permit more discretionary choices, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, or gender. Education, of course, can be a determining factor in your ability to access platforms to avenues in the procurement of income at higher levels, but not in all cases; example, Bill Gates, a college drop out. I suggest that ones believe system, joined with family and educational structured living, and maybe, even as important, is ones’ cultural stance. 

For this essay, I am referring only to White and Black Americans and their cultures. They are not the same, not by any means, some have concluded, not even similar, despite a co-existence for a few hundred years. I sense, in my close observation and study, that the 2 cultures may be further fracturing at a more rapid rate currently than in past generations. Hip hop, Black Lives Matters (BLM), Critical Race Theory (CRT), 1619 Project, Replacement Theory, Affirmative Action, “Historically” Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU’S), Black News Network (BNN-Radio), and Nation of Islam, are clear and distinctive modes of voluntary racial separation. 

Personalities at the national level, such as but not limited to, Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, Louis Farrakhan (he drew one million plus to Wash DC), with the recent addition of Joy Reid (MSNBC), Tiffany Cross (CNN), Don Lemon (CNN), Yamiche Alcindor (NPR), April Ryan (DC Press Corp), and many others. CNN and MSNBC have become the air waves for racial tension, condemnation of all things considered to be conservative, and any form of legislation, or proposals, especially those deemed to be pro-America, is debated, and deconstructed as to be anti-Black, and pro-White, meaning of course White privilege. 

May I say, the veracity adhered to, by academics including Prof. Eddie Glaude, Princeton U, Charles Blow, Michael Dyson, and others, who acerbate and continue habitually the damnation of the majority population. They may, in fact explain their intent is to call to question racial disparities, but the reality is these comments are most usually divisive. 

Culturally speaking, presently can economic, positional, prominent, literary, privilege/equivalence be obtained in the current Black culture of Anti-White, Acting White, You Think You are White, Blond Hair and Blue-Eyed Devils, Ebonics, Mr. Charlie, The Man, Pigs, Ms. Becky, Ms. Karen, and so much more! I have doubts. Our nation seems on a path not conducive to racial harmony. I suggest if the reduction, even removal, of pronounced racial indicators, such as “Historical Black Colleges and Universities” (HBCU’S) that I refer to as “Race Specific Colleges and Universities” (RSCU’S) should be eliminated. Harvard, and many other educational institutes, do not use the racial indicator “historical”. I believe the acronym HBCU’S is a disguised public promotional advertisement to connote the blackness of the institution, in all forms, with the goal of discouraging White applicants’ participation at any level, and maintaining the institution’s blackness in every sphere: student body, administration, faculty, contracts, curriculum.  I believe HBCU’S are, in fact, “Black Madrasas”, and not conducive to a multi-racial nation whose sociological curriculum is not only ‘pro-Black’ but ‘anti-White’. 

A through examinations of HBCU’S curriculum in its Behavioral Science/Social Science Departments is needed, and a serious review of its actual efforts in racial diversity needs to be conducted; also a realistic review of the ‘United Negro College Fund’ whose slogan ‘a mind is a terrible thing to waste’, is a play to bring sympathy, but more importantly, monetary contributions from White America (contributions from HBCU’S grads is not the leading source of revenue, corporate America is, seconded by White foundations) and to foster its continued support from government agencies at the federal, state, and local levels while they continue to be permitted to use race at the same time diverting the actuality of their blatant racism as a ‘blinds eye’ is continued by governments, political parties, and the media who are ‘Johnny-on-the-spot’ to report any white discriminatory policies (as they should be) alleged or actual, but fearful to examine in any inquisitive fashion HBCU’S.

I have listed below a couple definitions for your consideration:

• Affirmative Action - a simple definition: Affirmative action is defined as a set of procedures designed to; eliminate unlawful discrimination among applicants, remedy the results of such prior discrimination, and prevent such discrimination in the future. Below are 3 types of affirmative actions:
  • Providing equal footing in education (a forward action in college admissions). In my mind this is not a goal of HBCU’S. 
  • Business, employment policies
  • Employment opportunities
• Cultural Appropriation: The unacknowledged or inappropriate adoption of the customs, practices, ideas, etc of one people or society by member of another and typically more dominant people or society. (Blacks claim this against the majority, but this is a claim that easily could be made by the majority in some many spheres of life) 

I have listed 25 of the richest White Americans (acc. To Forbes Mag):

Are these Americans privileged, and White? Dam Right, I would say so, wouldn’t you? Also, I would think the thousands of folks, of all colors, employ are in many ways also privileged.

I have listed 25 of the richest Black Americans (acc. To Forbes Mag):

Are these Americans privileged, and Black? Dam Right, I would say, wouldn’t you? Also, I would think the thousands of folks, of all colors, their employees are in many ways also privileged.

I think privilege, in most cases, is earned. True, some people are born with a ‘silver spoon’ in their mouths, but they are relatively few. Privilege can come in many different forms and considerations. Many people consider to be born as an American is a privilege, as I do. White privilege, as a race, if it is so, then I declare it is deserved and hard earned through blood, sweat and tears, and lead the world in so many categories. 

Finally, privilege is earned, few are born to it, and your privilege depends on you. Can your color be beneficial? Maybe, as can be your efforts!

“Can we remain a nation within a nation, separate but equal, or together and just, as equals and in harmony?”       

Tell me it ain’t so

BA/MS Chicago State University

Author/Essayist/Lecturer: “Race in America Today” and “Race in American Higher Education”

Author: My Memoir “A White Guy’s Walk-Through Black America”

For speaking engagements/requests, materials please send me an email: ninteensixtyfour3@gmail.com