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Richard King
Instructor: Katie Lookholder
Sociology 001 - Section #32395
March 2nd, 2016
White Privilege
White privilege is something that is tough for someone like me to talk about. I am a white
male in a society which is dominated by white males. I am ashamedly a recipient of such
privilege and would like to do something to bring it to an end. I know that it is not possible for
me alone to do this but I think that one tiny step in the right direction is for people like me to
openly admit that this issue exists and to not be afraid to start an open dialog about it. What is
white privilege, how did it come to be and what, if anything can be done about it? This paper will
explore the history of this issue, who is affected and in what way, how people deal with it, and
we will delve into some possible solutions and deeper understanding of this matter.
White privilege is the phenomenon of white people in the United States receiving
a sort of preferential treatment by virtue of simply being white. Many white people in this
country experience the benefit of this phenomenon regularly without even realizing it. White
privilege can be very subtle. Experiences such as knowing that you will not be harassed by
security while shopping, being greeted with open arms by neighbors when you buy a home, and
just the simple feeling of being considered normal within our society are just some of the ways
that white privilege manifests itself. Of course this privilege can vary quite a bit given differing
circumstances and can be seen in everyday experiences. While many of its recipients remain
oblivious, many others flat out deny its existence and become defensive at the very notion
(Emba).
Personally, I experience this issue on a daily basis. I live in a predominantly black

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community with a seemingly all white police force. The big grocery stores also do not reflect the
culture of the community. Since I have moved into this neighborhood about seven years ago, I
have been pulled over by the police eleven times (usually for false reasons). I have not been
written a ticket even once. I drive a car with all tinted windows and I get the distinct impression
that they are intending to pull over African American drivers and decide to let me go without any
citation when they realize that I am not a person of color. While I am always relieved to not get
cited, I cannot help but wonder if this is simply because I am white. Of course this is speculation
and anecdotal evidence does not make a strong case. This is just one small example of my
everyday experience here though. I love my neighborhood and all of the people in it and I just
cannot stand this kind of treatment by the authority figures. I am also very aware of how
differently I am treated (than my neighbors) while shopping and dealing with mundane day to
day activities. It is not simply guilt that I am feeling, it is deep sadness bordering on outrage with
a genuine feeling of helplessness.
What can we do about this issue? This has proven a difficult puzzle to solve. As
Fredrik deBoer explains in his article in the Washington Post, many white people have
acknowledged their privilege, have spoken out about it and even scolded others for it but without
actually doing anything about it. DeBoer claims that simply admitting to the problem does
nothing to solve it. In fact, he says, it is akin to congratulating yourself (deBoer). While this
may be true to a certain extent, I cannot agree that it does nothing. In fact, I think that there is a
certain sense of cynicism in deBoers piece that could border on counter productiveness.
Chastising others for acknowledging the problem and speaking out about it could discourage
some folks from doing the same. Also, claiming that this is a futile fight makes for an excuse to
do nothing. I truly think that the first step to solving a problem is to admit that there is one. The

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real problem is not that people are speaking out about it but that not enough people are even
willing to admit to its very existence. White privilege is real and the more attention that is
brought to it, the closer we will come to solving it.
In many ways, white privilege is the result of a long
and painful history in this country. Starting with slavery and moving forward into the present,
white folks have a long history of wealth and control while African Americans have struggled to
catch up both socially and economically.

But this is not to say that they are catching up. In

some ways, the divide is only growing larger. The wealth gap between blacks and whites, in
2013, reached its highest point since 1989 (Reed). Affording blacks the financial opportunities to
reach equal pay status is the first step in remedying this issue. It is a small step but, nevertheless,
one that must be taken. Financial equality is part of what is at the heart of this issue and this is
not a step that can be taken overnight. This is a long and steady fight that must be seen through to
the end.

Another way to address this is to address racism in general. Racism

is a learned behavior and we need to unlearn it. This is a difficult endeavor, to be sure. We, as a
society, must move on to a future where ones ethnic background or skin color does not dictate
their treatment. Things are moving forward ever so slowly in this direction. We need to
acknowledge the contributions that the black community has provided our country through
education. We need to acknowledge that black history is American history and that it should not
be relegated to a specific month or class. When we start teaching our children these things then
maybe white people will not grow up to feel quite so entitled (Holladay).
White privilege could also very well be called
white male privilege. There are many types of privilege in this country that are afforded to
white, straight, male, U.S. citizens that many of us take for granted. There is a term which

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describes how we can be privileged in some ways and not others. This term is intersectionality.
Intersectionality explains how white males in our society, even if born into poverty, can still be
privy to white privilege. This is where many people are in denial. It is hard for them to
understand that they are being given extra advantages in life when they are living in poverty
(Crosley-Corcoran).

There are many ways to study this

phenomenon through the lens of sociology. Functionalism could see this as a necessary way for
an unequal society to work. Symbolic Interactionism could see this as a challenge for African
Americans to use their voices to enact change on a daily basis or through a series of protests.
But, the overwhelming theory that is apparent in this struggle is conflict. Conflict theory is
evident throughout this issue. These are people who are struggling to maintain power and control
of money and resources. White privilege is just another avenue for the bourgeois to have control
over the proletariat. Racism in general is a gleaming example of conflict theory in action. This is
a struggle that has a long history, not just in this country, but worldwide. People have been using
race to discriminate against or enslave others since the birth of society. This, however, does not
excuse inaction. Just because it has a long history does not mean that it cannot be changed.
Indeed, as time moves forward, so does the world. We must move forward and be forever
vigilant that we do not allow ourselves to fall backward. White privilege is an ugly remnant of
this countrys ugly past and, as we move forward, we can solve this problem though education,
economic opportunity and tolerance.

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Works Cited

Crosley-Corcoran, Gina. Explaining White Privilege to a Broke White Person. Occupy

Wallstreet. Web. 2 March 2016.
<< http://occupywallstreet.net/story/explaining-white-privilege-brokewhite-person>>

DeBoer, Fredrik. Admitting That White Privilege Helps You is Really Just Congratulating
Yourself. The Washington Post. 28 January 2016. Web. 2 March 2016.
<< https://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2016/01/28/when-white-peopleadmit-white-privilege-theyre-really-just-congratulating-themselves/>>

Emba, Christine. "What is White Privilege?" The Washington Post. Jan 24 2016. ProQuest.
Web. 2 Mar.

2016 .

Holladay, Jennifer R. M.S. White Anti-Racist Activism: A Personal Roadmap. Crandall, Dostie &
Douglass Books, Inc. Roselle, NJ. 2000. Print.

Reed, William. "White Privilege." Washington Informer: 19. Feb 2015. ProQuest. Web. 2 Mar.
2016 .