A man of privilege!
 

I keep hearing from others that because I am a white man ... I am a person of privilege. I always bristled at that suggestion. How can anyone who’s never walked a step in my shoes suggest that? ... and then I realized they were right after all! I had the privilege of having a loving mom and dad! They loved their four kids unconditionally! We ended every night with prayer! We said a prayer of thanks at every meal. We started every Sunday morning at Sunday school and then worshiped together in church. All four of us kids were there when we buried our parents. Today the four of us are nothing special ... but we know ... by faith... that Jesus is Lord! I’m sorry ... you are right... I am a person of privilege! Amen!

Thank you! Love your perspective.
It's not who you are....it's what you are
Steve

You have never had to leave your house to go to school or work, and worry that the police car driving up the road is going to stop and officers come out with their hands on the handles of their guns, questioning why you're walking on the sidewalk in your neighborhood.

You have never had to be followed by a store clerk who is worried that you're going to steal something.

You've never been in an elevator and when it opened on another floor, the young family about to get in, chose to wait for another elevator instead.

That is privilege. You enjoy things that black people don't get to enjoy, simply by virtue of your skin color.

Man did you miss the boat with OP's post.

Nice broard paint brush also,
Steve

I got his point completely. He found a way to dismiss and minimize the fact that he, and most white people (including myself) live with a privilege that we don't even realize we have, until someone points it out.

And why do we have such privilege?

Something to do with black crime so much higher than other groups?

No you didn't!
A loving Mom and Dad.. is that privilege?
Ending every night in a prayer....is that privilege?
Prayer of thanks at every meal.... is that privilege?
Sunday School and worshiping as a family...is that privilege?
"They" as a Family know that Jesus is Lord...PRIVILEGE?
That is life, don't spew more about the "oppressed" ...life believe it or not is your life...what "you" make of it, not what "someone" thinks it should be. EVERYONE is what THEY make of THEIR life.
Yes YOU missed the boat with the OP's post
Steve

If the OP hadn't begun his thread with a reference to being privileged "as a white man" I wouldn't have responded, because it'd be a lovely sentiment of a person who is privileged to have wonderful things in his life.

However, he pointed out that the reference was to being privileged "as a white man." NONE of the things he is talking about, are things that are exclusive to being white. Unless he really thinks that black people don't have loving families with moms and dads? And he thinks black people don't pray? And so on and so forth.

Get the "as a white man" out of the thread, and you have a point, Steve. But as long as that distinction remains, it is just ignorance rearing its ugly head.

Obviously you didn't see he followed with " a person of privilege", People see what they want to see.
Steve

I saw what he posted. Here it is again:

Bold/underlined for emphasis. This is plain English. But translating the grammar for ya:

He hears from people that he is privileged BECAUSE he is white. That his privilege - is a direct result of the color of his skin.

And then he goes on to explain how he's privileged.

So HE is missing the point. Or obfuscating it. Or minimizing it. Or possibly not understanding it - however, since he then says he bristles from it, I'm sensing that he totally understands it.

Like I said, "people" see and read what they want. You don't get the message and can't "see the forrest through the trees"
Tunnel vision is a terrible thing.
Steve

Not sure I understand, what’s wrong with being born white, or born a man? Or for that matter a human?

I don’t think he really had a choice in the matter.

Nailed it!

Being born a white male in this country, is the single biggest head-start...a person could have.

One thing you don't hear, are all those white men talking about how they wished they had been born...with black skin.

That speaks for itself. :boom:

Bull ****! Of course....I'm proud of who I am and who I became, not because of color or "privlege" . With my **** of a life when I was younger, I could've gone either way, nobody knows what it was like when or where I grew up. Without going into details...I was a **** of a kid, thank God I had people that cared and helped me take hold of my life.....privileged...without a doubt!
What was your childhood like?
Steve

I did not get into Harvard or any other college through affirmative action and get coached on tests and given the answers ahead of time so I could pass.

I did not get into medical school only because I was black (Matory, Jr.) but unqualified and take the place of a white man who went to medical school in the Caribbean and went on to save many lives and do a lot of charity work (Bakke) only to go on and kill my patients and lose my license to practice medicine. Plastic Surgeon Discusses Patient'''s Death - Los Angeles Times

I did not get hired at higher wages than my white counterparts and only have to show up at work to pick up my paycheck but never have to do any work at all because I was black.

It must be nice to enjoy black privilege.

This white male privilege is a strange thing, why do they not seem to enjoy it much? Why do they have the highest rates of suicide?


Wiki:
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention reported that in 2016 suicide was the 10th leading cause of death in the U.S., imposing a cost of $69 billion to the US annually.[9][18] Other statistics reported are:[9]

The annual age-adjusted suicide rate is 13.42 per 100,000 individuals.
Men die by suicide 3.53x more often than women.
On average, there are 123 suicides per day.
White males accounted for 7 of 10 suicides in 2016.
A firearm is used in almost 50% of all suicides.
The rate of suicide is highest in middle age—white men in particular.

I would argue with your view, but your signature tagline says it all.

“To argue with a person who has renounced the use of reason is like administering medicine to the dead.” Thomas Paine

You might want to find a more applicable signature tag.

Having a pity party? And your mother didn't have to give you the young man talk about how not to walk with your hands in your pockets, don't look "that way" at a white girl and don't argue with a police officer even if they're wrong and several other behaviors that could prevent you from getting home safely. Every black mother has to give this talk, so stop complaining.

We will never be able to get over these racial barriers because of people ( both black and white) not being able to get over the past. Forget the skin color and look at that person as an individual. There are certain people that make it rough on their race by doing terrible things that reflect on them as a race whether they are black or white. We can't base our opinions on these few but we do. We need to look at the big picture and look at one race (the human race). Until we can get skin color and just the few people who set the bad examples out of our head then maybe we can get over this problem. I seriously doubt that it will ever happen because of living in the past

Quit living in the past. Move on

Ok, you are religious. What is your point?

Very degrading.............black men do not wish they were born white.

That is exactly the point. Most white people don't get that (including me for a long time).

OK folks. I've had enough. Yes, I did quite well for myself as I worked my butt off to get where I am. Along the way, I witnessed people of color in the college book store getting free albums, junk food, etc. from their government entitlement check while I paid for my books with the money that I EARNED from the two jobs I had. I worked my way through a thirty five year career by acquiring knowledge and then giving that back to others. I wish I could tell you how many times I was passed over for promotions and positions that would have paid me lots more only because I was a white male. Don't give me this white male priviledge crap. Until you have been discriminated against for what you are, just shut the hell up.

We are Brits and have a second home in TV. So largely we cannot comment on US affairs. But I share a story.
One night we were driving in from MCO.
As we entered Wildwood we were surrounded by 3 cop cars. We didn’t realise our main beams weren’t on. I guess our accents helped. It was a scary incident. They were on the lookout for drugs people. We didn’t fit the profile. Were we privileged? Coming from the UK I don’t know. I would like to think that 99.9% of cops would have treated everybody equally. Just as in the US we in the UK have a few rotten apples who have their own agenda. Whatever your views it would be hard to find any justification in this recent incident or any that are like it.

Let me know when you have your pity party so I can make sure not to show up.

Chris Rock, the black comic, also gives the talk. Like most comedy, it is funny because it is true.

Chris Rock - How not to get your ass kicked by the police! - YouTube

Getting it wrong
 

OrangeBlossomBaby got it 1000 percent right. Listen to the stories of people of color whose life was identical to that of the original post but then had the experiences described by OrangeBlossomBaby. That is privilege.

Privilege
 

There is nothing wrong with being born white. What i s wrong is not recognizing that as a white person in America you are a privileged person.

Is a black man born in the United States a man of privilege compared to one born in a third world country?
Is a member of the Kennedy clan a man of privilege compared to a white retired union worker living in The Villages?
Is the son of a successful black man privileged compared to an unemployed redneck living in a trailer park?
You play the hand you are dealt, cease opportunities, work hard, and celebrate your successes. Otherwise, you dwell on your disadvantages, feel victimized, and resent those who are moving forward.
The color that matters is GREEN.

Funny how all those Asians come here with nothing and not speaking the language and somehow manage to be very successful.

Priveledge
 

Being a white Protestant man is being of the privileged. All you people seem to forget how mr. President Kennedy I start not to have a chance as he was a Catholic. Being black are Muslim or Jewish or not being a prize than white man is taking the chance how being hurt everyday give me a nickel for every time someone came up to me and said gee I had a Jewish boss I was fine working with them. Even when I travel the country as a salesperson I would drive up do Wisconsin weather Chicago license plate I have dumb young man stop me and call me a flatlander. Being a woman or being black or an Asian or Muslim or a Jew means you're a second-class citizen to every white Protestant mail out there that may give you a job or has a position that serves people . it's really nice that you believe in your religion and it gives you much hope and joy, but unconsciously I bet you do things that are prejudiced against most of the world remember Christianity is the smallest numbered of the major religious organizations.

Priveledge
 

By the way in an interesting historical fact in the sixties and 70s during the marches for the blacks to be treated the same as everyone else there was a large block a liberal Jews I would come to Washington DC to march with the blacks. I'm not saying the word Christians but what I am saying do Jews as a group very liberal and still are.

What I'd like everyone to consider instead of being hateful or afraid , what are you going to do to change everyone's perceptions and prejudices? 50 plus years since the March's

We do not choose our race.

I feel so helpless. I am a white woman, by no fault of my own. I am saddened and incensed about the senseless killing of Floyd George, a black man, by no fault of his own. I am as saddened and incensed by this killing as anyone, black or white, by no fault of their own.

What makes a person kill so senselessly? And what makes groups of people react so violently? This is by fault of their own. And that fault has no color, nor race. But fault has intent and it has consequences.

Sadly, today the consequences are for people who are equally saddened and incensed by the tragic, triggering event. Who suffer, by no fault of their own.

I feel so helpless. I want to do something. To participate in the solution in some great or small way. And I am afraid of the consequences of the situation we face today for people of all race, who are going to continue to suffer, because of the fault and intent of others.

If anyone has ideas for how I can contribute to solutions to the tragic situation we are facing, please share.

Oh please! If you act and dress like the right way, you will have no issues. I dont care what color you are. This attitude is whats perpetuating all the riots. You are treated by the way you act. Act like an animal and thats how youll be perceived regardless of your color

Disagree in every aspect with that post
 

I am sorry, but I have to disagree with that post totally, I am a Hispanic male, came over from Cuba In 1962, landed in Miami, did not speak English, had to work since there was no welfare back then, worked as many as 3 jobs to be able to eat, bought a car on payments and moved to Virginia. I saw and felt discrimination, I saw the signs saying “Cubans not allowed” I was called every bad name in the book, I got over it and are now retired with no debt, no pension, but very stable and I buy what I want when I want. It’s what you make of yourself what counts. If you live with a chip on your shoulder it will be there FOREVER. GET OVER IT, work hard, worship hard live a clean life, EVERYONE CAN MAKE IT. AMERICA IS THE LAND OF OPPORTUNITIES, IF YOU ARE WILLING AND ABLE TO EARN IT. GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!!!!!

That’s what happened at my house, too, and I’m grateful for that privilege. It has colored my whole life, as it was meant to.

I’ve had privileges in my life, too. Not because of my ethnicity, but because I worked hard, obeyed the laws, lived frugally, chose a great wife and carefully raised wonderful, very intelligent children. This was available to nearly everyone in America willing to make similar educational choices and defer gratification. Now I own a house in The Villages. Hey, if you live here, you are privileged, right? It’s a privilege to live in this beautiful, neatly kept, very safe place where there is so much to do.

I’d like to mention that during the civil rights period from 1960-1967, my grandfather was a preacher and also the circulation manager for two national popular religious monthly magazines, “These Times,” “for the white folk,” and “Message,” “for the colored,” as they would say. The first had an all white editorial staff. The second had an all black editorial staff. They were published by the same publisher and printed on the same presses in Nashville. My grandfather (born in North Dakota of Danish and Norwegian parents) worked equally for both. Half his preaching was done in “white” churches, mostly in the South, and half of his preaching was done in “black” churches. Usually, he would first preach in a “white” church, then race across town to preach in the “black” church, as they would just be warming up about the time the “white” church members were going home. I got to travel to these churches with him. He was loved in both types of church, and he loved the food served after the second service. I did, too. Under the seat of his Rambler he kept a shotgun with a twelve inch barrel and a pistol grip. For safety in the “black” part of town? No, for safety in case a few angry “whites” tried to stop him as he was leaving town. They did try to stop him a few times, and he had to wave that one-handed little shotgun (never loaded or fired). It definitely changed some minds! The people in the “black” churches loved their families at least as much as the people in the “white” churches. There were differences in privileges and educational opportunities and choices, but in all those churches, people were learning the message and trying to live it. That privilege was available to all, and you are right to point it out.

privileg
 

As a poor white person growing up, coming from the wrong side of the tracks, I had all the same “privileges” as the black person. Enter a store, the security followed you pretending to check the goods. Walk on the wrong side of town, police followed you as if you were about to rob the local establishment. Boys/men thought you and your mother were “easy”. Getting stopped and questioned by local cops “just because”. Called names because you wore hand-me-downs. Yep, sure enjoyed my “white privilege”.
But as Steve said, I had the privilege of loving parents who instilled in me the right and wrong of life including being kind to those different than me.