Safe terms, Euphemisms, Distracting Discursive Projects: “White Privilege,” What’s in a Name?
on August 5, 2007
Category: Black America, Racism
also check me at kameelahwrites.
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Racialicious pointed me toward an awesome blog called the North Star which is “an online forum of discussion and debate maintained by black activist and justice-minded students at Yale University. By creating an easily-accessible online library of social and political commentaries, we strive to foster a community voice that calls for positive change at Yale and across the world.”
I came across their recent post written by Naima and they put words to a lot of frustration I have held about the term “White Privilege” and those who use it so haphazardly. It is entitled “it ain’t privilege, it’s injustice” I have pasted a few parts here, with my response following the block quotes.
however, the fact that most white students at yale (or in this nation) do not think critically about the relationship between their whiteness and social power does not mean that those white, self-professed progressives who recognize their social and economic privilege have accomplished anything more than a certain degree of honesty about history.
This here is an excellent point. I have actually grown exhausted with such
“self-congratulatory” declarations of “I have White Privilege.” While such a declaration requires some introspection, for many Black folks it is a “duh” moment–a reality Black folks and other marginalized people have asserted for decades if not centuries. Sometimes I feel as if the “courageous,” “I have White Privilege” declaration is supposed to be followed by high-fives or gold ribbons or an award ceremony hosted by Black folks who have been awaiting the day some White people begin to acknowledge in some part that life isn’t peachy for all of this. Or maybe, after such declarations of “I have White Privilege” we are supposed to hold hands and hold a joyful funeral for the death of racism.
Declaring that you have white privilege does not make it disappear, nor does it make the lives of marginalized people any better. The problem with the self-congratulatory declaration of “I have White Privilege” is that sometimes-dang, all to often, after such a declaration, some White liberals will believe that their work is now done when all they have done is put together a truthful statement together. This is the danger of empty rhetoric and token sloganeering in anti-racist work. Of course, such a declaration does require some form of racial apostasy in the eyes of those who believe that slavery never existed and all the wealth and success held by White folks was gained from merit alone, but I challenge these people on the “privilege” tip to go a bit further. Now, maybe I am being too harsh, too critical, too acerbic, but at the end of the day, the term “White Privilege” does not even begin to address the relational power dynamics and the marginalization of people of color as Naima addresses with the following comment:
news to the aforementioned self-congratulatory white Leftists:
the much-beloved term “White Privilege” fails to capture the reality of racial injustice in this nation. moreover, unquestioning and incessant talk about the special position that white people inhabit in society reproduces racial divisions in progressive movements and upholds the logic of White Supremacy.
not exactly revolutionary…
“White Privilege” is a misnomer for it suggests that white people enjoy socioeconomic advantages and benefits beyond a standard level of rights and opportunity (which presumably non-white people are afforded). however, the term does not account for the exploitation and disfranchisement of people of color that is a consequence of “White Privilege.” people of color do not possess the freedoms and protections of full and actualized citizenship. the legal and social structures of this nation do not merely demonstrate partiality towards white people but also simultaneously deny people of color the most basic of human rights, such as housing, health, education, justice, peace. the corollary to what some would term “White Privilege” is “colored degradation.”
Safe terms, euphemisms, distracting discursive projects…these technologies are at the root of the term “White Privilege.” White Privilege has become a seductive phrase because it has a distracting and perfunctory purpose of dancing around the core issues of violence, injustice and continued repression that make “White Privilege” a reality. The term “White Privilege” like when folks use the term prejudice instead of Racism is a euphemism for something bigger, more destructive, more violent, and more divisive than the term “White Privilege” even begins to illustrates. “White Privilege” like the term “Diversity” (versus marginalization) signifies no active project of subjugation–no historical situatedness, rather it is more closely identifies an ontological state with no relation to the “others.” For someone to possess “White Privilege,” someone else (ie. me, my neighbors, etc.) have to be put at an extreme disadvantage.
I like the point the Naima makes because “White Privilege” implies that everyone else’s needs are sufficiently meet while white folks get a something extra on the side little. Like everyone in the world has a three piece Popeye’s chicken meal and White folks get an extra biscuit–everyone’s has something to eat, White folks have just a little extra. (I apologize for the fried Chicken analogy…) This arrangement while disturbing, is less discomforting then saying that a majority of marginalized people do not have their basic set of rights meet at the same time that white folks enjoy increasing levels of socio-economic advantages. So if we want to break it down to the Popeye’s analogy, that means that people of color are working with a one or no piece chicken meal because White folks are having a feast with extra sides, wings and biscuits. It is not my intention to distill this issue down to chicken and side dishes, but thought it would be a good visual analogy for our visual learners out there.
It is not the least bit revolutionary to latch on to a declaration that does not force you to confront how your privilege is connected to the continued degradation of others. The point is that before the “We’ve got White Privilege” crew goes running to collect their certificates for being “down,” I suggest that consider another point raised by Naima:
and so the white Leftists who think they are down because they have got the courage to lamentably declare, “We’ve got White Privilege,” it would be more accurate and truthful to say instead, “We are beneficiaries of racism,” or “We participate in a racialized system of oppression.”
how much more reluctant is the race conscious white activist to admit that his “privilege” has a consequence, that his whiteness is more than merely a personal reality about his own social power but is also an agent of violence.
Let’s see how many folks will walk around declaring “I am a beneficiary of racism.”
part of the project for white activists in recognizing their “privilege” should be the rejection of it – one must repent from, rather than embody an identity that represents oppression in its representation of privilege. “White Privilege” ought not be considered permanent or inherent, as if it inescapably resides in a white activist’s skin.
[…]
it is a great contradiction and injury that so much of white Leftist culture hinges upon the use of “White Privilege” as a badge, shield, or excuse. such toxic rhetoric and action naturalize and uphold the racial injustice that undermines the integration, equality, and solidarity we profess to seek.
Here, again, another meaningful point. Often the “I have White Privilege” declaration is stated in an immutable way as if it is an inescapable identity, an unchangeable ontological state. Such a posturing removes responsibility from White leftists. While the White Privilege declaration is problematic and discursively (as well as materially) violent, such a declaration should at least be followed by a sincere and well thought out project to exorcise this Privilege, not carry it around like a clutch purse or backpack that seems to be tethered to your body because to carry without unpacking naturalizes and normalizes the power dynamic, rather than problematizing and smashing it.
Whiteness
White Privilege
Racism
Race Rhetoric
Oppression
Political Organizing
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29 Comments so far
1. Ark
August 5th, 2007 at 9:58 am
It looks like the makers of this blog are feeling secure enough now after the Resident Evil 5 thing to start letting people comment again.
2. Joan Kelly
August 5th, 2007 at 6:35 pm
Provocative and evocative post, thank you. It is - or was, a while back - easier to confront the fact of all the ways being white exempts me from many things people of color deal with. One millionth percentage of which is - I can retreat to spaces where racism does not “come up,” so to speak. Can a person of color, in a racist reality, take a break from racism’s consequences and constructs, at least in this country? I don’t say this to equate the topics or to redirect, but to say an example of what makes me think that: I can stop reading feminist books/news/blogs/whatever, and avoid it as a topic of conversation, but I cannot stop being a person who is rape-able out in the world. That’s the type of some-people-can-turn-it-off, some-people-can’t thing that I mean.
And the above is - while an unhappy subject - still not a personal challenge to me or my life, as a white person. The idea of what actually must I give up in order to change what is being forcibly taken from others - that is scary and excruciating. I have a tendency to make it me-oriented: am I supposed to give up this (the money I spend on eating) or that (living alone in a good sized one bedroom apartment) or the other (saving up for material things I want, or even saving for “financial security,” whatever that is) in order to effect any real change whatsoever? It is still uncomfortable to ask and listen to what another person has to say about what I could do, rather than the self-centered exclamation of “WHAT CAN I DO?” that’s really about guilt and presumed helplessness. That’s the stuff this post made me think of.
Ugh, I don’t know if any of this makes sense. What I want to say is that I am glad people have the balls to confront this issue, among many others, and while I sometimes struggle to understand how to be of service to movements of resistance, I hear all such confrontation as encouragement, as a shred, however tiny sometimes, of faith that it is sane to expect more from me as a white person than irredeemable complicity in the current scheme of things. (Although it may be impossible at this time for me to write shorter sentences, ahem.)
3. Beauty
August 5th, 2007 at 10:36 pm
Boldly go where others shy away, maybe that is why we love you S. Like some poeple, I think powerlessness is a state of mind and if you think you are, well, you are. Blacklooks is full of heros that are case studies for change. Blogging and connecting in converastions will make the “privileged few” obsolete in any colour
4. Anonymous
August 6th, 2007 at 4:09 am
How can anyone ever trust anything you say ever again? You don’t have the slightest clue what you are talking about and are obviously more interested in knee jerk reactions than actual research and thoughtful commentary. You are a clown.
5. kameelah
August 6th, 2007 at 4:12 am
Anonymous…thank you for hiding behind anonymity. If anything it is YOU who engages in discursive alchemy. If you do not like what is written here, you are not required to visit this site, however because I do think you like this site because you returned to it, at least have the decency to make yourself known and back up your accusations with evidence.
6. kameelah
August 6th, 2007 at 4:13 am
Beauty thank you for the support!
7. Joan Kelly
August 6th, 2007 at 4:16 am
Really? Still with the anonymous posting of horseshit-ery? Wherein someone ELSE’S character is not up to par by YOUR standards, Spineless McDouchebag? Please.
8. Joan Kelly
August 6th, 2007 at 4:16 am
Really? Still with the anonymous posting of horseshit-ery? Wherein someone ELSE’S character is not up to par by YOUR standards, Spineless McDouchebag? Please.
9. kameelah
August 6th, 2007 at 4:16 am
Joan Kelley: I see what you are saying about being able to “turn-off” and it is certainly an important issue. I really appreciate your sincerity and honesty here. These issues are hard because we always shy away from discomfort when I think it is discomfort that moves us to action.
10. Joan Kelly
August 6th, 2007 at 4:17 am
And really, me, with the accidental double posting? :0
11. Edward A.
August 6th, 2007 at 3:05 pm
Hah, like ANYTHING written on this blog is gonna get taken seriously after that whole Resident Evil 5 thing… It did quite a good job showing how little you people (and by that I mean the bloggers, not the blacks) care about proper research, common sense or even logic.
Within hours, Blacklooks.org became a JOKE all over the Internet. If I didn’t know better, I’d even assume that this website is satire.
12. Joan Kelly
August 6th, 2007 at 11:30 pm
Eek, Kameelah, I had written a comment after seeing your kind words, but because of my double posting and then making fun of myself afterwards, it wouldn’t let me post the fourth comment (where I thanked you) because it thought I might be a spammer, what with the fast and furious commenting. Forgot that it didn’t post, so am saying it now - thank you for the kind words, and again for the post itself.
Edward A. - making up a fake first name and a fake last initial does not make you any less ball-free. Joan Kelly is my whole, real name, and I stand by my immature name calling of those who think they have a right to come here and talk shit/try and intimidate the bloggers into silence. Over a video game? Are you fucking kidding me?
13. jon
August 7th, 2007 at 12:30 am
Speaking of fucking kidding me, I don’t understand how this topic helps anyone. All it does is alienate the few people in power who take the “plight” of minorities seriously. Do you know what kind of people made race a factor in school desegregation? It was white liberals who felt guilty. Do you know what happens when you become hyper-sensitive and turn-off your white liberal support? You essentially turn back the clock on brown vs. the board. Now I wouldn’t be too worried because I doubt this site is a real hang-out of the ivy league so you probably won’t upset many yaleys, but think about it huh? Maybe pick your battles next time?
P.S. Also who do you think is going to support your reparations stunt? (answer: white people who feel guilty. You don’t want them to rethink their guilt.)
14. Abdurahman
August 7th, 2007 at 10:15 am
A great post.
15. cjwilliams
August 7th, 2007 at 2:36 pm
Althought I don’t agree with his tone, Jon has a ligitimate point. I hear you Kameelah, and I agree, white folks (not just liberals but all white folks) must address their false status in our society. It is indeed a status that was stolen and built upon the backs of people of color. It has been carefully structured to frame it and shape it so that we, the white folks, don’t ever need to consider how our status and our perception of its normalcy is completely denegrating to all people of color.
However, that is exactly the point. Most whites don’t ever consider it because we don’t have to. Therefore, when any white person has that realization, as much of a duh moment it is, it is a realization for that white person. As this normalcy has been carefully structured over centuries I believe we must allow a bit of time for that duh moment to take effect.
The truly sad realization (that many white folks have) is that they, we, don’t have to do anything about it. Ethics and morality aside, why would any white folks want to give up what they have when they (we) have gotten so used to it? That’s a sobering thought no? Beverly Tatum addresses this in her book “Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?”
I’m not justifying oppression, quite the contrary. What I am saying is that perhaps a nod to the few, because sadly it is only a few, white folks that are wrestling with this issue and what to do about it now that the duh moment has taken place, might help to sway them over to the side of action.
16. Londin Gibson
August 7th, 2007 at 5:47 pm
You are in a sense promoting racial segregation. If that’s what you want, make it clear. People are people; honestly, I’ve never even heard of “white privelege”. Most white people in the United States aren’t raised near black people and most black people in the united states aren’t raised near white people. I see the same insensitivity that some whites express.
I won’t lie, I found out about your site through the Resident Evil thing. That is a game made by Japanese people for Japanese people in Japan. It just so happens to be quite popular everywhere else as well-especially America. In no way however do the Japanese think white people want to shoot as many black people as they can find in a videogame. And if you are wondering why the main character speakes english, it’s because in Japan english is considered cool.
“the legal and social structures of this nation do not merely demonstrate partiality towards white people but also simultaneously deny people of color the most basic of human rights, such as housing, health, education, justice, peace.”
I’m black and I live in a house. Affirmative action lets me go to school and currently, there is no race war between blacks and whites.
The justice system however could use some review sure but anyone knows that most crimes take place in a city. Los Angeles just happens to be a city where there are a lot of black people. Those prisons make sense.
Sure there are some racist cops but what about the black ones? LA is no happy go lucky romp through a Spike Lee movie. It’s pollutted and people are idiots. They ARE city folk.
I don’t see a solution on your blogs. Just anger. The most successful black people in the world don’t spend their lives criticizing white people and the one’s that do, are comedians. You don’t seem very funny to me-you seem to want to be taken quite seriously. If this is your intent, it might be wise to focus on the possibilities and opprotunities that are left for black people and stop “reminding” them how bleek everything is. I use the term “remind” loosely as it is you that is “remdinding” everyone. I prefer the term inform. Stop reminding everyone how bad things are and inform them on what they can do about it; if anything.
I really like the work you do that informs us on Africa. Honestly, I think we should hear more about Africa. There’s a lot of work to be done there. There’s obviously a gay rights issue, issues with wars, starvation, etc…
The real problems aren’t in a videogame and I think you know this. In the words of a great former racist: “Do the Right Thing.”
17. Joan Kelly
August 7th, 2007 at 6:00 pm
“jon” - How prescient of you to have divined that the people who write this blog, and other blogs that are referenced here, have never encountered the fake support of white liberals before, and are therefore in need of your wise and timely advice. Thank god for you, kind sir!
18. cjwilliams
August 8th, 2007 at 4:08 pm
Londin, if you are curious about White Privilege and this topic of a race structured society, there are some things you need to read: “Unpacking the invisible knapsack” by Peggy McIntosh; “Why are all the black kids sitting together in the cafeteria?” by Beverly Tatum; “Understanding Difference” by Elaine Pinderhughes; and pretty much anything by Audrey Lorde.
This is not a novel concept. White privlege exists and the fact that you are not aware of it is by design. Why do you think that most whites live with other whites and blacks with blacks? Is that a coincidence? I encourage you to keep considering this topic and question why things are the way they are. Nature vs. Nurture: is it true that “people are people” or are we taught to be a certain way by images on TV, newspapers, books, music videos and yes video games.
Read some of those selections and keep asking questions.
19. jon
August 9th, 2007 at 2:42 am
“Joan Kelly”- Whatever, I guess if you people prefer real animosity to feigned sympathy it’s up to you. Personally it seems to me that resegregation of schools is not the terribly distant cousin of lynch mobs. But you people can go it alone all you want. Just sit and cluck in your knitting circle zapping all those with dissenting points of view and sooner or later, all that will remain will be people with torches. Makes little difference to us who enjoy privelege. Nice knowing you…
20. Joan Kelly
August 9th, 2007 at 12:45 pm
I actually “enjoy” the same privilege you do, being about as white as a person can be without having the albino gene. And I still cannot understand what the hell you’re trying to convey, besides an excuse for yours and others’ racism simply because you’re not wearing a white sheet and burning crosses.
I am envious of cjwilliams’ ability to be respectful in his/her disagreement with posters here. I’m not being sarcastic, either.
21. Joan Kelly
August 9th, 2007 at 12:46 pm
crap!!!! and envious of others’ ability to not double post on accident!!!
22. jon
August 9th, 2007 at 1:05 pm
I will spell it out clearly. If minorities want equality, they cannot get on their own. If they had that kind of clout they wouldn’t be minorities. Change requires power and power, at least in this country, comes from compromise and uniting people under a common goal. Whining because a small time piece of slang on a ivy league campus doesn’t do justice to the pain and suffering of a people is a waste of time. It is divisive and will not draw anyone to the cause (for that matter so is arguing who is the most oppressed and arguing about whether or not we should argue it). You want change? Work for a solution and ignore anything that doesn’t support the goal.
And I know you care as little about my thoughts as I do about yours, but I do not make excuses for my feelings, which are not based on race. Anyone who Works hard and tries to make the world a better place is alright by me. Anyone who sits on their porch, lives on government money, and complains about how hard life has been is just making the world a worse place for all of us. I know numerous people of all races that fall into both categories, but if you think most of the latter type happen to be a certain color and that makes me a racist, so be it.
23. cjwilliams
August 9th, 2007 at 1:54 pm
Joan, I understand being angry, but my experience is that anger leads to shouting which leads to not listening. I don’t believe anger has a place here because if someone takes the time to post then I assume they are willing to engage in dialogue. If not, then he/she is not worth the time it takes to respond.
Jon, is your use of “you people” a concious jab intended to piss everyone off? I would like to assume it’s ignorance on your part because that is easily as offensive as any racial slur. Not nice.
24. jon
August 10th, 2007 at 1:03 am
In this context “you people” refers to those monitoring and participating in this dialog who think that the Yale types need to stop using the phrase that started this whole mess to pat themselves on the back. I think those people (is this better?) are being too sensitive and wasting energy on something that won’t contribute to their ultimate goal which is, presumably, leveling the playing field so no one will have privilege anymore. I don’t pretend that my opinions will change any of yours so, by all means, continue to be sensitive and divine insults where none exist, then brand all those with dissenting views racists. Whatever sinks your boat.
25. Paris
August 10th, 2007 at 7:13 pm
I must admit that i often forget that world is feel with jons. I feel like I might need to shuck and jive cause after all its up to massa to set us free.
Power is not given or negotiated, it is taken. You are right about one thing Jon, how can people of color expect anything from white folks? To share power are we crazy? Our long and tenuous history should keep informing the steps we take to smash white supremacy. Why is someone else going to give up their power so we can be free!
White guilt, a useless emotion. Neo liberalism- a big joke.
People of color know the reality, white folks patting themselves on the back as the cry about their guilt- never taking it down in a way outlined in that incredible essay.
If anything Jon, you appear to be a negrophile, not a white ally, and should keep quiet about all issues Black. Talk from your experience and we will talk from ours.
26. Nicky C
August 10th, 2007 at 11:27 pm
When will Kym Platt admit her blog post for Resident Evil 5 was just plain wrong?
“…the fact that this video game is marketed to children”
This is pure fiction - in fact you could surely be sued for producing such misinformation.
It is a real pity one of the contributers to this site can’t debate the real issue without resorting to lies (or at best not researching what they are posting about).
Kym, how can people believe what you say in earnest if you won’t admit a mistake? It’s time to be a mature person and admit you made mistakes in your post in order to promote your wider message.
27. Alas, a blog » Blog Archive » The 16th Erase Racism Carnival!
August 27th, 2007 at 6:35 am
[…] And when you’re done reading the above post, you may also want to read this related post at Black Looks. […]
28. D
August 27th, 2007 at 4:19 pm
Clearly the idea that black folks in ivy league schools may not be falling over their feet in gratitude to The Man has upset somebody… I think blogs like this are quite necessary, not only because they offer poc and allies a place for discussion, but make others aware of just how small their spheres of knowledge are. Which they may react to badly, but. *shrug*
29. why I don’t play the “white guilt” and “white privilege” games « it’s all one thing
January 4th, 2008 at 9:29 pm
[…] and “white privilege” games Posted in class by shetterly on August 27th, 2007 Black Looks: Safe terms, Euphemisms, Distracting Discursive Projects: “White Privilege,” What’… has this: I have actually grown exhausted with such “self-congratulatory” declarations of “I […]