It has almost
been a year since I last wrote a blog entry. Whether it is from dismay and
dissatisfaction with the political climate in the United States to whether
Indigenous peoples are truly being listened to – I have been pondering many
items. On top of this I have been busy with personal and academic items that
have also taken up quite a lot of my time. However, recently I have been
involved with many online discussions around the topics of racism,
discrimination, privilege and, more specifically, white privilege.
The discussions
I have become involved with regarding to privilege, racism, and discrimination
have been actual debates over whether any or all of the terms mentioned truly
exist. Low and behold, the common thread has been someone of European
background denying that some, or any of them, even exist.
What is White Privilege?
White privilege,
as outlined by Francis E. Kendall, reflects the fact that many of European
ethnic background have benefits to being ‘ethnically white’ in societies where
they have dominated for centuries. Additionally, it is a concept that is
difficult for many who are ethnically white to fully comprehend, as Kendall
mentions, because many white people tend not to feel they have the power that
is associated with privilege. Kendall states in a 2002 academic article that
the lack of comprehension by many white people to the concept of white
privilege is “sort of liking asking fish to notice water or birds to discuss
air. For those who have privileges based on race or gender or class or physical
ability or sexual orientation, or age, it just is – it’s normal.” In other
words, Kendall highlights that there is an inability for many to see it because
it is something they have been accustomed to since birth. Furthermore Peggy
McIntosh elaborates that for many white people, “the items that are privileges
tend to be assumed by them to be privileges universally available to
everybody.” McIntosh also further elaborates that for many white people, “one
of [their] privileges is that [they] see themselves as individuals, just
people, part of the human race.” What many on the ‘white side’ of the human
race forget is that this has been an item they have been able to be conditioned
to view – a view that has allowed them to look forward without reflecting the
past. It has allowed many to also believe that by changing laws means all will
be equal under them since they would be recognized as ‘human’ or ‘citizens.’
Unfortunately, equality does not necessarily mean equity. Nor does it reflect
the reality for many who are not white – or especially who aren’t cis white
males.
The reality is
for many whom are of Westernized European background they have been fortunate enough
to continue living in a more ‘equal’ world then those who are not.
Unfortunately, what is becoming more frightening as some push back against the
concept of White privilege, is also those feeling they can also claim there is
no such thing as racism or discrimination today… a section that many are
pulling out of a Trump play book it seems.
Debates on the Existence of Racism and
Discrimination:
I cant even
count the number of times since November 2016 that I have had to argue with
people who claim racism and discrimination aren't real. It is unbelievable to even fathom that we’re
discussing the existence of racism and discrimination. Thus I wont go into
detail on this because I will treat racism and discrimination as something that
exists. However, I will share definitions with both because I think it is
important to remind some people.
Racism: A belief that race is the primary determinant of human
traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherently
superiority of a particular race.’
Discrimination: The unjust or prejudicial treatment of
different categories of people or things, especially on the grounds of race,
age, or sex.
How does this
relate to issues of white privilege? Well, many who argue against white
privilege try and use a select few examples of non-white people with privilege
to show how a) it doesn’t exist and b) that in comparison to them they have
privilege and are thus doing better then the white individual arguing against
white privilege. What they don’t realize is that it shows not only their
glossing over of true and documented racism and discrimination but also
bypassing the differences between what is called white privilege and privilege
in general.
How Is It That I See White Privilege
Regularly?
I would assume
by now you would know I believe that white privilege does exist. But you may
wonder why. Well, the reality is that, and especially for those of you who
don’t know me in-person, I am an Indigenous person, who is also gay, but looks
stereotypically white. I witness first-hand the change in attitude and approach
people have with me specifically.
In my personal
experiences, the attitude and approach people have with me is traditionally
different when people assume I am a white straight male. I will be treated with
respect amongst many who are white at first – I tend to still be treated well
these days if and when the other person finds out I am LGBT (this was not
necessarily always the case 10 years ago). I am also 6.3 and over 200lbs – that
also has garnered respect. I can look like an educated white straight male and
am usually respected for that … until… they find out I am also Indigenous. I
have seen facial expressions change; body language shift; and so on. My
opinions have gone from being listened to when they assume I am one of them to
being considered conspiracy theorish or bias because I am Indigenous. The key
point here is that I, as someone who looks like a white straight male at times,
witness a complete change from some people when they discoverer I am actually a
European/Indigenous mixed gay man. To further my points, please see a list of
examples – some of which I have experienced myself, others from examples in
studies.
Examples of White Privilege, Racism,
Discrimination, and all Three Together:
- White privilege is not having to defend your argument or point as hard because the methodology and scientific forms dominant amongst Western societal and education structure are assumed to not be biased to western/white societies…its assumed to be unbiased because its already established by your dominant society.
- White privilege is not having to be asked to defend and prove a point relating to the structure or history of your peoples – for instance, not being asked to prove the fact that a specific Indigenous nation was a part of a specific confederation … despite the two people being asked to defend and prove it are 1) a PhD student who does political science and Indigenous politics + 2) a person who is from one of the nations in the confederacy being spoken of.
- White privilege is not having to identify or defend your right to exist every single day and multiple times in a day.
- White privilege is having a diversity of choices for toys as a kid representing whiteness while those who are non-white have select few options...
- White privilege is not having to have someone from another ethnicity say what you and many others of a specific ethnicity have said to either be taken seriously or be listened to (for Instance, White people dont need a black person to say if they are suffering from substandard policy; a White person doesnt need an Indigenous person to discuss if the Irish have been colonized or if past policies have further created problems.. yet in both cases, the black community and Indigenous peoples consistently are only listened to when a person of important stature in the dominant society (Western society) speaks up).
- White privilege is not having to worry, sweat, or internally freak out when a police car begins to follow you – especially when you have done nothing wrong. I think its safe to say a majority of black and Indigenous peoples do not feel this way. Why do they worry, sweat or internally freak out? Pick up a history book or a paper: shooting, excessive force, the ‘starlight tours,’ residential schools, the Sixties Scoops, Wounded Knee, Ipperwash, Caledonia, Oka, and so on).
- White privilege is not having to worry about your resume being cast aside because your name sounds ‘non-white.’
- White male privilege is being able to tell others to get over Trump being elected because its democracy… and not having to fear being targeted or suffering under his presidency because you are not LGBT, female, or a person of colour.
- White female privilege is claiming to be able to talk for all females because you are the same gender, while ignoring the problems many women of colour or Indigenous women face from white women not only today but historically (the famous five in Canada for instance weren’t all necessarily for the equality of all women – with some preferring only equality for white Christian women and, in one case, even arguing for forced sterilization of Indigenous women.
- White privilege is being able to have better socio economic possibilities then someone of colour who is at the same level of education. For instance, a white straight male will do far better then anyone in the work force without a high school diploma… while a white female also will, not as good as a white man, have better opportunities then a black woman, or, say a black gay male...
- The examples and stories of Rosa Parks and Viola Desmond? Racism.
- ResidentialSchools and Sixties Scoop? Racism.
- Expressing or calling someone who is LGBT a ‘Faggot’ – Discrimination.
- Saying all Gays should be killed? Discrimination…. And in many countries NOT ILLEGAL
- Calling an Indigenous person a Dirty Indian and parasite on society? A mix of Racism and Discrimination
- Assuming an Indigenous person doesn’t need a job because ‘they get everything for free?’ A mix of racism and discrimination.
- Not having to worry about where you travel in the world because you are white? White Privilege.
- When white people from European states or around the world are compensated for the territory or property they have lost because of upheaval and wars do not have to defend their compensation like that of many Indigenous peoples, other colonized peoples, etc? White Privilege (or even more specific – settler-colonial privilege in general).
These are specific – lets not get them mixed with generic privilege. Someone who is able to travel, that is a general privilege. Someone who is able to get an education is also a general privilege for some. But lets not forget that stats show a specific group of people can traditionally access both and they don’t tend to non-white peoples in western societies.
Conclusion:
Now, as someone
who grew up of humble means on a reservation and in a single parent family I
have witnessed forms of discrimination but also garnered certain privileges
over time. For instance, I acknowledge that I have the privilege of having a
BA, an MA, and am currently working on my PhD. I, alongside my partner, are in
a comfortable income bracket. I am able to travel to many places, albeit we are
cautious with where we go because we risk being attacked or charged for being
gay.
And, lastly, I
acknowledge that I have the privilege of looking white – which, as long as I
keep my mouth shut, opens doors for me that aren’t open to some of my friends
and family who many look more ‘stereotypically’ Indigenous or whom look black.
My problem is I
wont hide behind looking white when people say ignorant things. My other
intersectionalities do not allow for such a thing. My other problem? Some will
shrug this post off and refer to me as a biased Indigenous person who doesn’t
know what it is like to have to work for everything... (sarcasm intended). Or,
as said to me once: “you’re just a dirty Indian faggot.”
How someone can
look at that sentence and tell me there isn’t racism and discrimination is
beyond me… how someone can look at examples I highlighted and don’t see white
privilege also astounds me… but then again, as highlighted those who shrug this
off help to show the extent that white privilege does go… as shown by the
quotes from Kendall and McIntosh
References:
https://www.cpt.org/files/Undoing%20Racism%20-%20Understanding%20White%20Privilege%20-%20Kendall.pdf
(The most
important article for those who are white and not of wealthy-elite status)
