Understanding White Privilege and Systemic Racism

Once again, I had discussion with one of my White male friends and I always get a question about what roadblocks I have run into at his point in my life.  How my progress has been hindered because I’m a Black man in America.  Then I get a story about him growing up poor and managing to find success.  I gave him some examples of how I could sense resistance from some potential employers after seeing me in person.  Because guess what, I don’t sound “Black” on the phone.  I’m not really sure how to express in words the persistent inequalities and systemic barriers faced by black individuals.

After further discussion with him, I definitely could see he couldn’t even imagine what I was telling him, because he obviously never faced the same situations.  The whole “White Privilege” verbiage sent him over the edge.  Maybe we could come up with a better term that doesn’t make people feel we are saying they are born with a silver spoon.  

Here are my observations:

1. White privilege has historically provided advantages to white individuals, creating an unlevel playing field. 

  - White men often question white privilege by citing personal hardships, but fail to recognize systemic advantages. 

  - Historical examples include compensation to slave owners post-slavery, while slaves received nothing. 

2. The perception of loss of power among white individuals as the playing field becomes more level. 

  - White individuals may feel threatened by the leveling of the playing field and blame others for perceived losses. 

3. Historical injustices against black individuals continue to affect them today. 

  - Examples include the destruction of Black Wall Street and political sabotage during the Wilmington riots. 

  - Jim Crow laws and current disparities in law enforcement and judicial outcomes. 

4. Black individuals face harsher punishments and fewer opportunities compared to their White counterparts. 

  - Black individuals often receive more severe punishments for similar crimes compared to White individuals. 

  - Black farmers historically received less support than White farmers, leading to loss of land and livelihood.