After watching the Tim Wise video in class, what do you think about the idea of privilege? Please support your answers.
I think the concept of privilege is still very prevalent today. Just as Wise described in his discussions with law enforcement officers, the simple lack of being profiled solely on the basis of race in the case of the young white male driving a nice car should be counted as unearned privilege. Peggy McIntosh, in White Privilege and Male Privilege: A Personal Account of Coming to See Correspondences' Through Work in Women's Studies, also addresses this issue by stating, "The appearance of being a good citizen rather than a troublemaker comes in large part from having all sorts of doors open automatically because of my color."
It seems as though McIntosh and Wise’s ideas on the definition and implementation of privilege coincide. Both do an excellent job of relaying the idea of white denial as a major detriment in moving forward to further eliminate racist constructs. McIntosh says, “As a white person, I realized I had been taught about racism as something that puts others at a disadvantage, but had been taught not to see one of its corollary aspects, white privilege, which puts me at an advantage.”
How does the media utilize privilege in media representation? Give examples.
Unfortunately, just as it is overwhelmingly difficult to find a single individual who provides completely unbiased opinions and information, it is rare to find a media outlet that does not utilize privilege in media representation. Without even knowing it, by portraying certain stereotypes like the “dumb blonde” or “Black gangster”, generalizations are reinforced. In this, certain groups are being built up and other groups are being broken down. Stereotypes are recreated so that they are further molded into the depths of people’s brains to be understood in terms of the “that’s just the way it is” type of mindset. In “The Brady Bunch,” for example, a white American family is seen as the ideal, working together to solve their daily problems and always finishing the show with a happy ending. This isn’t considered abnormal. The same goes for the obstacle-studded yet mostly happy-go-lucky-way-of-life for the characters in “Clarissa Explains It All.” And when you do see a “normal” idyllic African-American family on television, such as on the “Cosby Show,” most would probably think, “oh how nice it is to see a family that has stepped up and not conformed to the ways of their race” instead of, it’s just another typical American family sitcom. Why can’t they be just another American TV show? Because the Cosbys don’t fit the norm. Do we see any powerful African-American women entering the set of “Sex and the City,” any reality TV shows about 20-something year old, thriving African-American women in the Hills of Hollywood, or young affluent African-Americans in “Gossip Girls” living the privileged, up-town lifestyle. And finally, the CW has a new show out titled “Privileged” based the posh, and need I say, privileged, lifestyles of some young Caucasians “living the life” in the high society of Palm Beach. The only African-American in the regular cast, Marco, is a sexy, live-in chef. Hmmm. Need I say more?
For the next several days, please keep a list (try) of the privileges you see in your daily experiences. They can be your privileges or what you believe to be someone else's privilege. You should have a minimum of eight and they will be listed in your blog.
When I walk into a department store, the store clerk follows me with suggested additional purchases instead of the suspicion that I am trying to steal something.
I can go to the bank to get a loan without worrying that they will turn me away based on my race.
I likely won’t be stopped trying to cross the border because of the suspicion that I am a danger to another society.
When I watched Disney movies when I was young, I was watching princesses (and princes) of my own race.
If I don’t go to class, don’t turn in assignments, or don’t show up to work, my laziness will not be attributed to my race.
If I do badly in a class, my failure will not be said to be a result of my race and my overall intelligence not questioned.
When I walk into Wal-Mart to the Maybelline area of the cosmetics section, I can be fairly sure they will have the color foundation I need or have a wide range of choices for me to choose from.
If I can’t dance or don’t have any athletic ability, I am not considered an anomaly of my race.
Do you think society still believes in the one drop rule?
My answer to this inquiry is a resounding YES. To support my answer, I simply look to the OU campus and the interactions and perceptions within the student body. Walking along campus, I have come to realize that if someone sees me, there is absolutely no question as to what race I embody. Without a second glance, they pass by because who questions the “norm”? However, on the other hand, those who may have a hint of color in their skin are instantly labeled as some kind of “different” even if people can’t nail down exactly what that difference is. And unfortunately, while society wants to say it carries the idea that different isn’t bad, “different” carries a negative connotation that says individuals who don’t precisely fit the white normative standard are second-rate.
Reflection: At the end of the video Tim Wise talked about responsibility of knowledge and Beverly Tatum (1992) suggests that as adults we have a responsibility to identify new information and change our behavior based on this new found awareness. Please discuss from your perspective.
As we endeavor to gain valuable information and recognize differences in our daily experiences, we must also be willing to not only learn of these differences but also act to better the circumstances. I have always been taught that it is imperative to actually critique, analyze and further develop ideas after gaining foundational information. In doing this, we can form a type of knowledge that is then helpful in creating a certain wisdom in how to deal with situations and obstacles regarding privilege and racism that are imminent in today’s societies. Albert Einstein once said, “Information is not knowledge.” Instead, it is vital to do something with that knowledge instead of allowing it to become stagnant, unused simple fact somewhere in the subconscious. Instead, I have learned to apply information I gain to reality, to my life and the lives of those around me in order to further formulate an understanding that is deeper– a type of comprehension that intertwines many pieces of information into a web that can be considered a solid argument or a strong belief system. In this class, we have already learned of some of the many problems that plague our media and our culture today. However, Johann Wolfgang said, “Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do.” Not only must we know about these issues, we must actually apply our knowledge and our understanding in both critical academic analysis and, more importantly, a personal analysis of life, what has made things the way they are, and how to move forward in a healthy way.
We can and should be a part of the solution to the problems that we encounter each and every day, especially as we are made more and more aware of the presence of the man privileges we are provided. However, I am incredibly concerned that society has become decidedly complacent in their efforts to continue to move forward toward a completely unbiased lifestyle. We cannot simply acknowledge that racism exists and do nothing to curb its impact and place in society. We must acknowledge the fact that at the expense of others, some are privileged simply on the basis of the color of their skin. Those who experience privilege because of their race must recognize the fact that, not only do they gain certain privileges, but someone else is also losing at the very same moment that they are winning. The problem with this, for many people, lies in the fact that acknowledging the presence and prominence of racial privilege would then put people in a state of responsibility and accountability to change. Open discussion about white privilege is habitually discouraged, even more overwhelmingly in “mixed company”, because of the heated dialogue that could ensue and possibly even bring about “radical” change. Yet, in reality, this is the only way to begin a reformation of ideas, mindsets, prejudices, and lifestyles.
Susan B. Anthony once said,
http://www.buzzflash.com/articles/contributors/1755
Tim Wise’s further explanation of his theories on white privilege:
http://www.everydaycitizen.com/2008/09/tim_wises_response_to_his_orig.html
"Privileged":http://cwtv.com/shows/privileged/about
Understanding and application, simple but oh so important. Good job.
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