White Men Can’t Jump, But They’ve Got Other Tricks Up Their Sleeves: The (Unearned) Privilege of Being White

Here’s a little something to ponder:

Band Aids.

What comes to mind? Perhaps a small, rectangular piece of flexible plastic with adhesive that sticks to your skin and pulls at your little hairs when you finally tear it off, bringing back unpleasant memories of your last Brazilian wax.

No? I should leave the Brazilian wax out of this, you say?

Okay, fine. No wax for you!

Back to Band Aids. Visualize a Band Aid for a moment. (Or, “adhesive strip” if you don’t care to participate in genericized trademarks.)

What color is it?

I think we can all probably answer that question without much debate.

The real question at hand, however, is why I’m rambling on about the color of Band Aids. The answer is because something so simple holds far more meaning than we notice. Considering that they’re named “flesh-colored” or “nude,” it’s an indirect (but bold) statement that essentially says, “White people are the standard human being.”

Coincidentally enough, based on the 2000 Census, CNN reports that by 2021, more than half of all children in the United States will be minorities. (Hence making them the majority.) That’s in eleven years, my friends. Not much time at all. As a result, the common argument that the Band Aids company is merely making a savvy business decision by marketing to its primary demographic will soon be rendered null and void. Hasta la vista, baby.

Yup, That’s Right: Here Comes The Can of Worms. And I’m About to Open It Faster Than You Can Say “Oh, boy.”

While we so proudly claim that racism no longer exists, the reality is that we’re surrounded by it.

It might not be overt, but it doesn’t have to be. The technical term for this is called unearned white privilege, which essentially just means that–hey, sugar–if you’re white, the cards are stacked in your favor.

Everyday, without even recognizing it, white people–myself included–soak up all sorts of benefits from being light-skinned. From not having women clutch their purse tighter in passing, to being able to drive a brand new car without people wondering if it was purchased with drug money, to being able to move into a new neighborhood without having the neighbors wonder if their property value will be negatively affected. . . right on down to having a “nude” colored Band Aid that are, well, nude.

Unfortunately, unearned white privilege isn’t something you can decide whether or not you want to participate in–if you’re white, you automatically get these fun little chocolate-dipped, unseen luxuries. From this perspective, such a reality admittedly conflicts with one of my strongest convictions here at The Middle Finger Project, that of individual choice enabling us to get out there and take control of our lives. The truth is, that’s a limited viewpoint, because to a certain extent, we are the product of what we will ourselves to be, yes, but also what the society in which we live lets us be.

Meritocracy Exposed (And It Doesn’t Look All That Good Naked, I’m Sorry To Report)

So perhaps more importantly, the concept of the United States system of meritocracy–essentially which says that everything and anything can be earned–is revealed for what it truly is–a myth that serves to boost our self-esteem, making us work especially hard and then allowing us to boastfully assume that we fully deserve whatever reward comes as a result.

The truth is, some of us have had a little help.

We really (really) hate admitting that, too. I’m sure that many of you are getting heated inside right now, conjuring up a fiery comment that you can make, telling us how you’ve worked hard for everything you’ve ever had. And no one’s denying that; I’m the first to say that I’ve worked my ass off for everything that I have today.

But despite things like discrimination against women or the poor, if those women or those poor people are white, they’re still drawing on white privilege somewhere.

What’s the big deal, you ask?

The big deal is that racism, in general, is (insert expletive) absurd.

It is social construct that’s based entirely on a color. A color. And just in case some of us missed the memo, the color of a person’s skin has no bearing on his/her feelings, thoughts, ideas, intelligence or potential. As a matter of fact it has no bearing at all–just the bearing that we arbitrarily assign. It is so utterly inconsequential, that I’m frankly baffled we could ever make such an issue out of it. It’s comparable to forming a KKK to take out anyone with black hair.

And that’s plain idiotic.

Why should hair color be different from skin color?

If you’re still hopeful that racism doesn’t exist, check out this little gold nugget of a fact: In Andrew Hacker’s book, “Two Nations,” which questions the value of whiteness according to whites, his study asks students how much money they’d seek if they were suddenly changed from white to black.

The answer?

Most seemed to feel that it would not be out of place to ask for $50 million dollars, or $1 million dollars for every year of blackness. Pretty clear our perception on the value of being white, eh?

Racism Rejected. Hardcore. Like The Guy I Danced With Last Night Who Kept Insisting We Start a Relationship. Note: Very Weird.

This truly makes no sense to me. Have you ever dated one of those people who, you swear, invents drama just for the sake of having drama? Almost for the sake of just having something going on? I feel that when it comes to racism, our collective society is that guy. It’s as if we feed off of it. Yet, at the end of the day, we are all the same species–skin color varies, just as the shape of our noses, mouths, ears and/or pot bellies. And I’ll be damned if someone is going to persecute me if I’ve got a little spare tire action going on. Why should skin color be any different?

As a matter of fact, the lightness or darkness of one’s skin color is really just the inheritance of one particular gene. (For the record, they say that the ability to roll one’s tongue is dependent upon a gene, which a small percentage of the population does not have. I am included in that percentage. Yes, it does frustrate the shit out of me, thanks.) Here’s the explanation on the race gene I got from this really cool website:

Skin color involves a relative handful of genes with the most important being SLC24A5 which produces melanin, a molecule that absorbs solar radiation, particularly potentially harmful UV radiation. There are two variations with the variation that produces the amino acid alanine being associated with a dark complexion and the variation that produces the amino acid threonine being associated with light skin. In general a pigment is black if it absorbs the entire visual light spectrum. It is white if it reflects the entire visual light spectrum.

So, let me get this straight: We’ve been making such a big deal about this in the name of one little gene? Seriously, I can only hope that the tongue-rolling nazis don’t start coming out of the woodwork. Would I, too, be taken behind a convenience store, brutally beaten unconscious, urinated on, stripped naked, chained with a logging chain by the ankles to a pick up truck, & then dragged along a cement road for three whole miles until my head was decapitated…and then thrown to the side of the road, before my assailants took off to enjoy some beef n beer at a god damn barbeque?

Are you kidding me?

Do me a favor. Look this man in the face. This is the man who had to endure that cruel, unjust torture. All because his body produced more of the amino acid alanine.

Honestly, I hope that makes us all feel horrible to our core. I hope that the next time any of us even think about thinking a semi-racist thought, go ahead and picture James Byrd Jr.

Here’s the deal:

Racism is stupid. It hurts me deeply to hear irrational, hurtful, discriminating comments. While researching the issue of unearned white privilege, I came across a forum, where the question was posed, “Are there Band Aids for black people?” to which a commenter responded, “Yeah, they’re called Food Stamps.” I simply cannot express not only my rage at that comment, but at my utter despair as well, because it’s things like that which make me lose just a little bit of faith in the human race. We’re a disappointing bunch sometimes, aren’t we?

Initially, the intentions of this post were to discuss hidden, unearned white privilege, but the direction it took is not one I apologize for, nor one I intend to edit. These aren’t my thoughts; this is hard, cold truth.

And that is exactly what worries me.

If you liked that jazz. . .check out some of these:

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Andreas Brepohl

stupid article……like a twelve year old who discovers that the world is not perfect…”rebelling against mediocrity”…welcome to puberty.
http://www.pursueyourlife.com Kashanti

I was checking out the blog. Had to read this post. had to just stop and say the notion of white privilege does not exist to the degree that many think. There is very little “privilege” for you if you are white and living in a trailer park. In fact, if you are white, poor, and from a trailer and on your way to college, I can guarantee that a affluent, black with a family full of money is likely to get the scholarship money you need, even if you are more qualified and more needy.

As a black man I can tell you that the major stumbling block for blacks today is not racism. But this insistent need to see themselves as victims, and the chip many have on their shoulders that says, “whites owe me.”
wes

The sad thing is that you don't realize just how wrong you are.

How many white James Byrds do you think there are every year without so much of a peep from the media?

The quote 'white men can't jump' itself is an indication of the racism that white males have to endure every day by the sports media(notice how it doesn't talk about white women or Asian people who can't jump any better), which means if you are black then you can automatically play basketball better than a white person(black privilege).

Also by claiming racism is the same as white supremacy, you are also giving black people the privilege to be as racist and discriminatory as they want because in most people's minds the KKK symbolizes racism while the New Black panthers symbolizes your every day friendly socialists that just want to kill white people because of all the suffering they supposedly went through.

What about channels like VH1 that have shows where black musical superiority is thought to be a given and somehow white people automatically can't keep rhythm or 'don't have soul'?

Don't even get me started on the new sexual stereotypes that white men now face without so much as a chance to prove anyone wrong(I have had this happen to me, so I imagine it is extremely common if a non social person can experience this)

To talk about white privilege in a clearly anti white world that tramples any white person who dares to demand that they should be treated equally, is mindless.
http://www.o-copy.com/blog Kathleen O'Connor

I acknowledge the existence of white privilege. I know white people feel like they are under attack when they hear it, so they get defensive. But understanding and accepting white privilege is simply an exercise in awareness.

I remember reading a little article written by Quest Love of the Roots. He talked about how as a big black man, just about every time he flies, he gets strip searched and interrogated. That's just the territory that comes with being a big black man at an airport. So, there's one example of white privilege for you. You can fly without getting harassed.

TMFproject

@Kathleen O'Connor

Thank you so much for making the point I was hoping to make, in a much more succinct, eloquent manner. This is precisely what I was getting at.

I intended it as an exercise in awareness, as you've said, and I think that thinking critically about the realities that surround us (versus just our own reality) is crucial for growth.

Thank you for this. I appreciate you taking the time to comment.

http://www.facebook.com/lindsay.g.wood Lindsay Grace Kreis

I recently discovered you blog, and I love it! Just the name was enough, and made me wonder, “Why haven't I thought of that”? Haha! In the wild, animals ignore albinos. They are cast out. Just a thought. I think it's just human nature to fight… Whether it's religious beliefs, color, language or just where you live. Instinctively, it keeps us active and gives us something to do What I have always been confused about are that most racists(excuse me, some racists) are very religious. Say what?! Yeah, most religions not so gently urge you to LOVE everyone. How can people be so blind? It's so very hypocritical. I don't claim to have any religion at all, and yet, I find I live more like Jesus than anyone I know. There can be no good without bad… So… I don't know. We should just embrace not only our own differences, but those of others. I think it would be very boring if everyone was brown As for Band-Aids? I think they're nude to show less dirt.

TMFproject

@Grace Face

What interesting points you make here! I wasn't aware of what you had mentioned here with albinos–fascinating. Religion, on the other hand, is a tricky subject–while I think that most stereotypically “religious” persons genuinely mean well, there is an unspoken (or sometimes spoken) marginalization that naturally evolves with the group-think mentality. Whether or not that's something that can ever be avoided is up for debate, but I think that naturally, humans form groups in order to find that sense of belonging…therefore, by marginalizing others, we're somehow reinforcing our own group, and hence our own identity, which is really bizarre because it would seem to suggest that things like racism aren't necessarily a function of other people, but rather a reflection on ourselves.

Thank you so much for stopping by with your fantastic input! Welcome to the site. Glad to have you here!

john

band-aids? seriously? you call yourself a force for social change and you call band-aids racist?
Ok,
I've read a few things on your site and I’ve decided to call you out. You are nothing but a child crying for attention, who plays the victim all the time because they don't want to take responsibility for their own actions. You’re a sexist and a racist, who believes only their own opinion matters.
I hope your site gets hacked
MarcTheEngineer

While I agree entirely that nobody should be discriminated against on the basis of their race – I think it is PC bullshit to say that the only difference between races is the amount of “amino acid alanine” in their skin.

Saying that is like saying the only difference between a man and a woman is their genitals. (It's not… it will be a very long time before the average man is not physically stronger than the average woman… science has unequivocally proven that men make more testosterone and testosterone makes you physically stronger)

It just simply isn't the case – The reason there are races are because in different parts of the world humans evolved differently due to different selection pressure. It is biology and it is pretty limited to think the only selective pressure differences between Africa and Europe was the amount of sunlight.

A couple of examples -
Asians never had selective pressure to be tolerant of lactose and alcohol and in general they are significantly less tolerant of lactose and alcohol.
Tibetans have selective pressure to be tolerant of high altitudes = When a Tibetan breaths their blood absorbs more oxygen than the average human.
Native American's are FAR more likely to develop alcohol addiction – They are more likely to have the gene combination which creates a predisposition towards alcoholism. Native Americans never had a selective pressure against acquiring that gene because they didn't traditionally drink alcohol. Europeans had selective pressure against it because they did an alcoholics were less likely to have successful offspring than non-alcoholics.

Look at football/basketball – Black people greatly outnumber white people in positions like running back or receiver (white people are far more likely to be offensive linemen) at the elite level. Considering the stakes at the elite level why would that be the case OTHER than because for whatever reason black people experiences stronger selective pressures towards athleticism than europeans? (I would argue that the selective pressure has something to do with agriculture).
Is it that hard to imagine that the type of agriculture possible in Europe was different than in Africa – and that those differences meant that the fastest Africans had the greatest likelyhood of reproductive success whereas in Europe speed didn't make you more likely to reproduce?

I'm not saying that all differences except skin are genetic, that would be ignorant of me… to say all differences except skin are cultural is equally ignorant in my opinion.

One last note – Red heads have a higher tolerance to pain on average – their bodies produce more endorphins than people with other hair colors.

TMFproject

@marctheengineer
Nice examples (and if you like evolutionary psychology etc. You should check out andrew macpherson at rulesoptional.com),and while its interesting to note all of that, the point here is that we're all humans. That's it.

Sent from a Blackberry

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mskarenau

I would disagree that skin colour is the same as hair colour for the following reasons (I mean, aside from the obvious, right Ambirge?):

Skin colour is very closely tied to a person's CULTURE. I'm yellow, and it's only natural to assume that I will uphold certain beliefs and traditions of my fellow yellows – aka, Asians, specifically, folks from Hong Kong, specifically, Chinese Canadians. I will be the first to say that there is nothing wrong with making that assumption, because chances are, I grew up in a Chinese family that taught me certain values that are aligned with cultural values and behavioral patterns from Hong Kong. So really, I don't mind people making those assumptions, as long as those who assumed as such are willing to be open-minded enough to get to know me, really and truly.. because we're all unique, right?

We're all human and categorize our surroundings arbitrarily so that we can come to understand our environment. We place structure where there is no structure; otherwise, our mind would be cluttered and chaotic. Labels, etc. – they all serve a purpose. But just as you attempt to do with this blog, it is up to us as intelligent human beings to break through and SEE the arbitrary labels that we have placed in an attempt to understand our surroundings. These categories are not set in stone, and can be rewritten at any moment. As long as people begin to grow in consciousness, enough so that they see this, we'll be okay.

mskarenau

Well, I'm a bit of an idiot. I clicked reply all over the place. Feel free to delete this comment. Or not. And just laugh at me.

stevenponec

Many comments on here are VERY long, because people have a lot to say. I really respect that.
I honestly have nothing to say, BECAUSE I am so horrified about James Byrd Jr.
The sad thing is, as you said, that we are all guilty of having semi-racist thoughts occasionally. Someone I knew even made a comment about a new car being driven by a black person purchased with drug money.
But it honestly drives me crazy. Especially when people are STILL holding on to racist comments about asian people, which I thought was over after WWII. I guess not…
Thanks for this post Ashley. That whole bandaid thing got me COMPLETELY hooked.
TMFproject

Everyone–

I want to thank you for all of your thoughtful comments here. Because of the heaviness of the topic, responding to each one in depth is a time consuming process and I'd probably never be able to write anything else in the meantime. That said, I'll be sure to respond to you all, but would encourage you to engage in conversations with one another. Opening dialogue is what this is all about.

Thanks for your interaction here. You guys are what make blogging such a cool thing.

Ashley
http://www.briangerald.com Brian Gerald

So happy to see this post. I think it's especially important for me as a white male who is self-employed and can be seen as part of the “location independent / lifestyle design / challenging authority / rethinknig the status quo” movement to have a clear understanding of how my own privileges (white, male, American citizen, gender conforming, college educated, from an upper middle class family) have greatly aided me in my journey through life.

I'm glad you're shining light on this, even if it is uncomfortable for us to hear.
Tony Slater

And as for wanting 'compensation' for being made black – no-one wants to be 'made' into something they're not! Changing a person's racial identity would make most people unhappy, I think! What compensation did the black guys expect in the event of them being 'made' white? Did anyone even bother to research that? I bet most of them would have mirrored their counterpart's feelings on the matter.
Tony

mskarenau

That's a very good point. I do indeed wonder. I'd definitely want monetary compensation if someone changed my physical appearance without my consent!!!

Tony Slater

I have to make myself unpopular here, by disagreeing with some of the key points of this post.
Yes there is racism – and yes it's bad – like all other human rights violations.
But actively seeking racism in places it doesn't exist is another problem. In a society which is far too concerned with being PC at every turn, the last thing we need is people trying to make something out of nothing. Take the band aid example – well praised in other comments – which I thought to be an example of the worst kind of this thinking. A band-aid's color is racist? ARE YOU KIDDING? It was designed to fulfill a specific niche, in a bygone era, when it was perfectly appropriate. It is no more racist than a paperclip. If you look hard enough for something you'll find it even where it isn't. I wear odd socks. Is it a dis aimed at ethnic minorities so poor they have to mix and match their clothing? Or is that ridiculous? Maybe they just came out of the drawer that way… It's this kind of ridiculous over-compensating political correctness that causes governments to feel compelled to waste time and money passing crazy laws, all to placate those that think this way. Example: Blackboards in schools in the UK, outlawed because they're racist. COME ON!? It's a board. It's black. Are they going to outlaw wearing black jeans next? Or will it still be allowed, but they have to be referred to in a carefully regulated manner so as to avoid accusations of racism? Seriously people. Yes, there are still racists in this day and age – a shocking situation for sure. There are still murderers and rapists too. THEY are the bad guys. You and me, and the poor designers of band aids? These are NOT racists. And trying to over analyze every aspect of a culture in the hope of discerning some as-yet overlooked seed of potential racism does more harm than good. It helps to stir up any negative sentiments that do exist in both groups – minorities and none minorities and achieves…? What exactly? A court injunction for racism against band aid, costing millions and resulting in them being forced to create 123 additional colors to supplement their range and match every skin tone out there? Or are YOU going to be the person who chooses which 5 colors they make band-aids in next? No matter what you do, you'll end up upsetting whoever was left out of the equation! I bought a pair of jeans in Ecuador. They were the biggest size, but way too small for me – a slim westerner. Did I cry out “Racists! How dare you not stock appropriate sizes for your cousins from across the water. Just because you don't see many caucasians here, isn't an excuse to not cater to us as well! I'm gonna take this matter to the authorities…”
Sorry for being so verbose, but this is something I feel as passionately about as you feel about your points. To sum up: We all know racism is bad. Try to foster peace and understanding between those of different cultures and colors, not start a witch hunt which can achieve, what? Prove to good people that they are all subconscious racists, due to circumstances inconceivable to them, just by living their daily lives? G-reat. Score one for democracy and equality there.

mskarenau

I think Ashley's point is to emphasize the institutionalized racism that our society's complacency has allowed to occur (isn't her entire blog based around this premise?). The BandAid example is just one minor one amidst many. Even in the 1920s when they were first introduced to the market, North America was already diverse (how many black Africans were shipped over as slaves and fled to Canada? How many Native Americans were shoved and raped of their land? How many Chinese were lured over to Canada to build the Canadian railway?), yet only the lighter colour tone for BandAids were available, as though the prototypical person “should be” white.

And this is the issue that I think Ash is trying to get across: the “prototypical person”. I'm myself Canadian Chinese, and by no stretch of the imagination would my physique be considered the “prototypical person” here, even though Toronto's got an enormous population of Asian immigrants. We're still seen as “the immigrants”, and are “minoritized”. Heck, just think about the “I Am Canadian” commercial for Molson Canadian beer! (Do you guys get that imported?) – Check it out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRI-A3vakVg

I don't call a couch a “chesterfield”. I don't watch hockey. I don't love the beaver. I don't wear flannel. I'm not white.

Another example of unintentional discrimination comes from a comment I heard at work a month ago. One of the “prototypical” Canadian teachers said, “I simply cannot imagine any family not watching the Olypmics”.

She wasn't intentionally being discriminatory, but by her ignorant comment alone, she has marginalized: (1) new immigrants who don't care that the Olympics are being held in Canada, (2) folks who do not have cable TV, (3) people who cannot AFFORD a television set, (4) people who don't live in a happy enough home to sit down together and watch TV in the evenings.

The problem in this case isn't racial – it's ignorance of other cultures, period.

Anyway, I don't think Ashley is pointing out the intentional racism at all. The BandAids, the Olympics comment – it's hard for people to consider them racist because we're conditioned to believe that racism is intentional. But that's not it. It's now dealing with the unintentional racism – dealing with the privileged white folk who do not comprehend their immediate privileges, dealing with institutions that run in a way that creates racist results unintentionally, dealing with things like how people don't appear to understand how the Discovery Channel's “I Love the Whole World” is culturally catered primarily to Euro-Americans.

Granted, I'll be the first to point out that, if I were with a group of Zimbabweans, I'd consider myself “the Asian chick”. It's just easiest to identify me that way. But judge my character, conclude that you like or dislike me based on my Asianness, exclude me, and I'll kung-pow you back to Hong Kong.

That's right. I SAID IT.

http://www.blogcastfm.com Srinivas Rao

Yet another work of pure genius . I always look forward to what you have to say because it always is thought provoking. I'm Indian so I have plenty to say on this one. As Indian comedian Russel Peters said, “in 100 years there are going to be no more white people. We'll all just be one shade of beige. So white people, you can run from us now, but we're gonnna fu#$# you eventually”. All joking aside, you've brought up some really important points. I live in California which is the ultimate melting pot, and here I think it's a safe bet to say that white people are minorities. But, what's amazing is that there are towns that you can go to, (I'm talking upper-middle class/populated with every educated people) type of towns where you almost feel it when you are walking down the street. People wonder if you should actually be there. Another strange thing is how ethno-centric we are and part of it is probably due to racism. I've been in many melting pots in my life, Berkeley being the biggest one. Yet, if you go to Berkeley (aka liberal, open-minded hippie paradise) you'll see something really interesting: Massive amounts of Indian people hanging out with other Indians (a 1000 member Indian Student Union), a Chinese Student Club with the same sort of behavior. It's strange to to think a place with that diverse a student population could end up like that. Maybe the underlying root of all of it is that we are still judgmental and racist even if it is to a tiny degree. When I graduated from BErkeley 10 years ago one of my most horrifying moments was hanging out with this girl I had met. She had forgotten her ID and asked if I could call any one for a fake. I turned to her and said “jeez, this is going to sound bad, but I don't know any white people after 4 years of being here.” At that point I knew that something was wrong. I wasn't racist, but somehow I found myself in that position. Ever since then I've been very conscious to have a diverse group of friends. My most recent b-day party probably looked like a united colors of benetton commercial.

I've lived in 6 different countries in my life. Brazil is probably the most diverse of all those countries. It's history is of people of different cultures mixing together. But, racism still runs rampant there after several hundred years. There's definitely a stereotype that goes along with being white. In Brazil, if you are white you are rich. If you are a black guy driving a Porsche, you will get pulled over by the cops constantly.

How long this ignorance will pervade our culture and society, who knows. But with more people in the world supporting the kind of thinking you are talking about, the better off we'll be as a society. Keep up what you're doing here. Make sure you invite me to your Nobel Prize dinner when you win it. I”ll say “dude I knew her when she was just a blogger”

katiekasz

Dear Srinivas,
Please be sure Ashley invites me to her Nobel Prize dinner, also. If you bring your friends, I bring mine and Ashley calls all her peeps, it will be a party United Colors of Benetton will have to film for a commercial.
Thanks,
Katie.

And, ps, thank you for discussing the trend we as humans have to stick to our 'likes,' especially on college campuses. I noticed that quite a bit during the college years, but always loved events like the International Dinner which consisted of *everyone* from *everywhere* making a buffet-style meal and sharing with *everyone* from *everywhere* …Good times! It's just a shame people don't reach out like that towards one another on a more regular basis.

lovewiththeworld

Ash, what a fantastic post with some great dialogue going on here.

Your point about turning a blind eye toward racism and ignoring the fact that it does exist even in modern day society is valid and one of the many that not enough people raise their voices against.

While the difference in skin color is one of the most obvious, racism is everywhere. Why don’t all states allow same-sex marriages? Why are there still reports of swastikas being spray painted on synagogues? Why don’t all children have the privilege of going to an adequate school?

I absolutely LOVED the Band-Aid analogy you used (though I’m still the Crayola crayon Band-Aid kind of girl) and you’re right. It’s time to wake up to the fact that everyone — regardless of race — bleeds the same color and feels the same pains.
michelenicholls

All I can say is, 'Thank you for the wake-up call', I thought i was pretty ok on the racist issue, now I realise I'm just another complacent idiot. The subtlties of such things as the colour of Elastoplast ( I'm British!) had completely passed me by.

Things are different in the UK from the US, and there is much prejudice here against white immigrants, too (particularly those from Eastern Europe, who are accused of 'stealing British jobs' i.e. they work much harder & are willing to do so for much less pay!) It's quite an issue in the current run-up to the General Election, with our own fascists, the BNP, flaunting their ignorance ;o(

Keep challenging my preconceptions, please, Ash, it keeps me from senility!
jeff

i am racist, i hate all races
katiekasz

Racism is a tough topic. ALWAYS. NO. MATTER. WHAT! People's opinions and views of it always differ regardless of which races and ethnic backgrounds are being discussed.

As you've said, unfortunately racism does exist. From all angles. All colors. All shapes. All sizes. All backgrounds. It seems though, that racism is one's beliefs most often based from stereotypes, a misunderstanding coupled with an unaccepting mindset and a fear of something different.

I think your point about pretending racism doesn't exist is very valid–and is one of many issues that as a society we brush under the carpet in our attempt to mask its existence. Truth is, the more we press the issue of something's NONexistence, the more PREVALENT it actually is. I think it happens on the most obvious level but also presents itself in the most obscure ways–but no one really knows why.

And I think WHY is the biggest question surrounding the entire issue. Why did Hitler do what he did? Why did Europeans override all the natives in what we now call 'the Americas?' And really, why do we have to give college scholarships based on race instead of academic history and ability in fear of having more of one racial/ethnic group in a university? And hey, if we live in a world where racism no longer exists–why does the government ask for race to be identified on the census? If racism didn't exist, it wouldn't matter who the majority and minorities were, would it?

Fo' rizzo manizzo!!! Why can't we all just get along?!?!

Maybe it is a case of history repeating itself and a natural instinct for man to want to feel superior to his counterparts in order to survive (i.e. Sir Charles Darwin's findings), or maybe it exists in our minds so we have something to talk discuss with our neighbors (i.e. drama), or perhaps so we can name and classify (i.e. the favorite past-time of us, the human race).

But really, I think the biggest WHY question we can ask is: Why can't we ignore all those things for one second and live in harmony. Maybe then we could, as a species, get some serious shit done. Maybe one day all the misconceptions about other races, genders, colors, shapes etc., wouldn't racism disappear–thus leaving us with a world full of people who no longer judge and instead are accepting of others because they have finally realized we all have the same basic needs, we all breathe the same air, and all bleed blood that's blue until exposed to oxygen which makes it appear red.

And when the Band-Aid company realizes that all humans bleed blood and need something to help the pressure-to-allow-clotting-factor along, maybe their next realization is that the people of the world deserve equality in something like band-aid selection. The company's solution: an array of fabric colors on their glorious life saving strips, of course!

On that day, I'll be a happy girl.

Until then, I'm going to on rockin' the Power Ranger and Barbie designed Band-Aids. They're way cooler anyway. And heck, don't get me started on glow-in-the-dark Band-Aids. A-freaking-mazing!

mskarenau

BandAid actually tried to market a darker shade of strips, but MAN were they ever ridiculed for producing “nonsense”. They stopped after a summer of efforts.

This was back when I was in high school, early 2000s should be. Everyone thought they were being too PC and putting a “BandAid” on the issue of racism. Although now that I look back, we've gotta start the fight somewhere, right?

http://www.facebook.com/people/Sandy-Rizzo/596213612 Sandy Rizzo

Thanks for making me ponder things I have not thought about before.
http://nifermusings.blogspot.com Jen

Great post lady! I never, ever thought about the color of Band-Aids (or adhesive strips) and how they were targeted toward Caucasians! Unbelievable.

I'll admit, I think a certain level of racism was passed down to me from my grandparents, and even my parents to an extent. But, in the past few years, I've moved past that. I am fortunate to work in a diverse company where I've realized, I've stopped seeing the difference in color. My colleagues are just that, my colleagues… and my friends.

I really hope this whole perspective changes some day, and we won't need posts like this anymore.
http://experimentsinpassiveincome.com Moon Hussain

Ashley, superb post and very disturbing piece at the end. I notice racism around me way too damn much. Not just notice, I have become “aware”. I guess it's uncomfortable to be in a crowd of all white peeps when I'm the only brown (terrorist brown, I suppose?) in a room.

I don't know where to go with it all, I wish people weren't this way. I keep remembering American History X, the one powerful scene in the beginning.

Keep out churning the awesome stuff. You kick ass.
jonathanhyland

Wonderful article, Ash. Poignant and so very true – racism is one of the horrible demons that remains in the human psyche even after so many thousands of years.

Your post actually reminded me of something that happened to me a couple years back. I was out clubbing in NYC, and my friends and I grabbed a cab with a stranger in the front. Said stranger was from a state south of the Mason-Dixon line, and one of my friends engaged him in conversation. As it progressed, he admitted that one of the things he didn't like so much about NYC was “that there were too many gays.” It being late and me being tired, I declined to get into that particular argument.

My friend, a girl, not so much. She told the guy she was a lesbian (not true, actually) and she really made the guy looks like a complete ass. Apparently, lesbians were okay with the guy, just not gay men. Two women tongue-wrestling and touching themselves was perfectly normal, enjoyable behavior; to Hell with the two men who'd like to do the same.

*rolls eyes* Men.
jprichter

Really appreciated this article.

I've talked to people about the subtle advantages of being a tall white male. No problems at airports, no funny looks out of the corner of the eye, and your chances of being given the cold shoulder when striking up a conversation with a stranger are far fewer.

But it's ridiculous.
WickedKittenz

Born in South Africa, i grew up with Apartheid.
If our president was not black. I would fall under a category of “Female” not equal to “MALE”

This is a cycle of … you are not as good as me BS …. not matter race, gender. Bow Down inferior.
Sure i'l bow down.. after i stick my foot up ur A$$. Fly the bird, put my head back and laugh. WA KA KA KA
(rebel baby rebel)

Im glad i live in a culture of mixed race, It is frustrating sometimes when we dont understand.
But exciting none the less.

If you have any doubts or want to learn more about a nation.. you will always find a song that penatrates the hearts of the people that stay there and it is a GOOD song in its own right.

My favorite african song. Johnny Clegg, Scattelings of Africa.
http://www.renegadeyogi.com/ Eric Normand

Ashley, you are quite right about racism. This is what is called “white supremacy”. It is not just the KKK and Nazis. It's the fact that white culture dominates this country and many others, with all of its values, assumptions, and prejudices.

Thanks for bringing it up. With all of the “political correctness” surrounding racism, it's almost impossible to hear people talking about it. That only sends the issue deeper into the unconscious.

I lived in Guinea, West Africa, for a couple of years. I was shocked by the “casual racism” that I encountered, often for my own benefit. Guineans in my village value being kind to foreigners, and their kindness often took the form of a statement like “white people are smarter than black people”. That sent shivers down my spine every time. It was more than the shock of hearing something that was untrue. It was slimy simply because of how trained we are to reject any overt racism. But it was just a meaningless remark!

I guess I don't really have a point. The fact is that white culture still has the power in this world, and it will fight to keep it, unless people free their minds. Kudos for freeing yourself of crappy thinking like skin color being significant for anything besides absorption of sunlight.
Russell

I demand clear Band Aids, like Scotch tape, but Band Aids.

TMFproject

@Russell
I'm digging the clear, myself.

David Grove

As a white dude born in africa, my experience is that it is not the difference in skin colour that is the problem, but the difference in “culture” or social orientation. A big part of the problem is that black Africans have been stripped of their culture and partially westernised . If white men never brought their “status quo” and all it's crap in to Africa it would be a phenominal place where people would live in total harmony with nature, instead of destroying the earth in the name of progress. The ancient and wise traditions of Africa have been destroyed leaving leaving its people vulnerable and open to corruption. Many where “sold” to the USA as slaves with the same disadvantage.

The Western or European way of life may appear advanced or progressive in some ways but in others it is very toxic, the same applies to African culture. So for me the answer is to reject the status quo of all culture – just take what works from each different culture – mix them all together and make your own.

TMFproject

@DavidGrove
Really interesting perspective here. I imagine that racism and prejudice manifests itself differently in different places. What you've said here about Western way of life being perceived as “the right way”–not only by those living there, but by others as well–is true, and unfortunate. The perception seems to come hand and hand with money & power, but I truly wish we could all learn to see the value in preserving cultural differences–that's the beauty of the world. By homogenizing it–intentionally or not–we're making the world a much more narrow place. And that scares me. A lot of it has to do with the globalization of English as well. I've had this debate in the past–is the spread of English a positive thing for its ability to connect us, or a negative thing because of the imperialism that comes with it?

Thanks for your thoughts here, David.

http://nathanhangen.com/blog Nathan Hangen

hmmm, I'm frustrated by this post, mostly because it seems cool to bash white people these days, regardless of whether they are racist white people or not.

This type of writing on furthers the gap/separation that exists within people's minds.

Racism exists not just because of color, but because of cultural differences and misunderstandings. I'm not sure it will ever go away, and even if we ban the symptoms, it will do little more than create more hatred.

I'm of the belief that things are best left out in the open, so we know where people stand. I'm not condoning racism, but instead of bringing white people down, why not bring others up?

TMFproject

@Nathan
Point well taken regarding the possibility of widening the gap by illustrating it, but with all respect, might that be like saying that we shouldn't talk about other important social issues, like the common misperception of homelessness, in fear that we'll further perpetuate the mentality?

Above all, I'm simply in favor of awareness. There are many things that we could be doing day in and out that we aren't even cognizant of, that might be doing harm in different ways. Writing seems to be a good platform to increase awareness, and as you said, things are best left out in the open. Here they are.

That said, I'm such a white person. I don't mean to bash white people, because the initial point of the post was that much privilege isn't earned, it simply exists. I just wanted to point it out. Though, I like what you've said here: “Instead of bringing white people down, why not bring others up?” Perhaps I should start featuring a different culture on a regular basis. I like that.

Thanks for the comment, Nate. Good to discuss these things.

http://nathanhangen.com/blog Nathan Hangen

But don't you think that you're throwing white people (men especially because of the title) under the bus in this instance? I was born white, I can't change that, but you're close to implying that I should feel bad about that.

I understand where you are coming from, and I won't argue against talking about perceived injustices, I was just slightly offended by the nature of the post.

Anywho…that's why I'm such a strong advocate of entrepreneurship, because it gives us the power to make change.

David Grove

Get over it bud, real “white men” should have the balls to handle a little bit of criticism, after all, as a group we have earned it so step away from the herd and make a difference.

http://nathanhangen.com/blog Nathan Hangen

lol, congratulations, you've posted the most ridiculous comment I've seen today. If you knew anything about me, you'd know that is what I'm already doing.

You and I are not in the same group at all.

Would you call Self-Effacement making a difference?
David Grove

If one was a nazi-racist-type then Self Effacement would be great.
I am not afraid to take an honest look at myself and the world around me – if I see weaknesses I'm going to do what I can to make a difference.
Constructive analysis leads to improvement not effacement and its not all about Self.

By the way, bro, despite our different “groups” we are all connected, what I breathe out you breathe in and vice versa, we need to move beyond gang mentality
http://nathanhangen.com/blog Nathan Hangen

You are the one that said “we, as a group,” which I take to mean that you think white people deserve criticism. Had I a choice, I wouldn't breath your air because it's toxic.

Try lifting people up instead of bringing yours down.
TMFproject

Easy boys.
http://nathanhangen.com/blog Nathan Hangen

Sorry, not trying to be an ass, but #1 – I don't like being called “bro,” and #2 I'm tired of people trying to tell me I should feel guilty for being white.

David says we're a group, but that we should think beyond groups. I don't get it.

I agree that we should all be thinking as one, but the world just isn't ready for that, and as long as we propagate the race stereotypes, then we'll never move beyond this wall, which is exactly what it is.

Racism is a wall created to protect people from what they fear or don't understand. As long as people don't jump the wall, then for the most part, things remain fine. The problem occurs when you try to knock down someone's wall and they aren't ready for it. The initial response is aggression and animosity, which is normal.

There are always going to be groups because that's how we relate to the world…it gives us perspective and a place to call home. Wildebeests hang with others like them, just as Elephants hang out with other Elephants. I don't think there's anything wrong with that.

In my opinion, the problem lies at the top. The government creates dividers because it's easier to manage the people. It's all about balance. This is why the NAACP is “OK,” but the NAAWP is racist.

Eventually, this will either shift to the opposite side of the scale, or someone brave enough will step up to rally people not towards forced acceptance, but to understanding.

By the way, I know your post didn't go here, and I'm not labeling you as the problem…I'm just making my full case so I can finally say my peace and walk away.

Have a happy Thursday!

TMFproject

@Nathan
I'm not saying that it's intentional at all. Just a product of our reality as it is. And just something I found worth noting. The other thought I had was this: Biologically, we vary far more in our genes and DNA from person to person, than we do in skin color, but those differences aren't discriminated against. There does seem to be something in particular about color.

I'll look into Outliers. Have not read it, actually.

http://nathanhangen.com/blog Nathan Hangen

Oh, and one last thought…If you read Outliers you'll remember the strange trend that being lighter colors of any race has its merits…food for thought.

http://www.owlsparks.com/ Carlos Miceli

I'll do a follow-up post on this. While the message that you're trying to send is positive, I think many, many clarifications must be said about this.

TMFproject

@Carlos
Can't wait. Would love if you'd post a link here in the comments section thereafter.
http://twitter.com/Mneiae Caroline L

I absolutely agree that there should be a little clarification on this topic. Racism is bad, but that doesn't mean that all the Band-aids MUST be clear. (For one thing, “nude” is an actual color, unlike “flesh-toned.” Foundations and bras come in that shade.)

@Russell Clear ones already exist. I honestly think that within the next 10 years, Band-aids will no longer be “flesh-colored” but clear, just to avoid any problems.

TMFproject

@CarolineL
Get what you're saying, but doesn't “nude” mean naked which means the color of one's naked skin? In which case, it's inevitably a white person's skin. That applies to bras as well. Know what I mean?

http://www.jcphitchcock.com Joshua

Love it Ash. I have seen the first hand effects of both white privilege and racism – I am part Maori, part Pakeha (white person) living in New Zealand. I have at times been subjected to preferential treatment because I am white, yet at the same time subject to racism because I am Maori. The thing is, there will always be people in this world who are racist – for those of us subject to it we cannot stop fighting to right the injustices caused by racist tendencies. What does need to be noted, however, is that white people are not the only racists – I have seen and heard racist comments from Maori, pacific islanders, chinese, japanese etc … it is part of the human condition – people seem to be afraid of 'difference', when instead difference is something that should be celebrated

TMFproject

@Joshua
Excellent, excellent comment, Joshua. Thanks so much for taking the time to post it. You might be right about it being a part of the human condition, which leads me to think that it's a function of human insecurity. I was speaking from my vantage point here in the U.S., and since I'm white, those are the type of racist comments I tend to be privy to. Would be interesting to hear the other side of the spectrum, though.

And hell yeah. I love difference.

http://www.reachourdreams.com Jen

Wow Ash! What a wonderful, sad and thought provoking post at the same time. Whenever people make racist comments I remind them I am an immigrant. My parents are Irish and they met in the UK. Exactly as you say – because I'm white and 'look and sound the same' I'm 'ok' … it's just fucked up! I just felt sick reading about James Byrd Jnr … it is mind bloggling to think of what us humans are capable of …. well done on calling out an issue that really needs to change. We need to become colour blind and really remember we are all the same.

TMFproject

@Jen
Wow. What an interesting perspective YOU have, being an unnoticed immigrant. That's fascinating. And as for the James Byrd Jr. stuff? That happened years and years ago, but I still find myself thinking about it from time to time. I'm shocked at what humans are capable of, as you've pointed out. Beyond all of the ethical considerations, don't these people have anything better to do?

Thanks for your lovely sunshine this morning, Jen! Appreciate you making the point you did.

mskarenau

My boyfriend is half Australian/half French Canadian, but culturally Zimbabwean, as he lived in Zimbabwe until he was 18.. yet everyone around us accepts him as more Canadian than I am – me being a Chinese Canadian born and raised in Canada. And that is simply by virtue of our physique. He looks more “prototypically Canadian” than I do.

Interesting how things work.

Mind you, as soon as Ian opens his mouth, he's deemed as “that foreign boy” because he has a sexy South African accent. Again, interesting how things work.

http://rulesoptional.com Andrew MacPherson

Project Implicit at Harvard is by far the coolest/best bias test I've seen. Not only is there a race/skin-tone test, there's also gender, religion, weight, age, etc. You have to do an email registration, but it's totally worth it.

Project Implicit

I can't find the data right now to reinforce this point, but I've seen numbers indicating that those within the groups typically biased against often tend to share the same biases… despite being in-group. That has some interesting implications as well.

TMFproject

@Andrew
You're just full of resources! Yes. Thanks for posting this. Will absolutely be checking out.

http://instigationology.com/ andi norris

Glad Andrew posted this, I was thinking this through your whole post.

Perhaps my experience with racism is different, but I haven't found many people that deny it exists. In fact, most people I talk to are well aware of it's ingrained presence. I agree with much of what what said in earlier comments, it's not just about skin color, frequently it also pertains to cultural beliefs and standards of living as well. This certainly doesn't excuse the injustice or prejudice, but it is a much broader topic that you've only begun to touch on.

When I did a lot of theater, there was this constant discussion of 'colorblind casting' – the idea that you would cast a show disregarding the playwright's intentions of race and the ethnicity of the actors auditioning. I think this is bullshit. You can't overcome the prejudice of racism by pretending you don't see the differences, whether they are skin tones or beliefs. The audience isn't colorblind, even if you pretend you are in casting. You're making a point. By all means cast the best actor for the role! But know that you're making a statement when you do. And it could be a very powerful one.

My point is that I don't think ignoring race differences or pretending that we are all equal (in the sense that we're the same) is going to do anything but promote racism. People are going to see it whether or not you acknowledge it. And they should see it. We're all different. I think the response to prejudice lies somewhere closer to teaching people to take on a more open position of celebrating (in the sense of acknowledging without fear or hatred, you don't have to throw a party, but that's cool, too) what works for different people, what makes each culture unique, what beliefs, standards, and such have helped that person develop into the person they are.

But maybe we can just start with getting rid of the fear. I don't have the statistics to back this up, but I wonder sometimes if reminding us white folk that the minorities in the US are quickly becoming the majority isn't inspiring more fear. Not that it shouldn't be said or that it isn't true (I think it already is true in LA) but the fear that we will lose 'our place at the top' (however imagined that may actually be) should probably also be addressed (and probably unveiled as fantasy).

TMFproject

@Andi
Want to draw attention to a really salient point you made here right at the end, about many of us white folks getting even more scared about the fact that we're fast & furiously becoming a minority. It still kills me that we're all immigrants in one form of another, but because our skin is lighter we hold dominance. It's so entirely arbitrary.

Loved your theatre example as well. As always, terrific insight from you, Ms. Norris.

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