In response to LUCHA’s “Check your white privilege” letter, I have to say I understand the cries of indignation that arose from many ISU students as an aftermath of its publication. Where were the sources to support the claims made? Why were all of Iowa State’s Caucasian students categorized as ignorant and hateful victims of this “disease”? These are some of the issues I’ve concluded upon observation that partly explain the backlash of the article. 

However, labelling the article as “ridiculous” or “trash” is not evidence enough that white privilege is just a figment of the minority’s imagination as I’ve seen countless people brush it off as. I’ve witnessed it being termed as an “excuse” of minorities for their own problems. In fact, more white Americans view themselves as being victims of reverse racism than acknowledge the continuing presence of racism against minorities (Boatright-Horowitz et al. 698), something I believe manifests white privilege in and of itself. You want facts? Here are a few:

• “Research has shown that white men experience a performance-reward advantage in the allocation of performance bonuses. Castilla (2008) found white men received higher salary increases and bonuses compared to ethnic minorities (and women) and non-U.S.-born employees with the same performance evaluation scores, in the same job unit, with the same supervisor and the same human capital. (Nkomo and Ariss)” 

• “In a field experiment, Bertrand and Mullainathan (2004) illustrate participants’ preferences for individuals with “white” names compared to those with “African-American” names. Those applicants with what was perceived to be “white” names received 50 percent more callbacks for interviews than those with “African-American” names. Research indicates whites also have a racial advantage in terms of reemployment after job loss. Moore (2010) reported a large racial disparity in the chances of reemployment among workers with equivalent characteristics and experience (Nkomo and Ariss).”

• Upon the occurrence of a widely-covered tragedy at the hands of a white individual, questions often arise as to the whys of the incident, such as: was the perpetrator mentally ill? Were they bullied? Despite the answers to these questions, the actions of the white perpetrator are rarely ever adhered to the whole white population. This gravely contrasts to the event of a crime committed by a minority in which the perpetrator’s background is scarcely, if at all, investigated. Instead, their actions are associated with the majority of those of the same race, further breeding racial discrimination and stereotyping (Wenger).

• Etc. (There are hundreds of additional sources out there that discuss issues like these, making it difficult to understand how anyone could deny that there’s still institutional and systematic prejudice in place).

White privilege is a term used by all racial minorities, many of which are born into unfavorable/poverty-stricken circumstances, an obvious pattern that largely stems from the slavery and oppression of the past.

I can already hear objections along the lines of “Stop bringing it up!,” “Stop making everything about race!” and the most outrageous, “What happened 200 years ago doesn’t affect you.” It doesn’t? These dark patches in American history dug a rut for minorities (mostly African-Americans) from which we still have been unable to escape from.

So yes, many minorities have to work twice as hard to be successful due to poverty being all they’ve known for generations, something most Caucasians can’t relate to as a majority are born at least middle class.

It’s not just about “working hard” as I’ve seen many ignorantly — or maybe it’s just naivety — suggest. It’s about breaking the generational cycle of broken families, bad influences and doing what is deemed necessary to merely survive and/or provide for one’s family, whether that be partaking in criminal activity or dropping out of school.That is white privilege.

The term — at least when it’s spoken by most people — is not meant to ‘guilt’ white people, and please get over yourselves if that’s your belief.

Some do use it as an excuse for their laziness but there are people who fit this description in all racial groups. For you to sit there as a Caucasian and claim that it isn’t reality baffles me. Who are you to say what people have experienced and whether such prejudices transpire anymore? How would you know? That’s the thing, you wouldn’t for reason that I don’t think needs to be restated.

Now, on the other hand, I recognize that it is unfair to place blame and accusation on today’s generation. This was not you’re doing. Why should you be held responsible for the actions of your ancestors?

Yes, there are plenty of poor white people too. No, white people don’t thrive solely because of their race. We are all victims of the same thing here; minorities just happen to always get the crappy end of the stick as history proves.

It doesn’t negate the fact that Caucasians, no matter how poor, still hold the unfair advantage and power in our society by merely being just that, white.

“Well we can’t help our skin color any more than you can,” you say. Of course you can’t, We aren’t asking you to slow down for us. We aren’t asking for your sacrifice or pity. However, there are some things you can do. Please don’t dismiss or undermine our struggles, what we have fought for for years — sometimes in the wrong ways — and what we continue to fight for. Instead, stand with us. Why wouldn’t you if there is truly complete equality as so many of you (i.e. white students at ISU as well as nationwide) claim there is?

I’m aware that many of you are “tired” of hearing about this issue and our apparent, constant pulling of the “race card.” Then help us eradicate the remaining seeds of racism and injustice. Learn to recognize and act on injustices around you and outside of your own racial bubble. In time, maybe, just maybe, true equality can exist in its full capacity.

I leave you with this quote by Michael Wenger that I feel perfectly explains the recent influx of anger and protest by minorities, especially on campuses with a predominately white student body: 

The effect of racism is insidious. It’s like a worm coursing through your body. Gradually, it creeps through every cell and pore of your body, eating away at your sense of control over your life. Each incident can make you more wary, more suspicious, more agitated. You can’t believe that white people are so oblivious to the indignities you endure, and it becomes difficult to view them as friends or allies. 

Thank you for reading. 

Works Cited

Boatright-Horowitz, Su L., Savannah Frazier, Yvette Harps-Logan, and Nathanial Crockett. “Difficult Times for College Students of Color: Teaching White Students about White Privilege Provides Hope for Change.” Teaching in Higher Education 18.7 (2013): 698-708. Print.

Nkomo, Stella M., and Akram Al Ariss. “The Historical Origins of Ethnic ( White) Privilege in US Organizations.” Journal of Managerial Psychology 29.4 (2014): 389-404. Print.

Wenger, Michael R. “White Privilege.” Poverty & Race 22.4 (2013): 1-2,6-7. Print.