WHITE PRIVILEGE...I DO NOT like this term. And I've heard it from blacks who believe in God. They say that by the mere fact that I am born white I am privileged. I had nothing to do with the fact that I was born of white parents. In fact, I was described by someone in my young adult life as having porcelain skin. I really didn't like that and I worked hard to get tan.
So back to white privilege - Do I blame God for my "white privilege"? ...and to further confuse this issue for me, I am told that being poor as a white person has no comparison to being poor as a black person. It just doesn't count when it comes to the subject of race/racism/privilege. This term makes me feel defensive about something I have NO control over.
Someone I know and respect was trying to deal with the term "privilege" in a televised trio discussion regarding racism. He mis-spoke and somehow used the term blessing instead of privilege. All hell broke loose and ugly, ugly statements were cast at him. In an attempt to support him when he apologized publicly, I was called hateful things and told I would go to hell, etc. I am not the only one who does not like to term WHITE PRIVILEGE but find it nearly impossible to discuss.
So, question...if I am accused of being a racist...does that mean ALL races? My husband and I have been members of a church that is about 70% Asian; we had a couple get married in our back yard and she is Mexican, one of my dearest friends in our church is German; we've had several couples from India stay in our guest house. When I try to say I respect blacks and see them as a human (examples - worshiped in an all black church, had a black man on the staff of my church, had black people visit and eat in our home, had black people from Africa stay in our guest house) basically I am told these example of relating to and caring for blacks don't count and that I am still a racist.
I am 75 years old and my getting out into the world of humanity is limited. So, I read, listen to music and watch TV. Discussions have often been on social media (Facebook)...this has become a dangerous place to "talk". There are those who use the hidden aspect of no face-to-face, but just writing words sling their hate. It feels like those who do this have an agenda to silence others with their strong and hateful words. I recently read a long blog by a black woman with 10 suggestions for white people: part of her suggestions was to watch black shows and read black books. Remember the movie "Steel Magnolias"? The original movie was very, very all white. I later saw a remake with a total black cast. I didn't care for it...not because I am a racist. I just PREFERRED the original. At that point in time I had not learned or considered seeing life through the eyes of blacks. I have seen several black movies I liked (Why Did I Get Married and Waiting To Exhale) but these would probably not be what a black woman would have me watch - possibly too ethnic. I HATE rap music! Not because the performers are black. I love Andrea Bocelli (sings in Italian and is blind) I prefer Country and Christian songs. I REALLY like sports. Some of my favorite players are black. I especially like baseball and in basketball most of the players are black. I have one golfer I admire - Tiger Woods---not because he is black, but because he is amazing. All of this said, I feel like I can't like or dislike what I want without having others see it through the colors of race. Something I recently heard and I'm considering its meaning is that white people have a culture. I never considered that. I've always thought of the culture of other races.
Now, regarding talking to our grand children I am told that I am not supposed to say "When I look at others, I don't see color"...well gee, I do see black, brown, etc but their color doesn't matter to me. Is that better? Probably not. This is an area I want to work on - how to talk with Landon and Kyla about race issues.
I am trying to keep my heart open to learning and I recently saw a very short clip with three Christian men (2 black and 1 white) discussing the issues of racism. This was a good listening experience for me and I want to learn how to see life through the eyes of others. But here I go again with a challenging remark today about "white privilege" Basically the attitude is NO WAY can a white person understand what other minorities (blacks especially) feel about how unfair and unbalanced America is in fairness to other races (and I agree)...this reminds me of my brother Lew. Lew had a horrific disease that he lived with his ENTIRE life until he died in his 60s. The pain he lived with was unspeakable. He told me once that he wanted to drive his fist through a wall because of the pain. I was very close to him and we had a close relationship. But if I had one of my BAD headaches when he was around, he would say "I know how you feel". And, you know what I felt and what I said --- NO! You don't know how I feel! My pain is my pain and your pain is your pain. In this life we should never say to another person "I know how you feel" Although this may sound REVERSED, I feel people of color should not say "you are white privileged and can not know how it is to be of color in America" True, I can't know. But my color is not of my making/choice. I was born this way. Saying I am privileged sounds like God wanted me to be privileged over people of color. GARBAGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I don't feel privileged so even if you tell me how difficult life is for those of color, don't call me privileged. Is there anyway to get people to understand this?
COMPARISONS In discussions about race, it is my opinion that we must stop doing COMPARISONS. Example: Many say that poor whites cannot compare to poor blacks. OK. To that I say the poor of America (regardless of color) cannot compare to the poor of third world countries. No doubt this is true. But, we don't say to poor Americans "you really aren't poor because the REALLY poor live in third world countries" How thoughtless and cruel.
HISTORY: Many young people today in America want to destroy emblems of history. History ISN'T evil. History tells stories of evil and the results of evil. But History also tells stories of good.
