Why do people believe "white privilege" is a thing?

@SumKindaMunster My question for you is why you vehemently deny it before even trying to understand the other side of it. How can you know "the truth" when you're not even willing to listen to the evidence?

Unless you're simply insecure and worry about losing what's yours.

@Graylight I understand the other side. I just don't agree it is a problem that requires a response from white people and the culture at large. It strikes me as childish and an overreaction to everyday impoliteness or rudeness.

Here's a question for you.

If you weren't told of this through the media or someone on your social media feed, would you be aware of the problem? Would you think this is a problem that requires a national discussion? If you saw a POC struggling to find a band aid in their skin tone, would you think "Wow, that person is being oppressed. This isn't right."?

@SumKindaMunster I would think about it because it figures into the kind of work I do. I learned about it as part of a formal education and from vetted research, not the media.

And while I wouldn't think a person looking for the right tone of bandage (which I've seen) is "oppressed," the fact is as a white female with blond hair, it might not occur to me at all. But because it's not forefront in my mind or doesn't affect me daily doesn't make it a lesser issue.

@Graylight
Is this a convoluted way of saying you received a formalized education in some sort of social justice field? What is your degree in?


Why? Why would you insert yourself into something that has no impact on you? You also stated:
Is this really a problem then? You stated you might not even know about it if not for your education.

Or are malevolent forces in society trying to claim it is a problem, and coincidentally, provide a solution?

@SumKindaMunster I am an addictions counselor and mental health therapist. Not social justice.

Because what impacts any group of people impacts everyone in some way or another. While microaggression may not be something I'm the target of (with regard to race), it in no way means I'm not part of the issue. We all are.

I might not have learned to recognize it and understand it for what it is and its impacts if not for having studied it. It exists. It has impact. Your belief is not required.

Again, I'd wonder why you argue your point so rigorously rather than investigate and educate yourself.

@Graylight Addictions and Mental Health counseling are areas of social justice. You are exposed to people who would believe and promote the concept of white privilege quite vigorously, and I am sure you have been influenced by that.


Does it? Perhaps in a very holistic, new agey way, but no offense, if a POC feels slighted because they can't find a bandaid in their flesh tone, that has absolutely no impact on me.


That's self evident and doesn't need to be stated. But why are you so concerned about whether or not I choose to believe in this concept? If my belief is not required, what do you care if I choose to express contempt and skepticism about this concept?

Finally, why do you think I haven't investigated or educated myself on the subject? Because I don't agree with you? That's pretty presumptuous. Aren't you treating me in much the same way that POCs complain about? Making assumptions about who I am, what my education level is, and how much I choose to "investigate" about an issue? Aren't you exhibiting the same type of behavior you are so adamant is happening in society right now?

Mental health falls under behavioral health services. While there's some interaction - in some positions - with social programs, it's not social justice.

Why do I feel you haven't availed yourself of information out there regarding this issue? Because you present no logical counterpoint, no evidence to suggest it's not a problem or doesn't affect everyone societally. You simply call it propaganda and state that it doesn't affect you and because of that isn't a worthwhile issue.

@Graylight It's social justice in the sense you are helping people who are victims of society. I noted you didn't refute my assumption that you would be exposed and influenced by people who have an agenda in promoting the concept of white privilege.

No logical counterpoint? I've asked you to consider that this is not really real and is merely a concept being promoted by malevolent forces in society. It's propaganda to diminish the contributions of white people in society. It's "racism" taken to the most ridiculous extreme.

Do you need evidence supporting that idea? I don't understand why you would need evidence of something like that. It would be tough to prove.

I will assume you have loads of "research" from academic institutions that support your position and this is what you will refer to as proof.

I've seen tons of academic research that can refute or promote pretty much any idea or concept in society. It really doesn't give you an edge, or prove anything, it just shows you know how to locate information from people who confirm your already existing biases.

I've noted you ignored the following question: