Tatum wraps up her book in the last section called "Breaking the Silence" by talking about how both whites and blacks should be more vocal about race and racism. It's important to discuss these topics so that we are all well informed and aware of what is going on around us (on both "sides"). Tatum feels that our society is capable of change, but the first step of this change is by "breaking this silence" and pushing past the fear that both whites and blacks fear towards the subject.
In the last few pages, Tatum raises several questions that we can ask ourselves about how we go about our daily lives. These questions include, "Whose lives do I affect and how? What power and authority do I wield in the world?... If you are an extrovert, have you used your people skills to gather others together for dialogue about racism?... How can we sustain ourselves for the long haul?" (340-342).
Out of the numerous questions that Tatum challenges her readers with, I have chosen to answer the one that states, "what power and authority do I wield in the world?"
**************
After reading this book, I was able to see life from a different perspective. Though I didn't always agree with Tatum's points and several weren't always supported with solid evidence, I have come to the realization that there is an area in which I have an advantage over minorities since I am white. Although, there is a way in which I feel at a disadvantage compared to minorities in this country, and another way in which I do not feel that I have power over others due to my race.
Often when we hear the phrase "white privilege," it is associated with racial inequality and a societal system that has deliberate advantages for whites over blacks when it comes to advancements such as employment. Using this definition, I do not believe that white privilege still exists in our country. Tatum's definition, however, is related more directly to psychological advantages that whites can't control. One of these she articulates early on in the book with a quote from a woman who explains how she felt socially advantaged in regards to driving through no fault of her own.
"If I look into my rearview mirror and see flashing red lights, I'm not afraid. I probably have an 'oh shit' moment but I have zero fear that I'll be harmed or even harassed by a police officer. I'm a nice white lady in a minivan... in suburbia USA. I might walk away with a ticket or maybe just a warning. No police officer is going to perceive me as a threat or a problem," (p 190)
I can relate to this passage because I have never felt the fear of being punished by that police officer with anything more than a ticket after being pulled over. In that sense, I am privileged for not having to live with a fear of police because of the color of my skin. I feel awful for those who have to live with this constant fear, but I'm not going to apologize for having been born white.
On the other hand, another aspect of this question that crossed my mind is how as a white person, I can be at a disadvantage in a different way that seems to be overlooked. I understand and agree that it is upsetting that some people in our society psychologically still have racial comments embedded in the back of their minds. However, this shouldn't be "fixed" by subjecting anyone to the color of their skin alone. Therefore, affirmative action should not be allowed when admitting students into colleges and employees into jobs.
As I discussed in a previous blog post, affirmative action is reverse discrimination and makes it much harder for not just whites, but for Asians to be admitted into colleges too. Academic requirements should be the same for all prospective students so that all of the most qualified students are admitted, not necessarily just the ones that will create diversity.
Tatum also brings up the issue of "institutional racism" and "oppressive systems" in our society earlier in her book when she states "that dealing with oppressive systems from the underside, regardless of the strategy, is physically and psychologically taxing," (p 107). This term refers to a specific way in which minorities are disadvantaged and deprived of upward mobility in society. However, she contradicts herself later when she brings up our former president, Barack Obama.
"The biracial son of a low-income single mother becomes president of the most powerful country in the world; you didn't see that coming," (p 214).
The reason I consider this to be a contradiction is because if there was truly institutional racism in this country, then he would have never been able to rise so high up. I think that his presidency is a celebration and a symbol of true equality in our country. Therefore, this is another reason why I don't feel that I "wield" any power over minorities because they can and do achieve just as much as white people do in the United States.
Answering the question "what power and authority do I wield in the world?" I feel that the only power I possess over minorities is beyond my control. The psychological aspect where minorities are more afraid of the police because of their race is unsettling and saddening and I wish they didn't have this constant fear. Therefore unintentionally, I have an advantage over people of color. However, I feel that whites and Asians are at more of a disadvantage compared to minorities regarding affirmative action in both colleges and jobs. Lastly, I do not think that institutional racism exists in our country anymore because of the amount of success that, for example, Barack Obama has had in his life. I feel that this isn't "power and authority being wielded over another racial group." It is merely equality, which is what our country should always strive for.
In the last few pages, Tatum raises several questions that we can ask ourselves about how we go about our daily lives. These questions include, "Whose lives do I affect and how? What power and authority do I wield in the world?... If you are an extrovert, have you used your people skills to gather others together for dialogue about racism?... How can we sustain ourselves for the long haul?" (340-342).
Out of the numerous questions that Tatum challenges her readers with, I have chosen to answer the one that states, "what power and authority do I wield in the world?"
**************
After reading this book, I was able to see life from a different perspective. Though I didn't always agree with Tatum's points and several weren't always supported with solid evidence, I have come to the realization that there is an area in which I have an advantage over minorities since I am white. Although, there is a way in which I feel at a disadvantage compared to minorities in this country, and another way in which I do not feel that I have power over others due to my race.
Often when we hear the phrase "white privilege," it is associated with racial inequality and a societal system that has deliberate advantages for whites over blacks when it comes to advancements such as employment. Using this definition, I do not believe that white privilege still exists in our country. Tatum's definition, however, is related more directly to psychological advantages that whites can't control. One of these she articulates early on in the book with a quote from a woman who explains how she felt socially advantaged in regards to driving through no fault of her own.
"If I look into my rearview mirror and see flashing red lights, I'm not afraid. I probably have an 'oh shit' moment but I have zero fear that I'll be harmed or even harassed by a police officer. I'm a nice white lady in a minivan... in suburbia USA. I might walk away with a ticket or maybe just a warning. No police officer is going to perceive me as a threat or a problem," (p 190)
I can relate to this passage because I have never felt the fear of being punished by that police officer with anything more than a ticket after being pulled over. In that sense, I am privileged for not having to live with a fear of police because of the color of my skin. I feel awful for those who have to live with this constant fear, but I'm not going to apologize for having been born white.
On the other hand, another aspect of this question that crossed my mind is how as a white person, I can be at a disadvantage in a different way that seems to be overlooked. I understand and agree that it is upsetting that some people in our society psychologically still have racial comments embedded in the back of their minds. However, this shouldn't be "fixed" by subjecting anyone to the color of their skin alone. Therefore, affirmative action should not be allowed when admitting students into colleges and employees into jobs.
As I discussed in a previous blog post, affirmative action is reverse discrimination and makes it much harder for not just whites, but for Asians to be admitted into colleges too. Academic requirements should be the same for all prospective students so that all of the most qualified students are admitted, not necessarily just the ones that will create diversity.
Tatum also brings up the issue of "institutional racism" and "oppressive systems" in our society earlier in her book when she states "that dealing with oppressive systems from the underside, regardless of the strategy, is physically and psychologically taxing," (p 107). This term refers to a specific way in which minorities are disadvantaged and deprived of upward mobility in society. However, she contradicts herself later when she brings up our former president, Barack Obama.
"The biracial son of a low-income single mother becomes president of the most powerful country in the world; you didn't see that coming," (p 214).
The reason I consider this to be a contradiction is because if there was truly institutional racism in this country, then he would have never been able to rise so high up. I think that his presidency is a celebration and a symbol of true equality in our country. Therefore, this is another reason why I don't feel that I "wield" any power over minorities because they can and do achieve just as much as white people do in the United States.
Answering the question "what power and authority do I wield in the world?" I feel that the only power I possess over minorities is beyond my control. The psychological aspect where minorities are more afraid of the police because of their race is unsettling and saddening and I wish they didn't have this constant fear. Therefore unintentionally, I have an advantage over people of color. However, I feel that whites and Asians are at more of a disadvantage compared to minorities regarding affirmative action in both colleges and jobs. Lastly, I do not think that institutional racism exists in our country anymore because of the amount of success that, for example, Barack Obama has had in his life. I feel that this isn't "power and authority being wielded over another racial group." It is merely equality, which is what our country should always strive for.
I think that the way that you wrapped this book up is great and very well written! I noticed that I related well to your ideas because, as white women in a fairly white community, we don't notice as much racism because we are not exposed to it as much. Yet, I find it interesting that if we were to go to Concord High for example, we would notice more racism than at Hopkinton.
ReplyDeleteGood job!
Caitlin-
ReplyDeleteI appreciated the fact that you chose to explain the different definitions of 'white privilege' and through definitions you said you do or do no have it. I found your quote about the white woman getting pulled over also relatable, because I do not have a fear but a quick 'oh shoot' moment. I am glad your book showed you a new perspective, I feel as though seeing different issues through different views is extremely important and helpful to be able to understand different sides to an argument. I am glad you chose to describe your own form of hardships for being a white person at this time, like affirmative action. Overall your post was very insightful, and got me intrigued about your book. The way you followed up a quote from the beginning of the book to help answer your question was a really great way to wrap up the book.
I really enjoyed reading your post, nice job!
- Meg