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Originally Posted by Lockjaw
While I don't agree with the sentiment that only whites can be racist because of some power thing(which is most certainly BS), "white" people in this country do have an advantage. It's not a huge insurmountable gap now unlike the past but it still exsists. The fact that if you are a white male between the ages of 30-65 you are the very face of power and authority in this country.
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That is like my saying if you are a black man, you are the very face of good basketball players in our country.
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Originally Posted by Lockjaw
You likely will not be subject to a random raised eye of suspicion from the police.
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First of all it, like you said, LIKELY.
I am also, LIKELY to be viewed as an oppresive white man by "ethnic minorities."
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Originally Posted by Lockjaw
You are on average likely to get treated better either knowingly or subconsciously by people in service industries.
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I work in the service industry, and can agree with this to a certain extent.
Certain "ethnic groups" are proven to tip differently. The same could also be true for teenagers, in a restaurant (regardless of skin pigment) they tend to tip less than adults.
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Originally Posted by Lockjaw
You will be more likely to be able to be more readily accepted into other circles of society than a minority be it a high powered social club or a private golf club.
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Again, LIKELY. I would say this is not LIKELY to be much of an advantage to me, as I don't have enough money to get into a private golf club. I would also wager that being an "ethinic minority" is just as LIKELY to help you as hurt you when trying to get into a "high powered social club" especially one interested in "diversity." (usually meaning diversity in skin color, not ideas).
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Originally Posted by Lockjaw
White male shows up at a bicycling meet or a car racing event for example. You are just part of the crowd. Latino male shows up at the same event and they are a dot in the crowd.
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Kinda like if I went to a Tejano Bar, I might seem out of place. Growing up I went to a basketball camp in the inner city. I was a "snowflake amongst the asphalt."
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Originally Posted by Lockjaw
A little old lady likely won't eye you as a threat if you stop to help her on the side of the road.
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Little old ladies potentially regard all men as a threat regardless of skin color. Then again, some studies have shown that
black men on average commit more violent crime than white men. I am not saying this justifies the hypothetical woman's prejudice. I am not saying the report is accurate or fair. But it is understandable from my prospective, that a woman could be in fear of a threat preceived or real without her being a racist.
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Originally Posted by Lockjaw
Large chunks of the entertainment industry is fairly much tailored to the average white person.
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Does this include rap music?
It is estimated 80% of rap music (I think it is fair to say, usually preformed by black artists) is bought by whites. Does it include BET or movies like Soul Plane television like the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (i've seen every show!), in Living Color, Moesha (sp?), the Wayans Bros. movies/show? Does the Cosby show count? How about professional sports? Does the NBA or NFL count as tailored for the average white person?
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Originally Posted by Lockjaw
And lastly a white person in many people's eyes legitimizes you or your cause. The Civil Rights movement didn't get any good press until white people started marching and getting arrested.
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I could argue that it was a natural result or more people being involved rather than white people involved. Regardless, I don't think this is really a strong point to argue that I have an advantage. I mean,
look at Jesse Jackson getting money from NASCAR. Considering the NAACP and the congressional black caucus, I could argue that black people often get special considerations that white people don't.
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Originally Posted by Lockjaw
Immigrant plight usually gets no attention until a white person gets involved. Music isn't legitimized or considered viable until a white person starts listening.
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I think that is a perception issue.
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Originally Posted by Lockjaw
And inter-racial marriages or relationships in many groups in this country are frowned upon UNLESS it's to a white person. I know several Asian people who have said that their family was against them bringing home a black,latino, but white people while not preferred were acceptable as their pressence would legitimize the marriage more.
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As if some black or latino families don't disapprove of interracial marriages too. This one goes both ways.
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Originally Posted by Lockjaw
People that come in from foreign countries do the same thing. To "make it" they don't Americanize persay more so they tend to "white wash" themselves to fit in more with the majority.
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I don't really understand this one. If someone comes from Ireland, and they try to assimlate into American culture, are they "white washing" too (or are they already white)? I may be missing your point here.
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Originally Posted by Lockjaw
The list goes on and on. It's nothing major but it's a lot of little subtle things the average white person either does not know about or takes for granted.
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I would say there is a much stronger correlation with people's bank accounts then the pigment in their skin.
The things I have responded too, are not meant to attack your postition/point of view. I just wanted to offer you my views on the things you posted, since you took time to answer my question, I thought it only fair. Thanks for reading mine.
Overall, I agree with MLK. "I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character."