White People Make Everything About Race
A podcast for well meaning white folks, trying to make sense of their own racial identity.
If you’re white like me, at some point you’ve probably been told it’s not polite to talk about race. But have you ever really thought about race? About your own race? About what it means for you?
Welcome to a show that asks the question: what does it mean to be well meaning and white in a society that has failed to fully address racial disparities?
Learn more at whitepeoplemakeeverythingaboutrace.com.
White People Make Everything About Race
Season 2, Episode 1: Is White Privilege A Lie?
White privilege. Does it exist? Is it a lie?
With the unfairness and rage many white people are feeling; the broad legal and cultural attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion that are happening throughout the country; and with white nationalism and increasing support for white supremacy being normalized, in this season of White People Make Everything About Race, I want to talk about white privilege.
Well, no, that’s not entirely true. I don't actually want to talk about white privilege.
Some people think white privilege is real and affects everyone; some think it’s something that others have; and some think it’s a total lie, manufactured by the work liberal elite.
But very few people want to talk about it one way or the other.
In my experience, almost no term causes as much discomfort and defensiveness amongst people who are white-identified as the words “white privilege”.
So let’s get uncomfortable.
Notes and References:
Who's Running America? The Obama Reign. Eighth Edition. Thomas R. Dye. Routledge. 2014.
Privilege: How Society's Elite Are Made. By Sudhir Venkatesh. Freakonomics. April 20, 2011. https://freakonomics.com/2011/04/privilege-how-societys-elite-are-made/
Most Americans Point to Circumstances, Not Work Ethic, for Why People Are Rich or Poor. March 20, 2020. https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2020/03/02/most-americans-point-to-circumstances-not-work-ethic-as-reasons-people-are-rich-or-poor/
See show notes and more at whitepeoplemakeeverythingaboutrace.com
