I want to say that I do know there is such a thing as White privilege. And I'm proud of Barack Obama for never complaining or even mentioning the effects it has has on this historical campaign. But as a citizen and brother to all I think these statements need to be shared. Some will have their eyes opened to the double standard.
Tim Wise
(the writer for what follows) is a young WHITE anti-racist activist and a frequent speaker on college campuses. His book,
“White Like Me,” is very famous.
Everybody PLEASE remember that
the Last day to register to vote Oct 1! Tell your neighbors and friends!
.
This is Your Nation on White Privilege
By Tim Wise
9/13/08
For those who still can't grasp the concept of white privilege, or who are
constantly looking for some easy-to-understand examples of it, perhaps this list
will help.
White privilege is when you can get pregnant at seventeen like Bristol Palin
and everyone is quick to insist that your life and that of your family is a
personal matter, and that no one has a right to judge you or your parents,
because "every family has challenges," even as black and Latino
families with similar "challenges" are regularly typified as
irresponsible, pathological and arbiters of social decay.
White privilege is when you can call yourself a "f-----'
redneck," like Bristol Palin's boyfriend does, and talk about how if
anyone messes with you, you'll "kick their f----n' a--," and
talk about how you like to "shoot s---" for fun, and still be viewed
as a responsible, all-American boy (and a great son-in-law to be) rather than a
thug.
White privilege is when you can attend four different colleges in six years
like Sarah Palin did (one of which you basically failed out of, then returned to
after making up some coursework at a community college), and no one questions
your intelligence or commitment to achievement, whereas a person of color who
did this would be viewed as unfit for college, and probably someone who only got
in in the first place because of affirmative action.
White privilege is when you can claim that being mayor of a town smaller than
most medium-sized colleges, and then Governor of a state with about the same
number of people as the lower fifth of the island of Manhattan, makes you ready
to potentially be president, and people don't all pee on themselves with
laughter, while being a black U.S. Senator, two-term state Senator, and
constitutional law scholar, means you're "untested."
White privilege is being able to say that you support the words "under God" in the pledge of allegiance because "if it was good enough for
the founding fathers, it's good enough for me," and not be immediately
disqualified from holding office--since, after all, the pledge was written in
the late 1800s and the "under God" part wasn't added until the
1950s--while believing that reading accused criminals and terrorists their
rights (because, ya know, the Constitution, which you used to teach at a prestigious law school requires it), is a dangerous and silly idea only
supported by mushy liberals.
White privilege is being able to be a gun enthusiast and not make people
immediately scared of you.
White privilege is being able to make fun of community organizers and the work
they do--like, among other things, fight for the right of women to vote, or for
civil rights, or the 8-hour workday, or an end to child labor--and people think
you're being pithy and tough, but if you merely question the experience of a
small town mayor and 18-month governor with no foreign policy expertise beyond a
class she took in college--you' re somehow being mean, or even sexist.
White privilege is being able to convince white women who don't even agree
with you on any substantive issue to vote for you and your running mate anyway,
because all of a sudden your presence on the ticket has inspired confidence in
these same white women, and made them give your party a "second look."
White privilege is being able to attend churches over the years whose pastors
say that people who voted for John Kerry or merely criticize George W. Bush are
going to hell, and that the U.S. is an explicitly Christian nation and the job
of Christians is to bring Christian theological principles into government, and who bring in speakers who say the conflict in the Middle East is God's
punishment on Jews for rejecting Jesus, and everyone can still think you're
just a good church-going Christian, but if you're black and friends with a
black pastor who has noted (as have Colin Powell and the U.S. Department of
Defense) that terrorist attacks are often the result of U.S. foreign policy and
who talks about the history of racism and its effect on black people, you're
an extremist who probably hates America.
White privilege is not knowing what the Bush Doctrine is when asked by a
reporter, and then people get angry at the reporter for asking you such a
"trick question," while being black and merely refusing to give one-word answers to the queries of Bill O'Reilly means you're dodging
the question, or trying to seem overly intellectual and nuanced.
And finally, white privilege is the only thing that could possibly allow
someone to become president when he has voted with George W. Bush 90 percent of
the time, even as unemployment is skyrocketing, people are losing their homes, inflation is rising, and the U.S. is increasingly isolated from world opinion, just because white voters aren't sure about that whole "change"
thing. Ya know, it's just too vague and ill-defined, unlike, say, four more
years of the same, which is very concrete and certain.
White privilege is, in short, the problem.
.
I want to say that I do know there is such a thing as White privilege. And I'm proud of Barack Obama for never complaining or even mentioning the effects it has has on this historical campaign. But as a citizen and brother to all I think these statements need to be shared. Some will have their eyes opened to the double standard.
Tim Wise (the writer for what follows) is a young WHITE anti-racist activist and a frequent speaker on college campuses. His book, “White Like Me,” is very famous.
Everybody PLEASE remember that the Last day to register to vote Oct 1! Tell your neighbors and friends!
. This is Your Nation on White Privilege
By Tim Wise
9/13/08
For those who still can't grasp the concept of white privilege, or who are
constantly looking for some easy-to-understand examples of it, perhaps this list
will help.
White privilege is when you can get pregnant at seventeen like Bristol Palin
and everyone is quick to insist that your life and that of your family is a
personal matter, and that no one has a right to judge you or your parents,
because "every family has challenges," even as black and Latino
families with similar "challenges" are regularly typified as
irresponsible, pathological and arbiters of social decay.
White privilege is when you can call yourself a "f-----'
redneck," like Bristol Palin's boyfriend does, and talk about how if
anyone messes with you, you'll "kick their f----n' a--," and
talk about how you like to "shoot s---" for fun, and still be viewed
as a responsible, all-American boy (and a great son-in-law to be) rather than a
thug.
White privilege is when you can attend four different colleges in six years
like Sarah Palin did (one of which you basically failed out of, then returned to
after making up some coursework at a community college), and no one questions
your intelligence or commitment to achievement, whereas a person of color who
did this would be viewed as unfit for college, and probably someone who only got
in in the first place because of affirmative action.
White privilege is when you can claim that being mayor of a town smaller than
most medium-sized colleges, and then Governor of a state with about the same
number of people as the lower fifth of the island of Manhattan, makes you ready
to potentially be president, and people don't all pee on themselves with
laughter, while being a black U.S. Senator, two-term state Senator, and
constitutional law scholar, means you're "untested."
White privilege is being able to say that you support the words "under God" in the pledge of allegiance because "if it was good enough for
the founding fathers, it's good enough for me," and not be immediately
disqualified from holding office--since, after all, the pledge was written in
the late 1800s and the "under God" part wasn't added until the
1950s--while believing that reading accused criminals and terrorists their
rights (because, ya know, the Constitution, which you used to teach at a prestigious law school requires it), is a dangerous and silly idea only
supported by mushy liberals.
White privilege is being able to be a gun enthusiast and not make people
immediately scared of you.
White privilege is being able to make fun of community organizers and the work
they do--like, among other things, fight for the right of women to vote, or for
civil rights, or the 8-hour workday, or an end to child labor--and people think
you're being pithy and tough, but if you merely question the experience of a
small town mayor and 18-month governor with no foreign policy expertise beyond a
class she took in college--you' re somehow being mean, or even sexist.
White privilege is being able to convince white women who don't even agree
with you on any substantive issue to vote for you and your running mate anyway,
because all of a sudden your presence on the ticket has inspired confidence in
these same white women, and made them give your party a "second look."
White privilege is being able to attend churches over the years whose pastors
say that people who voted for John Kerry or merely criticize George W. Bush are
going to hell, and that the U.S. is an explicitly Christian nation and the job
of Christians is to bring Christian theological principles into government, and who bring in speakers who say the conflict in the Middle East is God's
punishment on Jews for rejecting Jesus, and everyone can still think you're
just a good church-going Christian, but if you're black and friends with a
black pastor who has noted (as have Colin Powell and the U.S. Department of
Defense) that terrorist attacks are often the result of U.S. foreign policy and
who talks about the history of racism and its effect on black people, you're
an extremist who probably hates America.
White privilege is not knowing what the Bush Doctrine is when asked by a
reporter, and then people get angry at the reporter for asking you such a
"trick question," while being black and merely refusing to give one-word answers to the queries of Bill O'Reilly means you're dodging
the question, or trying to seem overly intellectual and nuanced.
And finally, white privilege is the only thing that could possibly allow
someone to become president when he has voted with George W. Bush 90 percent of
the time, even as unemployment is skyrocketing, people are losing their homes, inflation is rising, and the U.S. is increasingly isolated from world opinion, just because white voters aren't sure about that whole "change"
thing. Ya know, it's just too vague and ill-defined, unlike, say, four more
years of the same, which is very concrete and certain.
White privilege is, in short, the problem.
.
78 comments:
If I didn't know any better I would have thought I stepped in some doggy doo!
"doggy doo"? Well I think there is certainly elements of truth to the article however the premise of most of it is false.
Barack Obama and White Privilege
John Stossel
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Complaints about racism still dominate media discussion of the disparity between black and white success. Comedian Chris Rock tells white audiences, "None of ya would change places with me! And I'm rich! That's how good it is to be white!"
I assumed that the success of Barack Obama, as well as thousands of other black Americans and dark-skinned immigrants -- many of whom thrive despite language problems -- demonstrates that America today is largely a colorblind meritocracy. But a white campus lecturer, Tim Wise, gets tremendous applause from students by saying things like, "[W]hite supremacy and privilege continue to skew opportunities hundreds of years after they were set in place" and in America, "meritocracy is as close to a lie as you can come." His message is in demand -- he is invited to more than 80 speaking engagements a year.
But black writer Shelby Steele argues that whites do blacks no favors wringing their hands about white privilege.
"I grew up in segregation," Steele told me. "So I really know what racism is. I went to segregated school. I bow to no one in my knowledge of racism, which is one of the reasons why I say white privilege is not a problem."
Steele claims, "the real problem is black irresponsibility. ... Racism is about 18th on a list of problems that black America faces."
Whites' preoccupation with guilt and compensation such as affirmative action is actually a subtle form of racism, writes Steele in his book "White Guilt". "One of the things that is clear about white privilege, and so many of the arguments for diversity that pretend to be compensatory, is that they advantage whites. They make the argument that whites can solve [black people's] problems. ... The problem with that is ... you reinforce white supremacy. ... And black dependency.
"White privilege is a disingenuous idea," he adds. In fact, now there is "minority privilege."
"If I'm a black high school student today, there are white American institutions, universities, hovering over me to offer me opportunities. Almost every institution has a diversity committee. Every country club now has a diversity committee. I've been asked to join so many clubs, I can't tell you. ... I don't have to even look for opportunities in many cases, they come right to me."
Of course, there is still racism in America. At ABC News we've aired hidden-camera video showing sales clerks spying on black customers, cab drivers passing blacks to pick up whites and employers favoring white-sounding names.
Steele says those are minor problems.
"The fact is," he adds, "we got a raw deal in America. We got a much better deal now. But we can't access it unless we take ... responsibility for getting there ourselves."
He makes good points. White privilege does still exist, but Barack Obama's success is more evidence that it's not the whole story. There are plenty of people in America who want to vote for someone because he is black. Or female.
It's not politically correct to say that. Hillary Clinton supporter Geraldine Ferraro said she wouldn't have been nominated for vice president in 1984 were she not a woman and that Obama would not have been doing so well were he not black. "Could I have said ... his experience is what puts him there? No. Could I say because his stand on issues have distinguished him? No ... If Obama were a white man, he would not be in this position. ... He happens to be very lucky to be who he is. And the country is caught up in the concept."
For saying that, she was repeatedly called racist. The heat got so intense, Ferraro had to resign from Clinton's finance committee, and Clinton disavowed her remarks.
There is black privilege -- and white privilege. It's time to stop complaining about past discrimination and to treat people as individuals, not as members of a certain race.
peace
jj
I've got one thing to say,
Camden, Arkansas
I never thought I would see so much white privilege until I moved here.
It's blatant, and crass and racism is so abundant here it is insane.
Now in terms of the article when I read it I gathered from it that there is a double standard in this country. Bottom line.
White privilege is silent and unspoken and so interwoven into society white people don't even notice it as they go about their lives each day.
The very notion that people of color are somehow irresponsible is confusing to me now that I live in the area that I do and work as an event planner. I thought that at one time too until African Americans in this area were clear "Those white folks aint gone let you do that" - I was blocked at every turn but the same concept I developed was seen done months later by a white competitor.
"If they see you making any kind of money they are going to shut you down" - They were right once it was evident that I was able to produce what I said in large numbers...new city codes and regulations were twisted to make it more difficult for me to run my business.
But in the beginning I guffawed and said this is America a new century surely people don't still do that.
I have been thrown curve balls and doors locked,.... as I stood with my degrees in one hand and ideas in mind and years of experience.
White business owners in this area need only appear and they are offered the same contracts with less experience and less result.
Blacks in this part of the country are conditioned that there is no way out, no privilege for them. Some of these people including my family who migrated here from Lousiana after the civil war, know nothing else.
Is it a lack of knowledge? Is it to survive? Is it history that was so sad, wrong and devastating that black families have yet to still recover as my parents and others are still passing down to their children the thoughts and ideas passed down to them by thiers?
All of the above.
I didn't understand it then but I do now. (I know I was passed on jobs when I first arrived here based on my race and a simple admin job was given to a young fresh outta high school white girl side bar -- glad she got it and not me)
The history and lives of the African Americans that I encounter everyday that call this place home and have never been anywhere else.....have the privilege of keeping food on the table by being quiet and accepting what is here. Not because of irresponsibility but because this is all they know and that no matter what I do or where I have been in my life will make no dent in how they see the world. Theirs
Mamma
TELL IT LIKE IT IS BLACK MAN. MOST HAVEN'T READ "WHITE LIKE ME" NOR "BLACK LIKE ME" FROM MY EXPERIENCE WHEN THESE TYPES OF PUBLICATIONS ARE PUT IN VIDEO OR TV FORM IT SEEMS TO OPEN EYES AND HEARTS ALITTLE MORE. I'M GLAD I FOUND U, BEEN ROCKIN YOUR LYRICS SINCE UR FIRST COUP TRACKS.(NO LIE STILL CAN HEAR "MY LAST BLUNT"LYRICS. ALWAYS LOVED THAT LOGO OF THE BLACK WOMAN WITH BABY AND RIFLE.CAN I MAKE A FEW SHIRTS OF THAT? ALSO THE COVER OF YOURS THAT GOT BANNED OF THE WORLD TRADE BUILDINGS....CLASSIC. WISH MORE PEOPLE KNEW OF THAT COVER. CHECK MY ARTWORK STYLES IT WOULD BE A PRIVLIEGE TO LINK YOU WITH SOMETHING BRETHRIN. PLENTY TO TYPE AND TALK ABOUT BUT I GOTTA HIT THE STUDIO AND PAINT. JUST HAD TO REPLY TO YOUR POST...MUCH RESPECT TO U AND ONE LOVE RASTA GT
What other place is there? No Other Place like it!
by the way! thanks for still being real, being inspired and being speech...
love U bro
Pirahnahead
Speech this is Telah and I must say you put everything I was thinking into a nutshell. We need to get the word out to the masses.
Thank you for posting this.
I wish more people in this country could see through the smokescreens that are blatantly up everywhere.
Namaste~
Krishna
Thank you for posting this.
I wish more people in this country could see through the smokescreens that are blatantly up everywhere.
Namaste~
Krishna
so if we dont vote for obama we are racist and it is white privilege? bullshit speech. u are dividing and are bordering on racist yourself.
where's the love, speech you sing about? it's gone. i use to respect you so much, speech. i love you man, but you are so wrong on so many levels. i have my own mind, i think it's a fair, loving, and reasonable one. if i vote for who i think is right, that's my right. w/ all due respect, shame on you(i wanted to use another phrase, but that would be imature, and i wont sink to that) but u have pissed me off! practice what u preach. we are free, and we will do what we think is right, you do.
how about black privilege. everybody makes fun of bush the white man, now they are making fun of mc cain and palin the white people. parodies, main stream media, comedy central, hollywood have turned mc cain and the like into a joke. do you hear anybody making fun of obama, any parodies on him, imitating him, like they do bush and mc cain? no cuz if they did they'd be a racist right? it's bullshit.
i'm am so tired of people, and more importantly you, my idol, at at least use to be, telling me how to vote and how to think. your approach and the left approach condesending and contemptful is the reason why your man should be way ahead in the polls, but is not. it happend 4 years ago. it is happing right now. quit being such a f'ing elitist, talk about why your man should be prez, and quit telling how bad the right is.
do you hear mc cain complaining about how the media, hollywood, music industry, and everything else w/ a mass audience is in bed w/ obama? it's called left, lyberal priviledge, and it's part of whats wrong w/ this country. contemtful, elitism, condesending, and it is why it has backfired on yall, and yet you wonder what you're doing wrong.
i still and always will love you, speech. for your great music, and most of what u have to say about life, not about what you think i should believe in.
from the heart, armando reyes - not white, not black, not mexican - american....is that ok?Armando
I don't agree with all of this, and I don't think the election needs to be made a "race" issue. Yet there are always certain problems which need to be addressed, of course.
As for "White privilege is being able to be a gun enthusiast and not make people immediately scared of you"...I'm afraid of ANYONE who is a gun enthusiast - white, black, or purple!!!Pamylla
...never, in a million years did i think i'd be arguing w/ you about what we believe. i truly do love and respect most everything you have to speak about. you ARE the man. i will write one more thing. u say white priviledge is the only thing that would allow john into office. that and the fact that people believe in what he stands for on the issues, and don't believe what borack stand for on the issues. it's a freedom and our right. you have been singing about it for years and i have been buying and supporting it for years. i thank our god, that we have that priviledge. it has served you well through the years. i have the freedom to never buy your music again, but i will, and support, at least your right, to say whatever you want to say.
normally i'd keep my mouth shut, but you taught me, i'm just a shell till i decide to rebel. see it has backfired already. i would have remained silent, like i always do, but you forced it out of me, with your division, contempt, and telling me how i should vote and think. united minds of america. is that possible? freedom, a curse or a cure? i will fight till my dying day, and even after that my ghost resides w/ pride.
Armando
Too-shay! Armando. Very creative! :-)
We may disagree, but we're still brothers. I have no hard feelings towards you. And I appreciate your support and love for the music. It really means a great deal to me and my family!
from one human to another,
SPEECH
Too-shay! Armando. Very creative! :-)
We may disagree, but we're still brothers. I have no hard feelings towards you. And I appreciate your support and love for the music. It really means a great deal to me and my family!
from one human to another,
SPEECH
word -
I feel ya my strong black brother.I can tell you there are some white people who don't have privilege. As a woman with a disability I am underestimated all the time.Being on SSI means I am below poeverty level.
Fortunes Lady
I understand that not all whites are rich. I will pray for your circumstances. (I am a believer in the power & love of God)
Voting for Obama this November, will help in medical insurance, poverty assistance and compassion on those who are struggling to get by!
Your brother,
SPEECH
You should use you influence to get people to educate themselves to ignore things like media bias. Media networks like CNN, ABC etc want people to hate each other and use their airtime to rip people apart leading to negativity. They do not focus on the REAL problems like Illegal immigration, the war in Iraq, or the economy. Why do you use your influence to promote racism? David
Hi David,
I'm not sure why you consider this post racism? But I can assure you that wasn't my intent! The main part of the post was written by a white man named Tim Wise. He has devoted his life to fighting against racism.
please accept my apology for the miscommunication.
SPEECH
Ok, but these types of arguments and "back-ground" checks can be brought up for Obama. He has no long term political experience and has shaky event in his past that could fill a whole blog as well. How about instead of just trying to downplay the other candidate, someone post an article on the proposed "change" Obama will bring. I am not by any means a McCain/Palin supporter, but all I hear from both sides is how awful the other one is. Instead as an educated American, I would like to hear their own platforms. Stop with the political smear campaigns and explain to me why you're a better candidate to run this country.
P.S. - Join the Ron Paul Revolution!Crizzy
Barack Obama explains very clearly in his book, "Dreams From My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance," the way race affects him. He's smart not to appear like an angry black man on the stump because he knows doing that will disaffect white voters. I think Obama is showing black Americans the way to succeed in this country is not to be a divisive, angry person; instread, he's showing people how to appeal to everyone. The only way the nation will change is if minorities learn to succeed. Once more succeed, the white priviledge will priviledge for all. The naughty finger
WORD! It's ridiculous how clueless most people are to these facts. Really great points. Thanks for posting. I'm just curious, what do you think about Cynthia McKinney? Sanskirt
That's the most racist bulletin I have seen in a very long time. Andy
I'm not sure what is racist about it?
Yet, I'm sorry you feel that way Andy. That is NOT my intent. However, the meat of the post comes from a white man (Tim Wise) who daily fights AGAINST racism. So it's obviously a misunderstanding.
I respect you as a fellow creation of God's.
your brother,
SPEECH
SPEECH-
i'm a long time fan and i may be white but i don't think that i get privileges. i've been working since i was 16 (even though my dad was a colonel in the army), been fired for no reason, had to go to a "pre-college course" before i was accepted, been harassed by the cops numerous times, paid for college myself (and my parents have these so called white privileges), worked in a lumber factory for shit pay just to get by, been kicked out of my house cuz i couldn't afford the rent - even when working.
look at it more closely. the poorest part of our nation runs from georgia to maine: appalacha. it worse off than harlem and it is 98% white and they don't get help from anyone, especially the govt; unless they need coal or trees.
think about ur statement.
it should word like this: top 1% white privilege
and us white privilege people probably purchased 80% of your records; so before u shoot, aim.
peace,
-phil-
Thanks for your response. And support of the music!
I'm happy you're a hard worker! We obviously disagree in some areas. No hard feelings. In fact Obama can help the people you just mentioned and I hope they will vote for what will be in their best interest!
your brother,
Speech
thank you, Speech! i am reposting this!
xx
La Sonid
Dude....I agree, I cant stand the s___ that goes down, black, whit, red, yellow......there's so much injustice out there it makes my skin crawl....but the worst kind is when George Bush is laughing and making jokes about not finding the weapons of mass destruction "not under there...not over there"...and all the other elite people in the $1000 dollar a plate banquet hall are laughing too....laughing ?? While some poor lady in Iraq is grieving over her lost child who was blown up in some attack he had nothing to do with....laughing? I just dont get how people who call themselves Christians or whatever can sit around and laugh.....it's not funny...Thanks for speaking your mind in the way you feel you must, I can see that your intention is to make a better , more just world...Peace, J
Joel V
You know, I've thought about it a bit more. Tim Wise makes some very good points. I would like to add however that this thing is a bit more complex than he portrays it and that I would get more specific with the terminology; say, White/American Privilege. Here is why.
The residue of the legacy of Afrikan slavery which despite any compelling improvements in race relations in this country is still alive and well. Ignore this at your own peril. It is a, if not the critical underlying cause and/or effect of the willingness of the majority of the people in this country to accept all forms of inequity, mediocrity and other bullshit at home and to go along with wars against and continued exploitation of mostly "non-white", "underclass" people everywhere on the planet. Oddly enough many "people of color" here fall in lockstep with this as well. It's a "not me, why should I care" blind, deaf, dumb, numb acceptance of the propaganda of "other". Understandable to a degree as it is difficult to be concerned with the fate of others when you are barely holding yours together.
The real problem with this "privilege" is that it engenders schism between nations, cultures and people, lulls us into a state of false security and worse, alienates people from THEMSELVES. "We're American, we can do whatever we want as individuals and as a nation with no reprisals". And that while a significant portion of the population is buying into this, the real power brokers of this country (and the world) are selling us out and don't give a fuck about the majority of us no matter what color we are!
It's classic divide and conquer people. Ancient history. Add it to the list, Democrat/Republican, male/female, gay/straight, communist/capitalist, christian/athiest, christian/jew, christian/muslim, muslim/jew, big side of the egg/small side of the egg, this/that and essentially, the other. While you're busy buying shit up you can't afford, trying to get you rocks off, dumbing down your kids, claiming the true god and thinking you are better than the man/woman next door or across the tracks, "the elite (dare I say Lucifer)" are slowly and diligently taking all your shit AND your shine.
[SPECIAL BULLETIN: AIG gets $85 billion bail out from the US government. If you pay federal taxes that's YOUR money FOOL! ]
Don't get me wrong I acknowledge I have benefited a great deal from being born, raised, living and doing business in this country. I wouldn't trade that experience for anything. In fact I have directly benefited from being American in countless ways. JAZZ baby! Shit, when things got real tough I went dumpster diving and was glad that there was actually food enough around to be thrown out (!) even as I was later one morning (4:30 am) held at gunpoint by 6 very nervous cops at the Spring street C train station in New York City because the Pakistani token (ha,ha) clerk reported that while jumping the turnstile I had brandished a weapon at him. I had in fact a blue, plastic attache filled with discarded pizza and I still see that motherfucker today in his little fucking booth, years later.
When things were good I could tell some non-performing asshole (white, black, mexican, chinese, whatever) to get the fuck off my job site. Bills paid, belly full and the leisure to pursue other interests. Fortunately my experiences have left me neither bitter, prideful nor woefully ignorant, at least not recently. Really.
More to Mr. Wise's point. I've lived on both sides of several fences white/black, rich/poor, American/foreign. Perhaps being the offspring of a white woman and a black man has given me a unique perspective. Hell, I recall as a youth being called "nigger" and "whiteboy" in the same day (true story)! That's got to count for something. Right? I've had the best education money can buy and a street education money can't buy. So I guess I can relate to where Barack Obama is coming from. Actually I'm sure I can, in a way I was supposed to BE Barack Obama.
So hear me now about this most recent round of American presidential pile-o-tricks.
Jumping on the race (or gender) bandwagon is utterly futile regardless of which side you're on. A calculated distraction. I expect as much from politicians and pundits because they expect that from us. The truth is Obama is not the first "black" president (gasp!) and the others went through some of the same bullshit he is or worse (hint: one of them was offed!) I'll let you do your own research on that one. Second, when I get past the pretty face and the swagger and the nice flow (speech) and the "blackness" I honestly can't see much of a difference between "our man" and his competitors. More war on some homemade "foreign" threat, more corporate hegemony, etc. I would like to think that he just has amazing game and will make some REAL moves once he gets into power but for the fact that his main handler/adviser is Zbigniew Brzezinski for chrissake! Now THAT'S fucking scary! Again you'll have to do your own research on that one too.
The most crucial difference is that I believe that for whatever it's worth Obama as an individual might maybe possibly perhaps be more responsive to having his feet put to the fire as Dr. Cornell West once suggested. He is way too intelligent not to know what he's doing. Whatever happens don't allow him that excuse. That is entirely up to us and if we don't do the same to the sellout Congress after getting rid of 95% of those there now, it won't matter.
Obama's biggest asset right now is as a SYMBOL. A black/multikultural man with a funny name as the president of America The Great. Whether his administration is the saving grace of America and perhaps the world (the New World Jes Grew) or he's the fallguy/puppet for the (New World Atonist's) final blow to an empire bloated on blood, oil and Velveeta [HMF] is ultimately up to US (U.S.). And if we as a people don't accelerate our rational understanding of how the world works and how race here in America specifically has and continues to be used as a tool of oppression, division and distraction...well.
So, Tim Wise, you got an axe to grind and you know that I got your grindstone. Just be careful you don't take someone's eye out.
-Terrorjoy
'cause that's what it's about.
p.s. For a most cogent analysis of American race relations, the real legacy of Afrikan slavery and its psychological effects across racial lines, I recommend the work of Dr. Joy Degruy-Leary. And for a no nonsense, esotericafunk version of World/American history and race relations, Ishmael Reed's Mumbo Jumbo is an absolute MUST (thanks Yaseen).
thank u speech, i thought i lost my head for a minute. i will always take what u have to say to heart. who knows, u might convince me that what i believe is not whats best for the country. thanx for not doggin me, you had every right.
i love you, bother!
I definitely think this is rascist. I don't care if it is the words of a white guy. To say b/c i don't support Obama that I am rascist and priviledged is ridiculous. I don't support him b/c I think that his policies will be good for this country. All his tax increases will kill this economy even if I am in the 95 % of americans who will supposedly get a tax break. When the economy goes down, there are less jobs and those who support programs that aid the poor will no longer be able to give. The poor will suffer under Obama even if he gives them a little more money taken from the wealthy (which is socialism).
I am a gun owner. I grew up in the country where we use our guns to hunt. I understand your position being in a large city.
There are still people that are rascist no doubt on both sides. But I think it is time to stop looking at the past and playing the victim role and start working to make something of yourself.
There are many black people who are now in high position. SUre there are some areas where there is still decrimination but there are many opportunities available. Just look at Obama. Also Colin Powell, Condy Rice. these are some of the most powerful people in our nation.
Barack Obama is proof that, despite racism, black people can accomplish anything they set their minds to. Notice that Obama is careful not to appear divisive, or, A.K.A., "The angry black man." Anger and resentment about past discrimination or current discrimination only offends whites who are truly making an effort to repair race relations by cooperating harmoniously with minorities. Black people are the only minorities who constantly complain, and I think the discussion creates more of an illusion of racism than any actual substantive instances of racism. It's better to work hard, be a nice person, and ignore ignorant people of another race. Eventually we'll rid this country of racism, but unless people stop creating such an illusion by this constant discussion, we'll never really notice it's gone...
Anyone who doesn't think that there is a thing like White Privilege has to be blind to the world.
The guy above says that they need to stop being victims...well that's a racist statement if I ever seen one. It's not about playing the victim, its about getting the same rights and privileges as everyone else. This is America. We are ALL suppose to be treated equal.
I live in a pretty diverse neighborhood and when I go to work and there is no Black people working with me...that raises many questions in my head. Especially when I see them time and time again, filling out applications. Why are they not being hired?
I also worked at a major retail store and they literally had one black person hired in the store! Where's the justification of that when the community has at least 25% black people living there?
Why are they suppose to travel all the way to the city to get work?
The guy went on to say that there are black people in power, but could only name three people. What kind of power is that? You cannot honestly believe what you're writing here.
Sure, there are many others working in congress, senate and the house, but if you look at the ratio...it's completely bias!
You want people to stop playing the victim as you say...then be fair to those people then. If everything was equal like it should be, then we wouldn't even be debating this issue right now.
Also, I don't think white people are racist if they don't support Obama, but the majority of those who are in fact racist would rather hand the country over to some incompetent white guy then see a black man take office. That's just a fact!
You don't need spread sheets, pie charts and polls to figure out that this country is in no way where it should be right now.
If this White Privilege is not going on, then why are black people still one of the poorest race of people in America? Is it a coincidence? I wouldn't think so!
I just don't see how you can ask a race of people to drop it and move on when the other race is still screwing them over with every possible chance they can get.
I think many of you have unknowingly PROVED by your statements that there is WHITE supremacy and privilege. Some spoke of "the Angry black man" approach that doesn't allow success in this country. Then who ALLOWS the success? Answer that honestly and you've just proved that whites have huge privilege, that no other race here has.
Speech
I think many of you have unknowingly PROVED by your statements that there is WHITE supremacy and privilege. Some spoke of "the Angry black man" approach that doesn't allow success in this country. Then who ALLOWS the success? Answer that honestly and you've just proved that whites have huge privilege, that no other race here has.
Speech
I tihnk the bigger problem is poverty. I don't think white privilege is the reason the black community can't rise out of poverty. It is obviously easier to make it in this country if you come from any middle class family black or white. Poverty creates a sense of dependence that keeps many from working to get out of it. Our gov't has done a lot to create this with the welfare program. There are the same problems and issues in poor white communities.
You asked who allows success in this country. I think this country allows success for anyone who has a vision and works hard. Sure if you start from poverty it is going to be a much harder road. I can't prevent you from being successful.
Chewy your argument can go the other way also. there are plenty of racist who are black. So are those black racist going to vote against McCain b/c he is white and vote for an incompetent black guy.
C
There is a great article from Thomas Sowell today on a similar topic to what I was talking about. There are plenty of opportunities to succeed. He did it in the 60's so I know if can be done today.
Here is the link:
http://townhall.com/columnists/ThomasSowell/2008/09/17/the_high_cost_of_racial_hype
you should read Sowell's bio also.
But you make it out like there has always been a black candidate to choose from. That there has always been equality and fairness!
When there still isn't! You cannot say for sure that the black vote is purely going to go to Obama because he is black.
Reason being...there has never been a black presidential candidate to go this far into the race.
There's no basis for comparison. Segregation has been over for how long now? If the system is fair...then why hasn't there been a president other then white ones?
By your logic, if they work for it and stopped pulling the race card...then they would already be achieving everything that the white man has already done. That's just not true!
Remember Jesse Jackson...see what happened when he pushed and tried to create a better situation for himself?
Read the statistics, look up more than ONE source for information, and for the worlds sake take a couple sociology classes. White privilege is real.
There should be NO question that there are people in this country of every color and "race" who work hard and struggle for everything they have. There should also be NO question that majority of the wealth and opportunity in this country belongs to WHITE people. Its a fact. Poo poo it all you want.
Ive got a great example of white privilege for you, whens the last time a white guy got shot the hell up for leaving a strip club in the middle of the night or reaching for his wallet? While you look for one or two I could rattle off DOZENS of black men thats happened to.
Do I believe its because these cops are racist? No. Its not "racism", not on the outside. Im sure these cops are nice to black people all the time. But when it comes to INSTINCT, their INSTINCT tells them black = violent/dangerous/aggressor, so without thinking THEY become violent/dangerous/the aggressor. White people are not consistently associated with violence, depravity, poverty, addiction or laziness in our society by the media or TV programming, but due to many things minorities are. The idea of white privilege is racism on an INSTITUTIONAL level, NOT an individual one. Stop taking things so personally and learn to keep your eye on the big picture.
I'm sure Speech would agree with this. This is a small example out of many bigger ones, but it's still shows the ignorance of some people.
Take a walk down the street of any community and ask random white people what rap music is all about and chances are they are mostly going to say it's about "Violence, Drugs and Money!"
I guarantee that's the overall response you will get, but what these same people do not see is that there is positive rap groups/acts that have way more to say.
Case in point, listen to Arrested Development! Then listen to The Roots, NAS, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Kanye West and many, many others!
Do they talk about the street life...absolutely, but they also talk about love, peace, working together. There's sad songs and happy ones. Funny and serious, but for some reason all these people can up with is that they are thugs, gang bangers or drug dealers.
"White Privilege" is real. It doesn't matter where you live, some kind of priviledge is always going to be real. If you were Kurdish, you'd be talking about Sunni or Turkish privilege. A Christian woman in Burma would be talking about male, socialist priviledge and citing sanctioned rape by military officers. If you're a young Muslim in France, it's French privilege. If you lived here in rural Tennessee, you'd talk about how your poor white kids can't get quality teachers in their schools because of "big city" capitalist privilege.
Point is, people suck. They come in all colors, all cultures, and all religions around the world. Truth be told, the American under-privileged class still has it better than 3/4 of the rest of the planet.
The real question is what are you going to do about it? And I don't mean write a glossy article and put yourself in high demand for speaking engagements.
Jesus said the guy that puts his hand on the plow and looks away isn't fit for the kingdom. Don't look to the right or to the left he admonishes us.
In one conversation at the end of the book of John, Peter gets dejected about the difficulty of the path ahead (which included a miserable death), so he turned and asked Jesus, "What about John?"
Jesus said, "What if I want him to live until I return, what business is that of yours? You follow me."
That's the crux of it folks, and it won't win me any brownie points around here I'm sure.
Here's how I feel about White privilege, and I'm not disagreeing with you at all for bringing it up because I see it numbers, in letters, and in person.
White privilege exists, but it's no longer the premier monster in our country. I argue that the premier monster is economic disparity UNDER THE GUISE of racial division. It's as if racism exists as a very real distraction to class struggle, which also really exists. It's like being a hemophiliac with cancer: cancer is the real beast, but until you get the bleeding under control you can't even go into surgery to fix it.
White privilege is like the cloak over the dagger of economic exploitation. I recognize it, but I don't sweat it because I see the dagger and that the dagger is much more harmful. However, I don't IGNORE White privilege, because it does make the dagger more lethal.
It's a very complex issue, but the most important thing is that we see it for what it is and don't pretend it doesn't exist. Only then can we deal with it.
That being said, thanx for keeping us abreast with this write-up! Keep making me proud!
Socratic Bass,
You're crazy! You will NEVER be dissed by suggesting Jesus as the only true answer on this blog! I couldn't agree more! (Brownie Points!!!!!) And I also agree about all the various privileged people in various parts of the world. However, that doesn't ignore the fact that here there is a pervasive white privilege. I never use the bible, nor Jesus to belittle real issues for real peoples lives. Yet I do agree that Jesus is the answer.
Much love
SPEECH
Oh yeah, by the way! To all the Thomas Sowell readers...I have read a few things of his and enjoyed them. But generally he's a knuckle headed, (out of touch, black man with a 100% white perspective) (Which is likely one of the major reasons he's gotten ahead in this society)
But that article (which I read today), misses the point of being into your Roots AND striving for excellence! He says it's either or.
all you need is love. they're all bold as love - lennon/hendrix
love you speech, armando reyes
Word is born>>>>>>>>>>>>>
JME
Thanks for replying. I have been a fan of yours for a long time and I respect you too. I only meant those things aren't true of all white men just the same as some things said about African Americans aren't all true.
I'm just happy that we have the freedom and opportunity to express our thoughts in hopes of provoking true understanding with others.
In God's everlasting love,
your brother,
ANDY
Speech,
You make some valid points. There is certainly a double standard in how things are "spun" depending on whether someone is black or white.
How do we combat it? Can a person be a Republican and NOT be a privileged white? Can a person vote for Obama and be pro-life? Can a person vote for Mccain and be against the war in Iraq? If we don't agree on something does that mean one of us is "right" and one of us is "wrong"?
THAT is the problem that I see in America: "If you don't believe the way that I believe, that means your WRONG." And let's be honest; both sides of the fence are guilty of that attitude.
There has got to be a better way than "We're right and you're wrong". That's why we can't dialogue, because it becomes a debate, which means someone "wins", which means someone "loses". And we are too prideful to admit that we might be wrong sometimes. Especially in our society which has zero tolerance for mistakes. Admitting wrong means you made a mistake which means you're done! We won't allow anyone to change their mind in this country, and we certainly won't allow anyone to make mistakes.
For example, do you think that the Republican Party could call a press conference tomorrow and say, "Well, we've realized that we were wrong about things in Iraq. We're very sorry, and we're beginning to bring troops home immediately"? Would that restore some faith in the Republican Party? What would the reaction of the Democratic Pary be? Would they say, "Great, we're so glad you finally get it! Hooray! The troops are coming home! Good job Republicans!" Because I don't think that's what would happen. The Republican Party would get shalacked, beaten to a pulp, roasted on a spicket, and decimated by the press. In fact, I'd be willing to bet that a good chunk of the press would report that it's just a political move to try to sway voters before the election!
Because we have no honest dialogue and we have no forgiveness or tolerance for mistakes, we force each other to carry on in bad decisions, bad policies, bad positions.
There is no honest dialogue in politics. And there is no honest dialogue even among every day people about difficult subjects like white privilege. I'm a Charles Barkley fan in that regard; I wish we could just speak freely about these subjects without fear of judgement or labeling.
Wow, your posts really get me thinking...
Marc
P.S. I found it curious that you are proud of Barrack Obama for not mentioning white privilege and yet found it necessary to address it yourself.
Hey Marco,
Thanks for writing in.
I post a lot of responses on my blog...
Anywhoo,
I agree that there can be a person who votes for Obama but is Pro-life (I am).
I can praise Bush for taking a stand in helping Africans with AIDS! (Awesome Job BUSH! - Much respect!) I also love how he raised his kids spiritually!
And I can disagree with Democrats on a bunch of issues and still vote for them in an election based on others.
That's what I like about Obama, is he was one of the first that inspired me to try to find our commonalities. I love that when it's possible to do!
About your P.S. comment. I'm not Barack. I'm Speech. I'm NOT running for Public office, I'm running on tread mills trying to lose a few extra pounds. :-) (that was a joke)
I believe in bringing up issues in many forms, whether republican, Democrat, white or black ones.
Check the whole blog, you'll see more than one topic and perspective.
Thanks again brother
SPEECH
Just wanted to say this one last thing.
Thank you Brother Speech for posting this and creating a healthy dialogue for all to speak on.
Gives us all something to think about and do more research on personally.
Mamma
Marc!!
I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciated your post. I know that if the Republican Party (or really anyone in any situation) were to admit to serious mistakes majority of the reactions we would see would not be welcoming. It’s unfair and hypocritical.
You’ve brought up an important point that we all need to remember in our everyday lives. Thanks again =0!
It is real, it exists; to deny it is to be part of the problem. We can only heal and move forward and find a solution when we are able to recognize that a problem exists in the first place.
So what do we DO about it!?
1. Acknowledge that the problem exists; these are very real double standards and we need to put an end to them once and for all.
2. Address it head on whenever and where ever you see it; when you witness these (and countless other) double standards, call people out on their bullshit. Silence is agreement and only serves to perpetuate the problem.
3. Ask yourself how you’d feel; put yourself in another person’s shoes if only for a moment and try to imagine what it must be like. It’s called empathy, try it one time.
4. Appoint leaders who unite instead of divide. Leaders who remind us that we have more common ground than we do differences; leaders who empower us to ignore all the lines and distractions.
“Be the change you wish to see in the world”
It's as good as any... a place to start.
Peace ~ M
Those who suggest White Privilege does not exist are no doubt steeped in it.
Its a global inequity from a dominant Minority race who hold positions of power.
Welcome to the Anglosphere.
As an Aboriginal Australian, can I emphasise how important it is to employ critical thinking into the decision making process when voting - WHY??? - Because the outcome of the US election has global impacts and consequence.
Equally understand that the neo conservatist movements of the center-mid right will continue to shake the foundation of the US - just look at the State of your nation within its foreclosure, recession, global isolation.
THE WHOLE WORLD IS WATCHING.
PEACE
**SAM**
[-0-]
Strong • BLAK • Deadly
BTW, is there any credence to the GOP targeting foreclosure listings and the eligibility to vote based on this status?
It made headlines here in Australia and is an alarming claim, just wondering if there's been an examination of this stateside?
**S**
1. Almost all of the financial problems we see today are based on bad mortgage lending. That would be lending money to people to buy homes who didn't qualify for a loan.
2. The Democrats, under Clinton, strengthened a government-created monster called the "Community Reinvestment Act." This law was then used by "activists" and "community organizers" (like Obama?) to coerce lending institutions to make these bad loans ... millions of them.
3. Now we see what happens when political "wisdom" supplants good loan underwriting. When private financial institutions are virtually forced to make loans to people with a bad credit and job history .. this is what you get. Enjoy it.
The Democrats have offered us a candidate who is very anti-private sector. Obama believes that America is great because of government and those who, like him, deride the profit motive. If Americans are stupid enough to believe his socialist drivel and put him in office .. .then we will get just what we so richly deserve.
right on, jason. socialism at it's best!
...and uhhh some of the fundamentals of socialism are bad because???? [note: there are more than one model of a socialist inspired construct]....what about a mixed economy model to bridge the divide between the haves and have nots? Where is the opportunity/hope/parity for those on the periphery of the GOPs limited dempographic, within and under any of their objectives?
**S**
I'd like to cite another example of the double standard between races...
The now infamous "wardrobe malfunction" during the Superbowl half time show. If Timberlake's skin were anything other than white you can bet your ass he would have been hung out to dry for violence against a woman. Instead, because he is white and Janet is not, she was lambasted by the media and every Tom, Dick, Sally, and Jane for *gasp* "exposing her breast! First of all, she had a pastie covering her nipple (not that it should matter), second, and probably more importantly, Timberlake tore her clothing from her body in order to expose Janet's breast. Whether part of the show as rehearsed or not, Janet should not have been the only one to catch flak for that and Timberlake should not have gotten off scot free. What the little children who were supposedly watching that evening learned is essentially this, if you're a white man, you can tear a woman's clothes off and nothing bad will happen to you. This disturbs me deeply for many reasons, not the least of which is the blatant racism.
Tits and ass are thrust at us in every element of society as are guns and violence and THIS particular instance is what people chose to be outraged about!?
Are you kidding me!?
Another example, and probably not quite as serious but needs pointing out nevertheless simply for its annoying factor. Some parts of Florida have passed laws banning baggy pants and those worn below the ass cheek. Um, when did we decide that we need actual fashion police? And if we are going through with this nonsense then tell me why oh why aren't yuppies (both male and female) thrown in jail for wearing those hideous pink sweaters tied around their shoulders!?!?!? Seriously, if we're going to nit pick on the way people wear their pants then these friggin' sweaters need to go as well!
One word: WHITE
Now I just happen to be white and although I don't personally go for or really understand the pants around the asscheeks... it's not causing me (or anyone else) harm so why regulate it?
Two words: NON-WHITE
Wearing baggy pants does not make a person a criminal or a bad person any more than suppressing and judging people based on appearances makes the world a better place. Just because it's not what I might choose for myself, does not make it wrong for someone else -- provided that what's being done isn't actually affecting anyone else directly or indirectly in a negative way. Here's a tip: If you don't like the way it looks, don't friggin' look!
Peace ~ M
AN ASIDE: If you're going to roam off topic by discussing the current financial crisis you should at least have the good sense to do some actual reading on the subject before spouting off republican talking points which are usually either half truths or outright lies and only serve to further divide and potentially bring down the intelligence level of the people with misinformation.
In simple terms (for those Bush followers): don't discuss issues you clearly do not understand, you only make an ass out of yourself. :o)
Liberals...all emotion and no facts.
asumming people who don't agree w/ obama's socialist agenda don't understand issues, and are bush followers and evil republicans?
now that's spouting off at the mouth and making an ass out of yourself. yet obama kool aid drinkers wonder why they are not ahead in the polls.
Tim Wise's article is a liberal's defense of the party and candidate he supports...Just as there are conservatives who have put out articles in their parties defense. It's all extremely sad.
Here is what is seriously concerning to me...that 'Christians' are sucked into this mess! What concerns me is that 'Christians/Disciples of Jesus' are vocalizing their stances on both sides. I'm appalled at this Blog because I know some of you, and what you're supposed to be about. "We are not of this world" and yet we indulge in the unrighteousness of criticism and worldly thought such as 'white privilege' the same as the world. We have brothers and sisters in the faith wearing Barak Obama t-shirts and who are doing their best to indoctrinate those who come to church or who study the bible...it's subtle...in conversations, on websites, facebook, etc...but still indoctrination. Jesus would be appalled. This is so unlike Christ and so much like the agenda of our society. And you know...we're accepting it. We allow it. We embrace it passionately! I am saddened because we are NOT color blind as we have always claimed. We embrace the 'World'. We embrace it's politics and we are accepting of it's lack of morality.
1 John 4:4
"4You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. 5They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. 6We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood."
There is a spirit that speaks through us...either the spirits that come from the 'world' or the Spirit of God...when you speak out on "white privilege" and politics, which spirit are you speaking on behalf of? These things are NOT God's arena and certainly not Christ's.
Be careful Christians that you are not speaking from the viewpoint of the world... "They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them."
I'm not responding in order to argue for or against whether or not 'White Privilege' is real in our country or not...Maybe it is and maybe it isn't but that's NOT the arena of a Disciple! It's certainly not the arena of an Evangelist, shepherd or Elder of a church.
Is racism real...sure it is but just like all other sin, it's only a symptom of unrighteousness and a symptom of one who lives in this world without the Spirit. The Right Spirit.
Todd's Blog is clearly an attempt to push a political agenda. To bash one candidate and glorify another. This isn't right. It's not right for a 'Christian' to support this kind of thing. Especially a 'Christian' of influence. It may seem like an impossibility, but how could Todd ever truly convert someone like Sarah Palin with his public support of the words written by Mr. Wise? Or even convert supporters of Palin? neutral credibility is gone. Instead of standing for Christ all they would see is that Todd stands for Barak Obama...even if Todd has been vocal about Jesus in his life. Politics is a very personal and passionate part of this society...you cannot serve both...you will end up loving one and hating the other or you will fuse them together so much so that your religion and your politics become one.
I hope that whoever reads this will consider what I'm saying...I express these things in sincerely and in the hopes that true Christians will not get caught up in the 'World', it's politics and the mess that comes with it...We have one mission and it's not to get some politician elected...
Speak to me as a man or woman should, not as anonymous!
You claim with great passion your allegiance to the Lord, well, Jesus spoke directly! Who are YOU?
YOU ooze with judgment and arrogance!
Go ahead, pick up your stone "disciple" and let's see whose side Jesus is on as you attempt to throw it.
NOT unknown, not TODD
I am SPEECH speak to me directly.
i would have to say race has no weight on the issues at all..people come in all size shapes and colors..ive met rude black peaople..and ive met uneducated white people..and vice versa...please keep race out of it this. IT is 2008 and having a black, white, jewish,straight, bi-sexual,athiest,rasta, president isnt the issue...its lets get some one inoffice that can run this damn country ..and get those men and women home! Jon
SPEECH,
i don't disagree with your bulletin about white privilege. all i'm saying is that most "white" people are in the same boat as everybody else. only the rich whites get the privileges u mentioned. and all whites are not rich by any means.
even on sarah palin's pregnant kid, if she was a poor country girl she would be called trailer trash or a whore. see what i'm saying?
think about how u lump "us" together. cuz u kinda sounded like kanye west and i believe u are much more intellectual than that.
also, the president is only a third of our govt. all three branches have to vote yes before anything becomes a law. so i see no real progressive change until all 3 branches are fixed... and when the electoral college is dispanded.
believe me, i want and need this country to change but don't put all of us white eggs in the same basket. i wouldn't do that to you.
plur,
-p-
btw - could u give my songs a listen and tell me what u think? www. myspace. com/lastresortproductions
For Anonymous:
People talk a lot about being in the world, not of the world, etc. etc. I can't say I totally disagree with what you've posted. Jesus did in fact seem pretty disinterested with the politics of his day and the people in power. He focused day in and day out on making a difference where he was. He could have gone to the highest palaces and courts of the land, but he didn't waste his time, because change starts first in our own hearts and then trickles outward.
That said, I do disagree with the idea that Christians are to be a-political. That makes no sense to me, because our primary purpose in life is to glorify God. We do that by revealing his character, image, likeness, and presence in everything we do. I don't exclude voting in the process anymore than I'd exclude attending a MLK, Jr. celebration. It's who we are, it's where we find ourselves, and it demands a response.
I couldn't tell you who I'm voting for this year, and I'm pretty sure that God is up to bigger things in our country than our executive branch of government. But what I can't do is look to one of my Christian brothers and think that somehow he isn't living out God's presence, image, and likeness by urging people to focus on justice.
Peace,
SB
To the anonymous writer at 4:07pm Sept 18
I agree that the gospels don't show Jesus getting involved with politics. They also don’t show his convictions on carpentry. It doesn’t mean he was silent on the issue. It does mean that whatever his views on politics or carpentry it was irrelevant to the biggest issue of all, the gospel. If I wrote the bible, I too would not mention my political views. But this is simply a blog.
And furthermore it’s my personal blog, it bears my name and my name only. It’s not my churches, nor is it my tool to indoctrinate anyone. It is a tool for mature people to TALK, and express ourselves with others of all backgrounds.
I’ve not even told my church members about the blog, because I never want to confuse it with my role in the church. However, I’m not ashamed of the blog. I just see it as a constructive hobby. (like a sport) As far as priorities, it doesn’t compare to the gospel.
Yet I think it’s constructive. I have already met many cool people through this blog and have had many heated discussions turn into peaceful disagreements and even a few have had a change in heart. Viewpoints though different aren’t harmful if they are filled with mutual respect.
I find it disturbing that disciples/Christians find it harmless to get extremely involved in the field of sports, buy the merchandise, miss Sunday leaders meetings in order to see the big game! One could argue that being around scantily clad cheerleaders, certain fans that are drunk & cussing, even an occasional fight or brawl could be perceived as irrelevant to the mission. Is the “Football game” from the spirit? (I think NOT)
Yet, I don’t think sports are worldly activities, although one can be very worldly while participating in them. I simply think it is a passion.
It is legalistic to be intolerant of people’s passion for other things including politics. We are allowed to have opinions. As long as those opinions do not override the scriptures and their commands! Nor have I or would I EVER bring up supporting Barack or McCain in any sermon or service of the LORD! It would be inappropriate.
Bringing up the issue of race or a candidate on a blog is not sin. Nor does the bible ever talk about being colorblind. It does however, talk about showing no favoritism, treating your enemies and neighbors as you would treat yourself.
My conviction is this. I love the church more than anything else! I would take down this blog, if Christians with impure motives continued to distort my opinions and make them out to be the doctrine of the church I help to lead. It would be sad to discontinue this blog; But well worth the loss to uphold the validity of Christ and His movement.
Your brother,
SPEECH
ANON seriously?..."true Christians will not get caught up in the 'World'"
If you wake up every morning and put your hand on your alarm, you are participating in the world.
If you go to the store and buy a loaf of bread, you are contributing to a global economy...and participating in the world.
If you turn on the radio, tv, the computer to connect to the internet to participate in SPEECH's blog....my friend, you are participating in the world.
Does it make you less Christian to do this??? Well that's probably a conversation you need to have with yourself.
As SPEECH has clearly articulated, he's had that conversation and it doesn't waiver his belief or commitment to his GOD. So why would you judge him for what you're clearly self projecting?
Second to note, this is a post up for discussion and debate. SPEECH never wrote those words, nor has he pushed too far in either direction. What he is providing is a table in which everyone, irrospective of race or leanings, can have the opportunity to present their voice, whether it be agreed or agreed to respectfully disagree.
This is an intellectual stadium of sometimes opposing, sometimes agreeing minds, not dissimilar to a sports event. Seldom do we have the capacity to come together amongst our points of difference and from all corners of the world.
For example, I'd hedge a bet that I'm one of the first Aboriginal Australians you may come across and I might be the last. In my being here, perhaps the next time you flick onto Discovery Channel, you may get that we're not all a cultural stereotype. If thats the case, then I would be satisfied.
So keep it up SPEECH! I've participated in other forums which haven't enabled the capacity to actually have a conversation around these topics, so keep it flowing.
Peace
**S**
Hey Speech,
I completely agree with the concept of white privilege. For anyone to deny that is madness. Growing up in NYC, I was often the only white guy in my group of friends and while sales people asked how they could help me, security guards followed my friends. When waitresses asked our orders, I was always first and all group questions automatically went to me. It was/is a undercurrent of every moment and that is in one of the most diverse cities on earth… and there was a lot worse than prejudice taxi drivers for my friends to deal with.
I know white privilege is real , because I am a benefactor of it. I understand where this guy is coming from, but it does feel like demonization to me. I know you don’t want your blog to be about that and you are aiming for a dialog that fosters understanding. So, I am just being honest when I tell you from my point of view, this article (though from an honorable man with a righteous cause) came across as bashing Palin to make a point. I know it is “contrasting” and many of the points are undeniable… but to me, truth isn’t just the facts, but how, when, and to whom you say them. You know?
What kind of privilege is it when the Washington Post prints a cartoon mocking Pentecostal Christians as insane babblers with Palin on the phone with God? What kind of privilege is it when Obama can bring his beautiful two daughter on stage at the DNC and are off limits (thank you Jesus) to the media frenzy but when Palin does her children are called “props” and are fair game? What kind of privilege is it when Charles Gibson asks Obama questions about the kind of man he is and his love of America one month, but then grills Palin on her credentials with journalistic vigor? What kind of privilege is it when MSNBC, CBS, ABC, CNN, NBC, PBS, the CBC, and the BBC show enough bias in favor of Obama that even the liberal comedy writers joke at it, but only Fox is painted as the evil network because they so clearly support McCain? What kind of privilege is it when a Canadian State funded web site can call a loving mother of five a “porn star”, mock her daughter, and call her supporters white trash?
Do you feel where I am coming from? I am not trying to diminish in any way the facts of racism and white privilege, which permeate every aspect of our lives. I am just saying there are grievances on both sides. Still, I can say I see racism as much as I want but I will never know what experiencing it on a daily basis…what it does to a heart, a community, a sense of future and vision and purpose… words fail me. I just don’t think that the answer is in mocking, diminishing, or playing the “gotcha” game with a lady who seems to be a good and Godly woman who may just share different policy views. How can anyone take away anything for all she worked to accomplish, especially when sexism is also a major hurdle in our world today? Maybe you don’t feel that article did that, but after reading it three times now, I do.
Anyway… that is my too long two cents. I love this blog because you take the time to respond and you foster such genuine communication between so many different people. More than that, when some of us (me included) have crossed the line, you drop some serious conviction on us and your choice of words just brings the temperature down… we stop shouting and start listening. I am not trying to flatter you – it is just such a gift. No surprise though… your music has been doing it for years.
Keep fighting the good fight!
Paul Moore
My intention was not to insult you or to be a jerk in any way. As others have done, it was my intention to express myself and what I believe on your blog which is the kind of dialog I thought you would welcome even if you didn't agree.
What we say, what we support and what we communicate as ambassadors of Christ is, as you know, very important. Especially in times like these. Things are so heated in our world right now - there is still racial tension in America and our churches mirror it. Our lives, both personal and in the church are one and the same and can't be separated. When I read this, I didn't think of it as a blog from 'Speech the artist' but rather 'Speech the Disciple of Jesus', because to me that's who you are. I agree with you that it's not a sin to discuss different things, but it seemed as if you were standing behind the words of Tim Wise who is very condescending and judgmental. He says very absolute statements like:
"White privilege is when you can
get pregnant at seventeen like Bristol Palin and EVERYONE is quick to insist that your life and that of your family is a personal matter, and...black & latino families with similar 'challenges' are regularly typified as irresponsible, pathological and arbiters of social decay."
He has taken it upon himself to speak for me and millions of others who don't necessarily take that stance by saying "EVERYONE". It's a divisive statement that is worded in such a way that stirs up racial tension and sympathy for his political agenda. It's only my opinion that when we post articles like Tim Wise's article it could appear that we endorse the mean-spirited and condescending things he says unless we express otherwise. I'm just as concerned about the mean things said in other articles that Christians support regarding Barak Obama.
Maybe 'White Privilege' is a real problem...we should talk about it as Christians, and not make it political or use it to push political agendas, which this blog appears to be doing. Wise could have addressed the issue of 'White Privilege' by putting out an article addressing it respectably with sincere concern and not politically. The photo of the KKK sheet above the article makes the article even more abrasive, as if all those who support McCain/Palin are guilty of supporting 'white privilege' and racism. This was my first impression and my opinion based on seeing and reading this particular blog.
I should have thought through better how I was going to respond. I do respect you and your beautiful family and all your work in the church.
I apologize for coming across arrogant and judgmental and even disrespectful...that was not my intention nor was it my heart. I can see how you might have seen me to be that way. You are my brother and I do love you, but this stuff does scare me when it comes to our faith, especially as we are fighting so hard to be what God wants us to be in our churches and as individuals.
Sincerely,
Your Brother - Jarrod
I also apologize for posting my first response (4:07pm) anonymously. That wasn't fair to you.
To Jarrod!
I remember first meeting you! My thought was a young guy that thinks he knows what he’s talking about! Mr. Big shot! The whitest white man, I had ever met! (smiles) You & your wife are both striking in appearance. The Ken & Barbie of the ministry!
God loves our first impressions…because he takes us on a journey that eventually smashes our preconceived notions and narrow mindsets.
After Larry & Jennifer stopped leading our ministry, I never thought anyone else could make such a difference in my life!
But in comes Jarrod! You taught me the importance of how to have consistent quiet times, in a notebook! ☺ Taught me to check off the calendar days that I had been pure in my struggles against lust! You & Stacy, many of nights, sat with Yolanda & I patiently casting out the demons that wreaked havoc in our young marriage! And to the credit of my spiritual wife, the demons were mostly in ME! ☺
Most of my huge fits of rage, GOD allowed them to be rebuked and corrected through you & Stacy’s wisdom and of course through the power of the scriptures! I have NOT had those fits ever since! (To GOD be the glory!)
We had a great time over your mom’s house, boating, water skiing and well me, just childishly paddling in the shallow waters on the sides. ☺ But those times will always mean a lot to me! Thank you!
There are some people that cross your path, & they make an impression on you, others like you and Stacy made an impact! You both have my respect!
Romans 13:7- Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.
I just want to say, that even our “blog bump” is a testimony to Jesus, the power of humility, the greatness of dialog and speaking the truth in love!
I’m sorry for the generality of the Tim Wise post, I will strive to do better. If we disagree on some trivial issues, it’s to be expected, God’s kingdom is filled with those from all nations, but you are my brother! I LOVE you as I love myself.
And my family would do anything for yours. And I will pass that debt down to my children towards your children!
We have this time on Earth to forgive each other, and strive to repent of our mistakes, we have eternity to laugh about it all! ☺
Your brother,
SPEECH
This may not be the forum in which to say what I'm about to say, but here it goes anyway...Thank you for Speech for your kind words. I sat up last night thinking and began to feel a little guilty about how strong I came across. This morning I sat outside in the cool breeze thinking about you and the man that you are. I didn't give you the benefit of the doubt and for that I apologize. I feel strongly about things...Some I may be right on about and some I may miss the mark on. I think that when I responded to the Tim Wise thing, I was probably just at the cracking point regarding some of the things that I have seen over the past couple of years and felt a need to open my big fat mouth. I reread what I wrote and I did come across arrogant and very judgmental and there is no excuse for that...I still feel strongly about how careful we need to be when it comes to such heated and passionate subjects like politics and issues like racism.
Even as Christians we come from very different experiences and very different backgrounds and we (I) need to be respectful of that.
You are very gentle in how you respond to all the posts and the ironic thing is, the one heated response you had was to me, your brother. I deserved it. I am glad to have this dialog with you and again, apologize for the abrasiveness of (4:07pm). Obviously, I didn't pray for wisdom at 4:06pm about how I would come across.
Stacey and I have always had deep affection for you and Yolanda! Our time with you guys molded us as much as it molded you.
You have and will always have my deepest love and respect.
Oh...and you are absolutely welcome to removed (4:07pm) from the dialog.
Much love,
The whitest white man you've ever met -
Cool Speech, thanks for the response. I get the feeling that this is where things really start to change, right? With people talking about things and thinking things through from a different perspective? I appreciate your honesty and candor.
Keep logging those miles on the treadmill. It really works. I've lost about 25 lbs in the last four months!
Marco B.
Absolutely! I am white and struggling to work 3 jobs to make ends meet for my family. At the same time, I think famous black band members are also quite priveledged as well. I think if you are going to stand up and speak of White Privilege, you must be lumped in a category that doesn't show your privelge. It is an oxymoron. Thank you for your voice though.
I observe white privilege everyday. The fact this country was BUILT upon the oppression of others to benefit the white male protestant, lends us to ask questions of our societal structures and institutions.
We like to act like our doo doo don't stink.
"Get over it, we all pay taxes" is a sad, sad arguement.
Our strives to make laws and business ethics "race free", does not mean the country itself can no longer be a racist one.
Thus brings us to color blind racism...You've often said, "Oh, I don't see white and black, just people" and wanted to mean it. Still, there's total closing of eyes at the very mention of white people taking an alternative point of view.
The white majority often ignores what the black minority points out that is "privilege"...
"I'm struggling too" doesn't take the dynamic(of many societal dynamics)of history away that allowed you to simply "know someone" and get into a great business, or, look "pleasant" enough to get into a club, have a family of "old money". For every "privilege" you attempt to denounce for yourself, you got another one waitin' there for your own comfort to eventually make you "right" over the minority voice. Are you as equal as you say?
One misleading idea is that blacks are 50% population, this is not true. We are 13-15%, which is small. We are still a minority...The most common attempt at validating equality is blacks get "the ability to vote, pay taxes, get a job etc." Of course white people getting to judge "fairness" for another race is a fair idea...Pffffssshhh!!!
Louis C.K. a popular white comedian opened up his show in Atlanta w/ "God I love being white, just being able to go anywhere and as long as I'm dressed okay, I get the best!" Check him out sometime.
Overall black people were enslaved here, the white people wrote all the rules, then "released" us into their system, with gnashing of teeth! We supposed to see a magical 'poof' and we equal? Please people...
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