White Privilege: Understanding the Systemic Inequities in American Society
White privilege, a term that has gained significant traction in recent years, refers to the unearned advantages that white people receive in a society that is structured unfairly. In the United States, white privilege is deeply rooted in the country's history of systemic racism and discrimination.
Historical Context and Education
The United States was founded and built by white men, a fact that often goes unacknowledged in discussions of modern privilege. The U.S. has a history that is largely centered around the experiences and perspectives of white individuals, from its founding to the present day. Slavery, a practice that lasted for over 250 years, and systemic racism have been woven into the very fabric of American society.
From the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to other legislative measures such as the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1986 and the 1994 Crime Bill, efforts to dismantle these systemic inequalities have been both incomplete and ineffective. Many of the laws meant to end segregation and discrimination have inadvertently targeted black communities, perpetuating the very problems they aimed to solve.
Segregation and Discrimination: Redlining and Beyond
The National Housing Act of 1934, for instance, was supposed to help create a more prosperous and equitable society. Instead, it led to the creation of segregated ghettos and practices known as redlining. This policy resulted in discriminatory lending practices that denied loans to African Americans, effectively ensuring their continued economic marginalization.
Around 98% of all African American loan applicants were denied these loans, despite the promise of opportunities provided by the GI Bill and the 40 acres and a mule following the Civil War. These black veterans, like many others, faced systemic barriers that prevented them from accessing the same rights and opportunities as their white counterparts.
The consequences of these discriminatory policies can still be seen today in many American cities. Detroit, Baltimore, Los Angeles, St. Louis, Norfolk, Nashville, Dallas, Houston, and Atlanta, among over 260 cities, continue to struggle with poverty, crime, and lack of resources, issues that many attribute to the black community, rather than the ongoing impacts of systemic racism. This is, in large part, due to the continued existence of segregated communities and the discriminatory practices that led to their creation.
Reagan Administration and the Crack Epidemic
The Reagan Administration played a significant role in perpetuating the current social and economic conditions in these areas. The crack epidemic in the 1980s, which had its roots in Los Angeles, was not just a result of drug abuse, but rather a deliberate policy to create panic among white communities and divert resources toward law enforcement, further entrenching social unrest and racial division.
White Privilege and the System
The concept of white privilege is not meant as a personal attack. It is an objective observation about systemic inequalities that have been built into the fabric of American society. The closer one is to being a white, able-bodied, heterosexual Christian, cis-male with a college education and wealth, the more likely they are to benefit from white privilege.
This privilege is the byproduct of 189 years of systemic racism, with roots that stretch back to slavery and continue to impact modern society. While many white Americans are not directly responsible for historical actions, understanding and addressing these issues is crucial in building a more equitable society.
As we move forward, it is essential to recognize these systemic issues and work towards creating a more just and inclusive society that embraces all individuals, regardless of their race, gender, or socioeconomic status.