IS THERE REALLY WHITE PRIVILEGE/SUPREMACY?

White privilege means that whites have an advantage in life and society over blacks and other people of color. White supremacy means that whites are superior and should be dominant over the other races.

For the sake of argument, let’s assume that “white privilege”  and “white supremacy” are real current phenomena.  Obviously, they were real in the past.  What can and does society and individuals do about it, if anything?  First, I believe, it’s necessary to acknowledge that it’s unfair.  Then, of course, it’s important to determine if there’s anything that can be done to correct the situation.  Here’s my analysis of the “white privilege”  and “white supremacy” issues:

Life is not fair: some people are tall (an advantage), some people are fat (a disadvantage).  some ugly (a disadvantage), some good-looking (an advantage), etc., etc.  Since skin color cannot be easily changed,  minorities must overcome any disadvantages and everyone needs to be aware of any bias they might have against others.   I know from personal experience that my physical appearance kept me from achieving my full potential and that my great parents and Ivy League education helped prepare me to mostly overcome my half-paralyzed face, closed left eye and very poor equilibrium that my first brain tumor left me with.  In addition, I  had to learn that I must work hard in order to overcome the stereotype that my particular physical handicaps portrayed of me.

On the other hand, though much less common, being black is sometimes an advantage.  President Obama was elected President after serving only two years as a U.S. senator with no managerial, business, or military experience.  This was previously unheard of!  Why?  White guilt! (see Shelby Steele’s book, White Guilt, published 2 years before Obama was elected President).  Moreover, Affirmative Action helps anyone of color, even members of wealthy African-American families. Is that fair to the very poor of any race or nationality?  Therefore, shouldn’t Affirmative Action be revised to only help the poor of any race?

I believe that government can only do so much to correct the unfairness of life and that in attempting to do so, it often makes things far worse for the people it is trying to help, through unintended consequences.  Good intentions count for nothing, except in politics where it’s used for propaganda.  Only results really matter!

Just one example should prove my point: prior to the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act  (ADA), about 29% of the disabled were employed.  When last I checked a few years ago, about 21% were employed.  Why?  Due to the ADA, it’s nearly impossible to fire someone who is disabled, so employers try not to hire them in order to avoid not being able to fire them if they don’t work out.

There is some solace to the unfairness of white privilege and white supremacy, as well as other unfair things that life throws in our paths: success is that much sweeter when we overcome and prevail despite obstacles!