Wisconsin's "White Privilege" Wristbands

[Shady]

Why wristbands though? Was a scarlett letter not good enough?

[kimmy]

Exactly. Why is she involved in this at all? Who gave her this authority? Parents and students?

Other than somebody using her quote on their website, she isn't involved.

-k

[scribblet]

Not sure why you feel bad about this, or feel guilty - but that's your business. I'm not sure why we're supposed to care about how all of you all feel, for that matter. Would you rather we all be so "sensitive" to your race, so as to not "offend" ? Isn't that a double standard too then ?

I say, don't be afraid of the truth. If you feel so guilty about it yourself, then figure that out privately.

No idea what you are going on about, I don't feel guilty about anything.

[Michael Hardner]

No idea what you are going on about, I don't feel guilty about anything.

Ok, well you do feel bad in some respect - so I say you should manage your emotional state. Managing what is talked about in public is probably not a realistic option for you.

[Shady]

Ok, well you do feel bad in some respect - so I say you should manage your emotional state. Managing what is talked about in public is probably not a realistic option for you.

What in the world are you talking about???

[Michael Hardner]

What in the world are you talking about???

What I am getting from this thread is that some people feel resentful, guilty or other negative emotions when faced with the fact of African American disadvantage in American life. They seem to be suggesting we don't talk about such things.

That's what I am getting from it.

[eyeball]

Why wristbands though? Was a scarlett letter not good enough?

Why not wristbands? Just slide the thing up your arm 14 inches or so and voila, now you're proud to be white.

[bush_cheney2004]

What I am getting from this thread is that some people feel resentful, guilty or other negative emotions when faced with the fact of African American disadvantage in American life. They seem to be suggesting we don't talk about such things.

The whole thread is comical to this "African American".....the elitist "white privilege" guilt concept applies to more than just 'blacks' in America. What color band do you want for 'white' Canadians ?

[kimmy]

What I am getting from this thread is that some people feel resentful, guilty or other negative emotions when faced with the fact of African American disadvantage in American life. They seem to be suggesting we don't talk about such things.

That's what I am getting from it.

Are the advantages from being "white", or from being "not African American"? Maybe everybody except African Americans should have to wear an arm band?

I vaguely recall seeing statistics indicating that black people who have immigrated to America from other countries fare better economically than black people born in America. It could be that the issue is not in how America views black people, but rather something culturally specific to American black people.

-k

[Michael Hardner]

The whole thread is comical to this "African American".....the elitist "white privilege" guilt concept applies to more than just 'blacks' in America. What color band do you want for 'white' Canadians ?

I don't think the concept should be any different. I agree with you, though, that it's comical for people to feel bad for something they have nothing to do with and yet seem to want to squash discussion. It's all very strange to me.

[Michael Hardner]

Are the advantages from being "white", or from being "not African American"? Maybe everybody except African Americans should have to wear an arm band?

I vaguely recall seeing statistics indicating that black people who have immigrated to America from other countries fare better economically than black people born in America. It could be that the issue is not in how America views black people, but rather something culturally specific to American black people.

-k

Right - I submit that slavery might be the 'secret sauce' in this recipe - but who cares ? Those who resent talking about race, or who feel guilty seem to be the white ones. They don't want to know "why" and I'm not sure we can find that out anyway. Let's focus on solutions, as has been stated.

If people want to whimper about their feelings, I'm sure there are super-liberal forums that will admit them !

[eyeball]

There's clearly something more specific like wealth and power than race going on when it comes to privilege in this day and age.

I'm surprised those who resent talking about that don't call for wrist-bands that signify ideology.

[betsy]

Try suggesting any other race to wear a band that marginalize them and let's see where you'll end up!

[bush_cheney2004]

I don't think the concept should be any different. I agree with you, though, that it's comical for people to feel bad for something they have nothing to do with and yet seem to want to squash discussion. It's all very strange to me.

If it makes you feel any better, we use to wear white wristbands while playing basketball back in the 70's and 80's.....to demonstrate "African American" advantage in the NBA !

Edited March 24, 2013 by bush_cheney2004

[bush_cheney2004]

Right - I submit that slavery might be the 'secret sauce' in this recipe - but who cares ? Those who resent talking about race, or who feel guilty seem to be the white ones. They don't want to know "why" and I'm not sure we can find that out anyway. Let's focus on solutions, as has been stated.

Race is a social construct that would exist regardless of historical slavery in Canada or the U.S.

If people want to whimper about their feelings, I'm sure there are super-liberal forums that will admit them !

Fine, but get off the 'African American' kick and broaden the elitist horizon.

Edited March 24, 2013 by bush_cheney2004

[betsy]

Why don't we turn the tables around? Those who feel they're under-privileged wear the white band.

Edited March 24, 2013 by betsy

[bush_cheney2004]

Why don't we turn the tables around? Those who feel they're under-privileged wear the white band.

I wear white undershorts, defiantly protesting in silence against my white oppressors !

[Michael Hardner]

If it makes you feel any better, we use to wear white wristbands while playing basketball back in the 70's and 80's.....to demonstrate "African American" advantage in the NBA !

I already felt fine,but - yes this bit of trivia did make me feel better.

[g_bambino]

What I am getting from this thread is that some people feel resentful, guilty or other negative emotions when faced with the fact of African American disadvantage in American life. They seem to be suggesting we don't talk about such things.

Having read through the thread, I don't see that. Rather than being upset by anything being said at all about the state of many African Americans' lives, they seem more perturbed by what's being said (i.e. "white" people are privileged because they are "white" and, being in the privileged position, deny it to "black" people because they are "black" and every other race just doesn't exist) and what isn't being allowed to be said (i.e. anything that questions that white guilt orthodoxy).

[Michael Hardner]

Race is a social construct that would exist regardless of historical slavery in Canada or the U.S.

Agreed. And that also helps to explain why we don't talk about every race in this regard, only those whom we "constructed" at some time to be inferior.

Fine, but get off the 'African American' kick and broaden the elitist horizon.

Fair enough - whom should we add to the recipe ? You have an advantage over me in pondering this question, because you are African American yourself - but I don't feel bad about that.

[Michael Hardner]

Why don't we turn the tables around? Those who feel they're under-privileged wear the white band.

You really need to think about posts like this. For example - can you think of other situations where disadvantaged people were forced to identify themselves to the majority, in fairly recent history ?

Think about it.

[Michael Hardner]

I wear white undershorts, defiantly protesting in silence against my white oppressors !

I applaud your efforts, however Betsy would have you wear them OVER your pants, I think.

[Michael Hardner]

Having read through the thread, I don't see that. Rather than being upset by anything being said at all about the state of many African Americans' lives, they seem more perturbed by what's being said (i.e. "white" people are privileged because they are "white" and, being in the privileged position, deny it to "black" people because they are "black" and every other race just doesn't exist) and what isn't being allowed to be said (i.e. anything that questions that white guilt orthodoxy).

You're inferring the conclusion that whites are being blamed, first of all. You're also inferring that that's why they feel "bad" about the situation.

I don't know why they feel bad. I suppose I feel sorry for them somewhat (I'm a bleeding heart, after all ) but they really should work out their problems on their own. The same types of people complain about PC thought and those who are afraid to 'offend' people, so what's good for the PC goose is good for the racist gander, as it were.

[TimG]

Such an oversimplification. One is testing for cause, another for effect. Not all testing is equal, of course.There's nothing new there.

You are trying to make up distinctions that do not exist. In both cases you have people collecting and using meaningless aggregate statistics to advance a political POV. In the case of IQs you don't like the POV but in the case of poverty stats you do like the POV. I believe the word to describe your position is special pleading.

[TimG]

What I am getting from this thread is that some people feel resentful, guilty or other negative emotions when faced with the fact of African American disadvantage in American life. They seem to be suggesting we don't talk about such things.

You are completely missing the point. By singling out whites the advocates are implicitly blaming whites for the difference meaningless aggregate statistics. They are implying that there is a causal relationship between being black and being disadvantaged just like others have claimed their is a causal relationship between being black and having lower IQs.

It is this nonsensical causal relationship which people object to. Not the the stats themselves.

Edited March 24, 2013 by TimG