Sunday, November 2, 2014
White "Guilt"
I'm a privileged white male. I was born into a well off family in a very prestigious suburb in south eastern Michigan. Being born a white male was no choice, it just happened. Just like I didn't choose for white people to start slavery years ago; just like I don't discriminate against women nor did I tell any other man to. In class the words "white standards" and "male ideals" are thrown around quite often, and with more scorn than you might realize. When you say that those are just the way "white people" see things, you're being a bit general, and dare I say racist. Yes I can see the sideways glances thrown my way because I am white and a guy. I can hear the accusatory undertone in your voice. I didn't choose for other whites to be bigoted, or to oppress women. All I'm asking is that when you continue to discuss how white men throughout history have been so terrible, you stop looking at me as if I'm one of them. You might not notice it but I am sure that the one other Caucasian male in the class knows what I mean because we've talked about it. It is hurtful, to be generalized for what others have done. "There are inequalities everywhere." (Williams) In his article Williams talks about how facts regarding women's and men's pay being unequal are used frequently but they are false and incomplete. "A study shows that female doctors earn only 64 percent of what male doctors earn. But it turns out that only 16 percent of surgeons are women, whereas 50 percent of pediatricians are women. Even though surgeons have put in many more years of education and training than pediatricians and earn higher pay" (Williams) It is assumptions like these that hurt men. The first everyone blames is the white men and it is tiring, so please stop blaming me for the "standards of white men." I just want to not feel threatened while sitting in class, as does everyone else. So please stop pretending like I'm such a bad guy, just because of what other white people did in the past. Williams Article
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Nice post,
ReplyDeleteI guess that a lot of the time when people refer to an evil, they causally throw around the name of who they think the sinner to be with little regard for how they feel, because "they're in the wrong." I felt similarly, although less personally, about the scarlet letter and talking about the puritans because I come from a staunchly conservative Christian background, and when people would make blaise calls about "what the puritans thought," without evidence, I would react.
Is that a real Peanuts sketch? I'm pretty sure it isn't.
It's not a real Peanuts drawing but it gets the message across. But it isn't real.
DeleteI think that in this situation white guys have it tougher than white girls. People are more willing to pin the blame on boys than girls in many situations. It also bugs me that you don't completely comfortable in class. We talk about race to gain a greater understanding and you should not feel attacked in any way.
ReplyDeleteI suppose I should say that it's not so much uncomfortable as I feel accused. Sometimes it's as if I'm being blamed I feel. That's what I mean to say.
ReplyDeleteYour post gives a perspective on racism that would otherwise be ignored by society, since whites tend to be generalized as acting terrible towards other races, and I presume that this generalization supports the stereotyping of whites.
ReplyDeleteMatt,
ReplyDeleteYour post is very interesting. I think a lot of people need to realize that white males' perspectives back during the time period the book was written are not necessarily the same as yours. People should have to find individuals to blame for the past discrimination against others.
Matt, we are discussing the novel in the 1940s. We have not discussed white male privilege in The Bluest Eye in the 21st century. Make sure to keep the historical context clear.
ReplyDeleteI understand that during the time period, whites did have prejudices and were typically racist. I'm trying to convey that during class it feels as if I am being blamed for the actions of those in the past and that is what I would like to have be taken from this post.
DeleteIt is interesting that you feel like you are personally being blamed for Sherman Alexie's persecution or for any persecution Toni Morrison may have felt. Perhaps we need to discuss this further privately.
DeleteI just feel that sometimes during class a passive-aggressive nature is present. I simply want to point out to the class that while they talk about these standards it sometimes feels as if I'm being attacked or grouped in with those who share my skin color and in the past and have oppressed others. I just want to point out that while I'm sure they don't mean to, the class sometimes feels accusatory towards me for the actions I have nothing to do with.
DeleteI suppose those who make you feel uncomfortable believe that a race should be punished for the actions of its ancestors. That idea is fundamentally flawed because and ancestor and its descendant are completely different people. Even fathers/mothers and their children are completely different kinds of people. It is normal to feel anger in regards to the historical treatment of your race, however, it is not right to think that such treatment should be reciprocated.
ReplyDeleteI too tend to feel a passive aggressive attitude towards myself, and like you, understand the past, but want to look toward the future. I know that white males have done terrible things and oppressed many, but time has passed and this is not nearly as prevalent. We should not forget the past, but not should we dwell on it.
ReplyDeleteAlso, you got a comment from Ms. Valentino aka you did something big.