"Privilege is invisible to those who have it" Dr. Michael Kimmel
I too am a white male, early 60's, veteran, masters degree, successful in several careers...and when I was first presented with the concept that I was the beneficiary of white privilege, I was at first offended. I was born in inner city Detroit in 1961, into family headed by an alcoholic, abusive father who couldn't keep a job and forced my brother and I to watch him beat our mom on a regular basis. We moved 14 times in my first 8 years. We were homeless and very poor. Once he left for good in 68, it was my mom who took us out of those conditions. Single mother's in that era had no rights and she had to fight and claw her way out of poverty. She told all 3 of us kids, that nothing would be given - we would have to earn it. My brother and I were the first in our family to graduate from college and we both earned advanced degrees. So when it was suggested that I had white privilege, I was floored. Nothing had been given to me, except a rocky road in life at best.
I was fortunate to have a friend and colleague who was able to reframe my perspective - by virtue of being a white, American male, I was given the keys to the world I just had to open the doors and walk through. While she and her family were of African heritage and carried the weight of discrimination at every step. I didn't earn my lack of discrimination, I was born into it. She opened my eyes to the world in a way I hadn't understood. Afterall, I had lived through the race riots of the 60's and spent most of my life in integrated schools and neighborhoods. I didn't truly experience the racial divide until I moved to Texas in the mid 80's. I was suddenly exposed to building bearing "White Only Entrance" and people who claimed it was part of our history. In my mind the sign belonged in a museum, not a hotel bar in downtown Fort Worth in 1986. Then I encountered actual members of the Klan near Houston, saw monuments to treasonous confederate soldiers, and government systems that openly discriminated against Black, Brown, Asian, and even Indigenous First Nations citizens. To this day, Texas is the poster child for the most despicable expressions of systemic racism, xenophobia, and hatred toward anyone not white, Christian and heterosexual. Now we have an administration that has legislated that hate into law.
I spent 20 plus years in the service to our country under an oath to protect and defend the constitution. I knew who our enemies were and they all came from other countries, mostly under the iron curtain of communism. Now, we face an enemy of fascist oligarchs that have infiltrated our government to the highest levels. They mandate hate and division among neighbors who lack the education and decency to live by the very doctrine that their religion professes.
When I am asked what privilege did I lose my answer is simple - I lost the privilege of living in the country I fought to defend, the country that I lost brothers and sisters who served along side me, the country that was working toward truly embracing diversity, equity, and inclusion. I lost the country I loved and now live in a country that I no longer recognize. A country in which I fear for the safety of my trans-daughter, my grand children, my friends and family of many races and cultures. I lost the privilege of knowing I had safe water to drink, air to breathe, and streets upon which my neighbors can exercise their rights under the law.
I hope that I will live long enough to see the United States returned to the country I love and yet I fear I have lost that privilege as well.
Thank you. My American husband feels exactly the same (I'm Brazilian, we have three kids, two biologically ours, and one adopted, who happens to be black). He describes our family as colorful, and I agree. We add colorful joy to America. May it continue to be so.
I too am not affected by what is going on. But, my cleaner went to Mexico to visit her family last month. I was concerned they wouldn't let her back in. The people who maintain my home have dark brown skin. I'm concerned they won't show up to work because they were detained for no reason. It's just scary out there.
Thank you. 🙏🏻
"Privilege is invisible to those who have it" Dr. Michael Kimmel
I too am a white male, early 60's, veteran, masters degree, successful in several careers...and when I was first presented with the concept that I was the beneficiary of white privilege, I was at first offended. I was born in inner city Detroit in 1961, into family headed by an alcoholic, abusive father who couldn't keep a job and forced my brother and I to watch him beat our mom on a regular basis. We moved 14 times in my first 8 years. We were homeless and very poor. Once he left for good in 68, it was my mom who took us out of those conditions. Single mother's in that era had no rights and she had to fight and claw her way out of poverty. She told all 3 of us kids, that nothing would be given - we would have to earn it. My brother and I were the first in our family to graduate from college and we both earned advanced degrees. So when it was suggested that I had white privilege, I was floored. Nothing had been given to me, except a rocky road in life at best.
I was fortunate to have a friend and colleague who was able to reframe my perspective - by virtue of being a white, American male, I was given the keys to the world I just had to open the doors and walk through. While she and her family were of African heritage and carried the weight of discrimination at every step. I didn't earn my lack of discrimination, I was born into it. She opened my eyes to the world in a way I hadn't understood. Afterall, I had lived through the race riots of the 60's and spent most of my life in integrated schools and neighborhoods. I didn't truly experience the racial divide until I moved to Texas in the mid 80's. I was suddenly exposed to building bearing "White Only Entrance" and people who claimed it was part of our history. In my mind the sign belonged in a museum, not a hotel bar in downtown Fort Worth in 1986. Then I encountered actual members of the Klan near Houston, saw monuments to treasonous confederate soldiers, and government systems that openly discriminated against Black, Brown, Asian, and even Indigenous First Nations citizens. To this day, Texas is the poster child for the most despicable expressions of systemic racism, xenophobia, and hatred toward anyone not white, Christian and heterosexual. Now we have an administration that has legislated that hate into law.
I spent 20 plus years in the service to our country under an oath to protect and defend the constitution. I knew who our enemies were and they all came from other countries, mostly under the iron curtain of communism. Now, we face an enemy of fascist oligarchs that have infiltrated our government to the highest levels. They mandate hate and division among neighbors who lack the education and decency to live by the very doctrine that their religion professes.
When I am asked what privilege did I lose my answer is simple - I lost the privilege of living in the country I fought to defend, the country that I lost brothers and sisters who served along side me, the country that was working toward truly embracing diversity, equity, and inclusion. I lost the country I loved and now live in a country that I no longer recognize. A country in which I fear for the safety of my trans-daughter, my grand children, my friends and family of many races and cultures. I lost the privilege of knowing I had safe water to drink, air to breathe, and streets upon which my neighbors can exercise their rights under the law.
I hope that I will live long enough to see the United States returned to the country I love and yet I fear I have lost that privilege as well.
Peace all.
Wow! Well said sir! Thank you for sharing your experience. ❤️
Bravo! Well said. Thank you.
And today this pops up --
https://www.erininthemorning.com/p/fascismnew-federal-rule-would-require?utm_source=substack&publication_id=994764&post_id=201151515&utm_medium=email&utm_content=share&utm_campaign=email-share&triggerShare=true&isFreemail=true&r=172omo&triedRedirect=true
It never ceases with these people
Excellent post, full of valid information presented calmly and forthrightly. Thank you.
Yes, absolutely. But what food pairs best with this topic? 🤪 (Already got the bidet, so no worries there.)
Bob, I've had a bidet for years and I'm totally spoiled. I don't like to travel because most hotels don't have them. They should.
lol
Thank you. My American husband feels exactly the same (I'm Brazilian, we have three kids, two biologically ours, and one adopted, who happens to be black). He describes our family as colorful, and I agree. We add colorful joy to America. May it continue to be so.
I too am not affected by what is going on. But, my cleaner went to Mexico to visit her family last month. I was concerned they wouldn't let her back in. The people who maintain my home have dark brown skin. I'm concerned they won't show up to work because they were detained for no reason. It's just scary out there.