Caucasity

According to Peggy McIntosh, whites in Western societies enjoy advantages that non-whites do not experience, as "an invisible package of unearned assets".White privilege denotes both obvious and less obvious passive advantages that white people may not recognize they have, which distinguishes it from overt bias or prejudice. These include cultural affirmations of one's own worth; presumed greater social status; and freedom to move, buy, work, play, and speak freely. The effects can be seen in professional, educational, and personal contexts. The concept of white privilege also implies the right to assume the universality of one's own experiences, marking others as different or exceptional while perceiving oneself as normal.

WHITEPRIVILEGE

I watched this documentary with a friend, and all I could utter was: 'The fucking caucasity of it all!' every time some fuckery (especially those white Republican women in California) was taking place on screen. Because really, it's all about how white people deny (yep, on camera) that there is race disparity in America. Chelsea Handler says many things that are definitely true during the documentary but the one that rings more true and urgent to me is that she says something to encompass that idea that white people usually charge black people with the chore of explaining what racism is. And that's not a black person's burden. That's a white person's burden. Racism comes FROM white people.

Because racism is born in white communities and is propagated by white people, it's not even logical that black people be tasked with the duty of convincing white people that racism is a thing. All you have to do is watch this documentary and see and hear white people categorically denying that there is anything close to racism in America and that black people should just 'get over' the fact that they were enslaved because that happened 'a long time ago'. All of this while wallowing in their privilege and sense of entitlement. It's mind boggling.

There are some moments that are really striking and I imagine that those will vary from person to person, depending on how they see race and how they have experienced or witnessed racism throughout their lives. All I have to say is that Chelsea does make some very incisive and thought-provoking points and this documentary should be used to start conversations amongst white people about racism. Frankly, black people do not need to talk to white people about racism because black people are living it every day of their lives. Chelsea, to her credit, recognizes and explains her privilege and even tries to explain it to other white people, who usually shrug her off without a second thought (also, the comments on this youtube video are nauseating, but that only reinforces my point).

So, if you have Netflix, and just happen to be as white as Chelsea, watch 'Hello, Privilege, it's Me, Chelsea". If you don't have Netflix, call your friends and have a viewing party. I am certain that you will hear some things that will surprise you. Some for good, some for bad. And iff you are feeling really adventurous and especially cunty, watch it during Thanksgiving. Your Republican relatives will leave the house at the speed of light and you'll kill two birds with one stone: less Repugs, more understanding.

Happy viewing!

XOXO