Tim Wise Reflection

http://hwww.exactitudes.nl/

o Tim Wise provided a view of privilege that he believes to be present throughout many functions in life. He talked about housing, job opportunities and education, all of which society depends upon to succeed within the mass conceptualized idea of the American dream. My previous views of privilege reflected my naiveté toward racial discrimination; I focused more on my lack of privilege that is reflected by my gender. However, I realize now that privilege does not rest solely on the issue of who one-upped the other, it goes much deeper than that. Privilege has another definition, one seen in material wealth, intellectual surroundings and positive motivation.
Wealth is such a commodity in today’s society. Without money, you cannot attend college, buy a new coat every winter or fix the kitchen window that chills the house’s temperature during the snowy months. Wealth is a privilege that many people take for granted. For many Americans, securing a household and establishing assets is not a the top of the priority list; instead it’s more meager solutions, such as struggling to pay for child care after working 40 hour weeks, let alone saving money for your child’s education.
Without the inspiration of my mother I would not have the sound mind I possess today. It was a privilege for me to grow up around people who were smart and achieved prestigious careers. For some people, that fact is not a reality. Growing up in the slums, surrounded by meth-heads, violence and poverty is not something one wishes for, it is a situation in which one deals with.
Positive motivation, in relation to privilege, can be described more as a solution. Privilege is a factual matter, in simple definition and in large, but it evolves as people evolve. Wise spoke about a black man who struggled to move up the business ladder, but with patience and diligence, he succeeded where many gave-up.
o I do not fully understand how the media uses privilege in media representation. White people are in the majority, thus there are many more white couples brushing their teeth with Colgate than there are black couples, which could be deemed unfair. I suppose media exposure to some racial groups is less, or that stereotypes are played out. One form of privilege that stands out is the white male dominance on the television. However, with the expanding availability of news information, the selection enlarges and people can subjectively select where their news comes from.
o I do not think society still believes in the one-drop rule. Our society is progressive and intelligent. I would assume those that still believe in it are over the age of 60. Thankfully, the youth and majority of the adults today realize the idiocy behind that idea.
o I agree with Tatum in that society does have the responsibility of advanced knowledge. Wise states that it is our job to seek new knowledge, but in order to utilize that knowledge one must understand it. Privilege is an issue many people don’t think about, or understand. My roommate looked at me when I mentioned white privilege and said, “now what is that, Amanda,” with a grin and eyes full of disbelief. It is not that we, as a society, have to change it right now, it is that we have to understand that working together towards a common goal is ultimately how we can achieve equality. America has become the melting pot of the world, combining cultures and people, who are all striving together towards the American dream. Unity, in this form, will only arise when knowledge and tolerance are adorned.

http://ethics.sandiego.edu/theories/Race/index.asp