White Skin Privilege Myth

Words: 1012
Pages: 5

To claim that white skin privilege is a myth is neglecting to unveil the layers of reparations made to efface the wrongs of the past, and essentially disregarding the current social injustice that has impeded any hopes for social reconstruction and progression. For any hope of progression, the ideology must be ascertained as real to those who perceive it as a myth. When taking a deeper look at the term “White skin privilege,” the ambiguity and different connotations attached to its definition has taken away from its validity. Those who know little about the term, (know little about “privilege” itself) find attaching a color to the word “privilege” presumptuous; therefore, are more inclined to assert it as a myth. White skin privilege, specifically, …show more content…
Teacher and writer and activist Paul Kivel has maintained that the benefits white receive and the non-whites are often deprived of are better residential choice, education opportunities, and police protection (D’Angelo 2009). Kivel’s assertion parallels my thoughts on the issue of white privilege. As I mentioned before, renouncing the existence of white skin privilege is overlooking the current examples that evince its existence. Economic inequity and education opportunities, are all evidence of the white skin privilege, and by overlooking them, we are not only dispelling the existence of the white skin privilege, but we are also deemphasizing its significant impact on …show more content…
White skin privilege rendered non-white individuals from obtaining an equal amount of opportunities. That essentially outlines the issue of racial inequality. As Kivel asserted, whites are given some benefits. The benefits expand to better living spaces, police protection, and education opportunities. Statistics from the article “Students of Color Still Receiving Unequal Education” show the drastic trends in schools holding nonwhite kids and the amount of money received compared to predominantly white schools. The mind-boggling numbers further evince the reality behind white skin privilege. By examining the text, and analyzing the assertions made by Kivel and Wise (to separate sides to an argument), I can attest that white skin privilege is not a myth, but a microcosmic issue to racial inequality. It is imperative that we perceive white skin privilege as a valid concept. Relying on the civil right reforms of the past will leave us stagnant; no change or progression will transpire if we attach the stigma that minorities playing the race card when referring to white skin