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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]The first step is to understand that acknowledging white privilege does NOT mean that a white person or their family hasn't had to work in life, like our Irish poster. Let's clear this up:

Larla is white and has had to work hard to get an education, or a job, or pay bills, whatever. Larla thinks that they don't have white privilege because their idea of white privilege is simplistic - they choose to believe that white privilege only refers to white people who are born rich. Larla doesn't notice that she and her family go about their day without extra scrutiny. She taught her children that police officers are always helpers.[b] Their teen daughter got her first job at a cute little boutique and then got a speeding ticket on her way to work but the judge reduced the fine to the minimum [/b]- she's glad that the judge noticed that Larlita comes from a good family. Larla is working hard at two jobs and wants her children to have good lives.

Larlo is black and grew up one town away from Larla. He remembers when he was five years old and was carrying a toy around a Walmart while his mom shopped - his mom got really upset when the lady kept showing up in the same aisle as them. She took the toy away and opened a bag of Goldfish for him to munch on instead, but then that older guy commented that he hopes they intend to pay for that bag. Larlo had to go to ten different stores and fast food places before he finally landed his first job. He's got a good job now but is often given the accounts in the nearby city, not the suburb he lives in. His oldest son was recently pulled over by a police officer for a tail light that burned out - he knew what to do because his dad had given him 'the talk.' He kept his hands on the steering wheel the entire time and was polite but was really upset by the extended conversation that seemed to center on a liquor store robbery - Is he sure he didn't come from that area? There's no alcohol in his car? No guns? No drugs? Where was he coming from again? And his boss would verify that he was at work the whole time? Larlo works hard to give his family a good life and is proud of his son's scholarship.

This is white privilege. It doesn't negate hard work by either party. It doesn't mean that white people have everything handed to them or that all white people are living comfortable lives. It just means that there are many little ways that the daily lives of a white person are smoother than the daily lives of a black person. [/quote]

Not saying these things don't happen, but this is an assumption.  For example:  I am a white woman.  I have received a few tickets in my time--including one for a uturn when I was eight months pregnant and the sign had just been placed there after people had been doing uturns there for years.  I was not given a "bye."  I have never been given a bye on traffic tickets, although I am a careful driver and have only been given a few.  I have a grown white son who received a couple of tickets when he was still at home.  He is a polite  young man--but, no bye.

As for the goldfish in the store.  No one should open a bag in the store--black or white.  I don't say anything to others that do that--but, I always wonder if they intend to pay.

I agree that black people do get targeted and that is a crying shame.  I also agree with a PP who mentioned that he/she hears more racial slurs from minorities than from whites.  
Rioting does not help.  But, I'm seeing more white kids out there than black.  But, no one should make excuses for this.

When this behavior is excused, it is not going to make things better.  All who are throwing things and being destructive should be arrested.  Not encouraged.  Can't help but think that this "give the people space to be angry" is not helpful.

And, it certainly is not going to change the attitude of anyone who is racist.  It is going to make it worse.[/quote]

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