Week 4: Pre-Reading Responses

- A privilege is a special right or an advantage that one could have that no one else, or very few also have. For example, it’s believed that the rich have the privilege of having people’s “benefit of the doubt” in situations most people wouldn’t. In most cases, the rich would never be suspected of doing anything criminal. If they were shopping, they would be greeted nicely and asked if they needed help. However, if someone didn’t appear as rich looking, then when they shop they might be spied on or have the store keeper constantly beside them because they don’t have the benefit of the doubt. Because they are poor, they must steal.

- White privilege: The privileges that those of the white race have.

- Structural inequality: Inequality that can be found in society’s structure.

- Advantage/Disadvantage: An Advantage is simply that—an advantage. It’s something that gives one person more of an edge, or a better position than others. Disadvantage, simply put, is the opposite of advantage. A disadvantage is something that puts one person in a worse position than others.

- I would define racism as discrimination of someone because they are a certain race.  I do think that racism can be linked to my definition of privilege. After all, I see examples of where being of a certain race can make one more privileged than another person who is of another race. For take example, if you were to my shopping example, one group would come out more privileged than the other. For instance,  whether we may like to admit or not, someone who was black would be suspected of stealing far more often than someone who had a white skin color. Those who are white are often given the priviliege of having the “benefit of the doubt.” .

-I believe that people of color can be racist as well. Although quite often many people believe that only whites are racist against blacks, it’s not true. Racism goes both ways. Racism is discrimination, and I know lots of people, both of color and who are white, who discriminate others because of the color of their skin. Unfortunately, I have met a few people of color who constantly state that all white people are evil, that even if they smile, it’s because they want something from you. Truthfully, I find this to be racist because they are discriminating those who are white and who could very well be the most un-evil person on the planet.

- Compared to colonial America, I think racism is less extreme, at least it is physically. Back then, blacks were kept as slaves and were beaten and tortured. Although there may still be cases of physical harm, most of it can be seen in the work force, or by looking at demographics of the average income by race, etc.

Word Count: 472