New Ad Campaign Takes Aim At White Privilege, Says It’s ‘Unfair’ to Be White
Privilege. We talk about it quite a bit here on Clutch. White privilege, male privilege, middle-class black privilege, cisgender privilege—these are phrases we know well. While some argue over the validity of such privileges, a new campaign supported by the University of Minnesota-Duluth is taking aim at one in particular: White privilege.
According to the Un-Fair Campaign, racism won’t magically go away if we ignore it and white folks play a huge role in eradicating racial discrimination. The campaign aims to educate white people about the inherent privilege they possess and get them to recognize that ethnic minorities aren’t afford the same rights because they aren’t cloaked in white skin.
While the goal of the Un-Fair Campaign seems admirable, its critics have called it racist. But the University is unmoved. The Duluth chancellor issued a statement saying he supports the campaign because it will help “create an inclusive campus climate for all.”
Another supporter of the campaign is author and anti-racism activist Tim Wise who often challenges whites to examine their racial biases. Two years ago, Wise became a sensation when his “Letter to the White Right” went viral. In the letter Wise had a warning for paranoid white folks:
“For all y’all rich folks, enjoy that champagne. And for y’all a bit lower on the economic scale, enjoy your Pabst Blue Ribbon. Whatever the case and whatever your economic station know this – You need to drink up, and quickly and heavily because your time is limited.”
The Un-Fair Campaign has released a series of PSAs and videos of white folks discussing their privilege and when they realized something wasn’t quite right.
What do you think of the Un-Fair Campaign’s attempt to educate white folks on white privilege?
Enough….Racism in any form against anyone is wrong. This is shameful. Let them know how you feel.
http://www.facebook.com/BoycottTheUniversityOfMinnesota
what color are you mike?
James, Hahahaha! We all know the answer to that one. I would suggest looking at the background of the page for a hint though.
Hurts you guys when someone earns it doesn’t it. Being white is no more of an advantage than being any other color. Stop living in the past and start doing, and before you start telling me how its not true explain out black president.
“Being white is no more of an advantage than being any other color”
so whites have more because they are just better?
“Hurts you guys when someone earns it doesn’t it”
so white people earn what they have and black people do not?
it ‘hurts” us to see white people ‘earn it’?
I would never apologize for being born white. And I won’t feel guilty about the privelege that comes with. All I can do is treat everyone I meet as an individual and be kind to all unless I’m given reason not to. I can’t shed my privelege any more than I can shed my skin. No one can. All one can control are one’s own actions.
“I can’t shed my privilege any more than I can shed my skin”
you could if you wanted to but you don’t want to.
white people want to accept every privilege and benefit of being white while at the same time claiming to not be racist. you want it both ways.
sorry.
you get the benefits of a racist system that makes you a racist.
wrong james.. this is straight racism and it will be shutdown. period.
Tell me exactly how I could shed privelege when it’s given to me unbidden by others? Should I turn down a job because maybe it’s possible I got it because I’m white? Should I tell retail workers to follow me around just like they do black customers? Should I turn down a bank loan? What would make you happy? Because that’s what’s REALLY important here.
Stop resenting me because I was born white. It’s nonsensical and hateful.
I can no more shed my white privelege than you can shed the privelege you have in the world for being a man. So don’t you dare tell me what I want and don’t want and what I can and can’t do. Good day, sir.
Can you/will you chop off an arm just to experience not have able-bodied privilege? Can you change where you were born, to a third world country? Are you Superman? A person could never completely shed all of their privileges. Unless you are Michael Jackson. They can, however acknowledge it TO A CERTAIN degree. Some people know they are privileged but do not know just how privileged they are.
“Tell me exactly how I could shed privilege when it’s given to me unbidden by others?”
i can tell you that the most important step is to shed your denial. get real.
you are where you are because you are white. deal with it.
Shed what denial? Did I ever deny that white privelege exists? No, I did not. I said that it’s impossible to shed a privelege that is given to you by society. And as for your assessment that I’m only a successful person because I’m white, that seems to say a lot more about you than it does about me. You’re a bitter, prejudiced old man. And as a I already stated, I’ll shed the privelege of being white the second you shed the privelege of being a straight, able-bodied man. That’s fine. I’ll wait…
You don’t have to be racist to benefit from racism…you can however turn a blind eye to it and say that it is not your problem…I actually would respect straight up racists better than passive white people..I will never, ever have a close white friend. And still don’t understand why a white woman frequents this site..its a free country I guess..for some of us.
“I said that it’s impossible to shed a privilege that is given to you by society”
change society…..and the first step to doing that is admit there is a problem
You’re both amazing. Just keep on hating and have a nice day.
Sweet heavenly mercies!!
@ Ms.Info
I have to respectfully disagree with your stance about a white girl frequenting and commenting on this site. This publication of course is FUBU, BUT her voice should not be locked out on the premise of her color. I actually like her contributions, as they not only add to the conversation, but add on to the commentating diversity. In any case, she probably is learning a whole lot about us, our likes, dislikes, nuances, etc. etc. Oh well, just me thoughts!!
“Just keep on hating”
let me get this straight : we get slaved, colonized, have our resources stolen, discriminated, lynched and end up in section eight. and you call US haters?
“We” get colonized, lynched, blah blah blaaaaahhhhhh” . Who, exactly, is “we”? If YOU were enslaved, James, you are the oldest man on record.
@ African Mami…I for the life of me cannot figure out why someone who constantly sees positive images of themselves on magazines, television..all form of media finds her self here, amongst black women with totally different struggles..I don’t care what she thinks …I have to listen to that everyday whether I want to or not…I have to see her image whether I want to or not…I’m not on Glamour or Cosmo commenting because those issues don’t effect me….no matter what ..black women and white women have separate issues..their is no collective sisterhood there.
*there
I know that before CurlySue has said she is White. I honestly have no problem with her commenting here.
+1000
Totally agree. Your actions are what really counts.
@ Ms.Info
Tell us how you really feel ma!
I’m sorry but I really lol’d @the sisterhood, because I thought that we can put the stark differences aside and kumbaya,no?!
*it’s gerring hot in hurr, so take off all your clothes, I am gerrin so hot, I’m gonna take minzes off*——>twerks it out to dat song!!
@ African Mami…You know I love you girl…lol…woooo sssaahhhh
@ Ms.Info,
MUAH!!!!! Much love to you girl!!
Wow check the comments on youtube for this video!!!
Plenty of white nationalist going crazy, dam lol