The Unit VIII: Explain the Meaning of White Privilege (Essay Sample)

White Privilege
Name of Student
Institution
Abstract
This paper explains the meaning of white privilege. It also explores the relationship between white privilege and racism. Also, it describes the effects of white privilege in western societies such as discrimination. Such discrimination attributed to white privilege is evident in areas such as education, housing, and employment.
White Privilege
Determinants of a person’s race are mainly biological. The determinants include physical features such as eye and skin color. For instance, race can be black or white. Determinants of ethnicity are sociological. For example, ancestry, culture, religion, and language. Social change refers to the process by which a society’s culture and institutions are modified during a period. White privilege refers to economic, social, and political privileges that favor white people in western countries and are beyond the reach of non-white races. White privilege is elicited in factors such as freedom of movement and speech, purchasing of goods and items, social status, play, work, and profession. White privilege does not only have an impact on white people but also other races.
W. Du Bois first analyzed white privilege in 1935. He analyzed how the division of white and black wages made white laborers feel more superior. In the struggle for a democratic government in the 1960s, opinion leaders greatly fought against white privilege in their fight. The opinion leaders claimed that white privilege was a source of societal control which did not favor non-white races. The term was also used in the description of racial discrimination at residential areas and legal processes. White privilege concept was also used by black feminists in the 1980s to express the difference between black and white female oppression by males. Black feminists claimed that black women were more oppressed than their white counterparts. They attributed the difference to white privilege.
White Privilege and Economy
It is believed that due to white privilege, whites are accorded more opportunities of creating and accumulating wealth. This is evident in business, education, military, and agricultural sectors. In addition, compared to black people, most white people inherit their wealth from ancestors. This is not so for black people since their ancestors were mainly slaves. Therefore, compared to other races, white people have a foundation in life for wealth creation. This advantage is passed from one generation to another int the white community. Black people have to work harder to acquire property. Part of the wealth of other races such as blacks and Latinos belong to whites. This shows discrimination along history. Even though racism has reduced in America today, the gap in wealth possession is still vast and evident. White privilege is also apparent in taxation policies that ensure subsidization of mortgages, private businesses and employer gifts on income. Also, loan request approvals are more likely to favor white applicants than black applicants despite similarity in qualifications.
White Privilege and Employment
The white community are more exposed to networks of employment as compared to other races. Research shows that Asians in America are less likely to be accorded higher positions in their professions. Sociologist scholars and researchers show in their work that between white and black graduates with the same education and professional qualifications, whites are more likely to be employed. White graduates take a short period getting jobs after graduation compared to blacks. Besides, those employed rise quickly to higher work positions, have more promotions and are paid more. These disparities are as a result of racism. Also, social connections determine employment advantages for graduates more than educational and professional relationships.
Other sociological studies show that human beings tend to socialize more with people of similar features in their surrounding. For instance, whites identify with whites fellow white people. Therefore, in spite of qualifications in experience, age, and education, white employers being majority are prone to employing white people instead of other races.
White Privilege and Housing
Discrimination in home ownership formally began in 1934 with the passing of the act for federal housing. The act not only gave public credit for persons buying homes but also provided all the funds to white people buying homes instead of other races. The Act also ensured movement of white homeowners from residential areas in cities to secluded areas in the outskirts.
White-owned homes are an enormous investment to them. Their homes significantly appreciate in value over time. This is one of the causes of the wealth gap between whites and blacks. Discrimination in the housing industry is elicited by how blacks pay a higher mortgage than whites. In addition, some blacks are also prevented from accessing some housing s...