White Privilege and Colorism (Essay Sample)

White Privilege and Colorism
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The concepts of white privilege and colorism are provocative topics that are immersed in history but continue to be relevant in today`s society. The concepts of white privilege and colorism are provocative topics that are immersed in history but continue to be relevant in today's society. White privilege and Colorism determines one’s opportunities, preference, wealth, education, income, and marriage market. White privilege refers to a system that can be considered socio-political, where power, opportunity, and benefits are unequally distributed among the groups in the society in such a way that people with white or light skin benefit more than those of non-white or non-light skinned. Consequently, Colorism is a form of discrimination or prejudice based on social meanings that people attach on skin color. The skin color discrimination is on education, housing, income, and the marriage market.
According to (McIntosh, 2007) and Rothman (2014), the privileges are above social justice, and they are because of one`s birth circumstances, unearned, and often unacknowledged advantages. The white privilege history can be traced back to after colonization when the Europeans met the Native Americans, and people started describing each other based on their traits, appearance, and ways of life. Those outsides of the European norm were considered savages or beasts who were morally, cognitively, and spiritually inferior. The white privileges include holding and having access to power, wealth, and education. On the other hand, non-white have limited access to power, they are given differential treatment, and are categorized as subordinates.
Colorism is an ill that is felt all over the world. In the USA, with its diverse population, color equally matters as race (Tharps, 2016). The society looks at skin color as a signifier of identity and value. Studies done in the USA indicate that skin color plays a significant role in those that get ahead and those that do not, decide those that get hired and those that get elected. Studies and experiences in American indicate that regardless of qualifications, light-skinned black Americans are preferred at job places than dark-skinned ones. Similarly, dark-skinned American students are more likely to be suspended in school as compared to their light-skinned counterparts.
In conclusion, White privilege a