The Problem With The Term "White Privilege"
Many people are using the term “white privilege.” The idea is that because you are white, you are privileged in America, and because you are black, you are underprivileged.
There are at least four problems with the notion of “white privilege”.
1) It is racist. It is a generalization about an entire group of people based solely on their race. That in itself is racist.
2) It is racially divisive. It implies that white people are successful because of their whiteness rather than talent and skill. That white people are undeserving of their success. This is offensive to white people and stirs up resentment in black people.
3) It hurts the black community. It implies that black people are unsuccessful because of their blackness rather than their choices. That they are not responsible for their problems. This prevents black people from owning their problems, and in the end, taking personal responsibility is the only real solution and pathway to success. As long as my problems are someone else’s fault, then I can’t solve them.
4) It is unfair. It ignores individual experience. There are many black people who are very privileged, and there are many white people who are very underprivileged. Privilege is not based on skin color, but individual experience. There are all kinds of privilege. You are privileged if you live in America, if you were raised in a two-parent home, if your parents are educated, and if you are athletic, intelligent, attractive, or musically talented. The types of privilege are endless, but white privilege is not one of them.
White privilege is meant to foster "white guilt" and to justify things like affirmative action, reparations, and diversity. But it is only causing discord and division in the church and in society at large. It is an idea that all Christians, black and white, must reject in order to quell racial tensions and unite the church.
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