America's White Fragility Complex Analysis
America’s White Fragility Complex
The concept that all men are created equal and have the right to Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness, is true if you were born a white, upper class male. If you were born of another gender or of a different skin color, or both, you face an uphill battle to thrive, let alone survive. Women face an uphill battle for equal rights, control over their own body, equal pay, respect, and a voice. If you were born a woman of color, the battle you face is also racism and prejudice, which even in today’s time and history, is a huge struggle every day. However, if you entered this world as a white man, especially into the privileged upper class, you have all the rights of Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness …show more content…
They are socially conditioned to think this way from an early age, just as men are socialized to be chauvinistic, women are socialized to be submissive, and transgender and homosexuals are socialized to be ashamed of their sexuality. Whites would like to believe that they have earned their place in society, but the truth of the matter is, they are privileged. White fragility becomes apparent when this is challenged. White people are reluctant to recognize the impact their race has on their lives and on the lives of all those around them. They have a tendency to believe that what they have accomplished in life is totally because of the person that they are, not because of the color of their skin. Whites never think of themselves as a race or group – they are the majority. Therefore, they never have to think about what it means to be “white.” The subject of race is most likely never a conversation in their household because it is not a term that they associate with. On the other hand, I am willing to bet that the subject of race at a person of color’s home, is a frequent conversation. When the issue of race and racism comes up, whites in general, do not want to talk about racism or want to be accused of being a racist. Some stay silent, some are defiant, and some just bury their heads in the sand and lack the racial stamina to deal with this very real issue out of fear or defensiveness. No one likes to be accused of anything negative, such as being called a racist, sexist, or prejudiced in any way, but the truth of the matter is, people only get defensive when the claim is true. So, deep down, white people must know that they are racist or white fragility would not exist. If you are born non-white, you have a race, you live in a segregated environment – schools, jobs, social images – and opportunities can be very limited because you are less privileged. You may feel like
The concept that all men are created equal and have the right to Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness, is true if you were born a white, upper class male. If you were born of another gender or of a different skin color, or both, you face an uphill battle to thrive, let alone survive. Women face an uphill battle for equal rights, control over their own body, equal pay, respect, and a voice. If you were born a woman of color, the battle you face is also racism and prejudice, which even in today’s time and history, is a huge struggle every day. However, if you entered this world as a white man, especially into the privileged upper class, you have all the rights of Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness …show more content…
They are socially conditioned to think this way from an early age, just as men are socialized to be chauvinistic, women are socialized to be submissive, and transgender and homosexuals are socialized to be ashamed of their sexuality. Whites would like to believe that they have earned their place in society, but the truth of the matter is, they are privileged. White fragility becomes apparent when this is challenged. White people are reluctant to recognize the impact their race has on their lives and on the lives of all those around them. They have a tendency to believe that what they have accomplished in life is totally because of the person that they are, not because of the color of their skin. Whites never think of themselves as a race or group – they are the majority. Therefore, they never have to think about what it means to be “white.” The subject of race is most likely never a conversation in their household because it is not a term that they associate with. On the other hand, I am willing to bet that the subject of race at a person of color’s home, is a frequent conversation. When the issue of race and racism comes up, whites in general, do not want to talk about racism or want to be accused of being a racist. Some stay silent, some are defiant, and some just bury their heads in the sand and lack the racial stamina to deal with this very real issue out of fear or defensiveness. No one likes to be accused of anything negative, such as being called a racist, sexist, or prejudiced in any way, but the truth of the matter is, people only get defensive when the claim is true. So, deep down, white people must know that they are racist or white fragility would not exist. If you are born non-white, you have a race, you live in a segregated environment – schools, jobs, social images – and opportunities can be very limited because you are less privileged. You may feel like